Whipping up a workspace that you won’t want to leave

Photo Credit Joelle West Bourne and HoIlingsworth Kitchen, inspiration for our new H&H Design Studio.

Bourne and HoIlingsworth Kitchen. Photograph by Anya Holdstock, inspiration for our new H&H Design Studio.

Imagine if your work space was one of your most cherished parts of your home. A sanctuary you couldn’t wait to escape to with your morning coffee.

Be honest we’ve all let the home office slide down the list of priorities over the past few years in favour of spacious living spaces and stunning kitchens. 

Big news: things have changed and having a dedicated space to work is more important than ever. Plus this has also jumped up the list of priorities for home buyers so long term could add value to your property. Bonus!

So what are the key elements of a perfect work space? 

Keep reading and you’ll find out all about how to create a productive, inspirational space which is particular to you. Considering the whole project from location to lighting and all that’s in-between.

SO LET’S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS.

An integrated household work space at our Mount Park Road project 

Location, location, location

First off you need to establish what you are creating this work space for? 

If working full time from home then this is probably the space in the home you will spend the most time so you want to prioritize it.

Could you have a space with an amazing view for those pondering moments? 

You ideally want to choose a space away from high traffic areas such as the kitchen or living space. A loft conversion is a superb option - quiet and full of light. Or re-purpose an existing room with a great window.

Garden rooms can be stunning work spaces - away from the main house they create real definition between your home and work.

Then again, if you are creating a more informal work space that you will dip in and out of then you will want to locate it near or within your main living space.

Think about it, there is no point in having a study on the other side of the house if you are trying to multi-task or want to be social; it will become a dead space, however well considered work stations within your living space are great for daily activities such as managing household accounts or homework.

So you have your location set - what next?

Natural light floods this work space at our Cleveland Road project - the set back desk protects from the glare.

Well-planned lighting is everything

It’s simple: get the lighting bang on and you are over halfway there to a tip top workspace.

Natural light is key to improving productivity and well being and there are numerous studies which show that those who work in natural light sleep better at night and have fewer eye problems. 

But beware: glare is a huge hindrance to effective working.

Consider the orientation of the glass within your space. If South/West facing then you will have direct sunlight flooding in throughout the day and so need to consider the position of your desk very carefully. In this case your desk should not be positioned with your back to or facing a window - ideally locate your desk adjacent to the glass so you can enjoy the view but avoid the glare. Or alternatively slatted blinds or shutters are great at filtering light.

Beyond that you will need to boost your set up with artificial light. Particularly for North/East facing and those short days during the winter months.

Essentially you need effective task lighting over your work surface - this could be through targeted spot lights or desk lamps.

With the dawn of the virtual meeting you also want to make sure you are lit well. Front facing lighting is the best for a clear flattering shot. Depending on your window position you may want to use a lamp or wall lights behind your laptop to balance the light. 

Be warned: bright windows or lighting behind you will turn you into a silhouette. On the other hand, poor lighting behind you will reduce you to a floating head in a black hole. Use dimmer switches to soften ambient lighting within in the room or add a floor lamp in a dark space. 

Take some time to try out different lighting options in your space using lamps you already have to figure out the best balance before making expensive purchases.

Slick Italian storage unit, TOOLBOX By EmmeBi.

Have the courage to minimize storage

The truth is; What do you actually need to store in your workspace?

Its a critical question to ask yourself ahead of purchasing a designer filling cabinet. In this paperless world one can have too much storage and we all know what that will result in: clutter!

However you do want to take a minimalist approach to your surfaces so make sure you follow that old rule; 

“a place for everything and everything in its place”. 

For starters, closed storage, such as filing cabinets, are great for stationary and files but can become a junk graveyard so make sure they are well divided and well planned.

Likewise open-shelving can be used for a more aesthetic display of items such as reference books. 

Tech, such as printers, needs to be easily accessible. But one things for sure cord management is key to creating a Zen workspace. Your plug sockets need to be planned carefully, but if this is not possible there are many nifty cord consolidating solutions to be found. Consider investing in a fabric extension lead that could be tacked along the wall as a bit of a design feature. 

In a nutshell: plan your space carefully and you will reap the rewards of an organised stress free zone. 

A warm neutral colour palette highlighted with yellow for energy, from our Conningham Road project.

Pick the colour for your work soul

Make no mistake about it, the colour in a space will effect your mood and productivity.

However how we react to colour can be personal. Put it this way, the same colour can ignite very different reactions in us all. 

One things for sure there are some accepted design colour principles that you should consider when devising your new work space. 

Again, question what you are using the space for: Constant or occasional use? High pressure meetings or creative studio?

Whites and greys can carry subtle tints or shades of colour whilst maintaining a soothing atmosphere. This is a way of introducing a feeling without an overload of colour, such as a warm grey, creating a space for focus. Extend this feeling using accent colours to bring energy to your scheme.

Blues and greens are considered cool colours, they are naturally calming. Green is heavily associated with the natural world and evokes tranquil emotions that boost concentration.

Yellows and reds are energy inducing colours, they can make people happy and excited, but also distracted so use sparingly to prevent an intensity overload. 

A word of caution: the colour on your walls will reflect into your room, so if you are using the space as a studio, where you want to see the true colour of samples, stick to a neutral palette.

Generally lighter, brighter colours vitalise and generate a sense of space whereas darker, dull colours subdue and make a space feel smaller. That’s not to say that darker colours don’t have a place in work spaces - a Mad Men style study could really add gravitas to that influential business meeting! 

But the truth is that most of us will have a better sense of well being in a light calm space.

A refreshing wall of plants at our Mount Park Road Project.

A soothing collection of objects at our Eastwood Road project.

Make it personal 

Now you’re ready for the fun part.

Curate decorative elements to create a space that delights you. Somewhere that sparks your creativity when you are having a mental block, or soothes your soul when you are under pressure.

Open shelving is the ideal canvas for a collection of pieces or photographs that inspire you.

Never underestimate the power of plants to influence your productivity and mood. These little guys are oxygen boosting, air purifying and give you a link to to nature and the outside world. Plant care can give you a therapeutic break in your working day.

Select art or prints that will motivate you in those pondering moments, placing them in your sight line from your desk, especially if you don’t have a view to gaze at.

But let’s not forget, this is a space for focus not distraction so be considered and limited in your choices.

A great zoom backdrop is also something to think about. Balance is needed here, you don’t want it to detract from you, however it can be a useful tool to enhance your professional persona.

Think about it, you will have a lot more confidence instructing an accountant with an organised bookshelf behind then versus a cluttered pile of papers.

It really is that simple: those finishing touches will perfectly tailor the space to you.

Don’t forget the Kids! At our Cleveland Road project.

The bottom line

Now it’s your turn.

Where could you place an awesome work space in your home?

A room filled with natural light. 

Somewhere you can layer up lighting and great storage pulled together with a focused but energising colour palette.

A place you can make your own with those personal touches to spark your imagination.

I’M READY. ARE YOU?

Take a look at our Pinterest page for more inspiration.

And if you have a bigger project in mind then get in touch.