The Future of Work: The Best Home Office Set-Up

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly transformed the reality of our working lives. We’ve gone from work trips and commuting to the office to back-to-back Zoom calls from our dining tables; from hot-desking and cafe meetings to conducting case studies while managing kids and pets. Whatever your situation, the professional lives we led pre-pandemic have changed. And the implications of this are only just starting to unfold: for just how long will we be working from home? The answer remains to be seen. So to keep up the professionalism and productivity from our private dwellings, we need to improve our makeshift workspaces.

The best home office set-up

Working from bed or the couch is unlikely to be very motivating in the long term, despite the allure. Yet most of us don’t have a spare room in our apartment, waiting to be redecorated into an office. The good news is, even the tiniest corner can be upgraded. Ideally, the best home office setup should create a space within a space, like a desk near a window for natural light and fresh air, or a cupboard-turned office space with access to light and electricity.

A new way of working

There are obviously many benefits to working from home, as well as some challenges. More flexibility, zero commuting, and home chores during breaks are advantages. However, the lack of human interaction and change in scenery can impact willpower and productivity, not to mention idleness. Small touches like a lamp, a plant or some artwork will add some atmosphere to your setup, and a proper chair and desk will help you feel focused, comfortable, and ready to work.

Designing your own contemporary home office

There are endless ways to design your home office, and it will depend on the space you have, and your individual interior preferences. Our tip is to keep it simple, with a bright space that is secluded from tempting distractions such as TV and snacks. If you prefer the minimalist style, stick to a material palette of wood, with pared-back ornamentation and a white or muted colour scheme. If you’re the opposite, pops of colour, stacks of books, and vibrant rugs should decorate the space.

A minimalist home office

Minimalism is one of the most important movements in contemporary art and design. A minimalist interior is characterised by uncluttered, monochromatic spaces, with clean lines, natural light, and a “less is more” aesthetic. To create a minimalist home office, follow the aforementioned attributes. Every object or piece of furniture should be functional and add value to your space – if it doesn’t, gift it to someone else who needs it.

The best office space planning

Whether your home office looks like a fully separated room, a nook in your living room or a pull-out shelf is up to you. But organising your office to maximise space is important. Create a floor plan to determine which ways your home will work best. Things like shelving, filing cabinets or cupboards for storage are important. And if you don’t have a huge amount of natural light, strategic placement of mirrors can reflect sunlight around the space, which will brighten up your day and make your home office more serene.