The Coronavirus pandemic continues to rage on around the world, with a fresh surge of cases even in India. Most workplaces in the country had started operations a few times a week, but now, most have downed shutters indefinitely. This means that you will probably extend your WFH (Work From Home) schedule for a few more weeks or months.
Since you are working from home, it is important to have a dedicated space from which you can operate. This space requires a working Internet connection, electrical plug points for your laptop and mobile phone, storage area for work-related paraphernalia, etc. Want some ideas for a stylish home office? Here goes:
This is one hack most people don’t think of, and it saves a lot of space. Imagine putting a bulky desk in an already cramped living room, or taking up floor space that you could have used better. Instead, this hack makes the desk invisible and helps you use up the dead space behind the sofa. If the space is too restricted, a small openable desk flap is better. Make it a foldable piece using high quality fittings that are sturdy and noiseless.
Who says you need separate tables for different functions? Have the same table top do double duty as a working space and dining table. If you have an open kitchen plan, install a high counter with a couple of bar stools. This space can be used for working out of, without taking up space in the living room or bedroom for a dedicated work area. Also, you don’t lose the functionality of the counter that can also be a dining table for two. Or if you want a table top in the living room, install a plank and have the space below it made into a bookcase to save space and create storage for office materials.
Every home has a ‘dead area’ which does not fit into the floor plan, or which cannot be utilised in a functional way. Why not make a working nook in such a space? Install shelves at the top, a study table on the floor, and wall mount your desktop computer monitor to free up the table top space for a printer or scanner/copier. Use handleless drawers in a confined space as this one. Be sure to ventilate the area with a pedestal fan or look for ways to divert natural air to the nook.
If you want to locate your work desk in your bedroom, you can create a modular shelving solution against a smaller wall for an interesting effect. Paint the shelf brackets in different colours and have three drawers just below the table top to store your laptop, papers, files and office stationery. Again, handleless drawers are best for this arrangement.
Some homes have passages that end up in dead spaces. There are no doors leading out of the passage to other rooms. Most people make pantries or dry storage areas in such spaces – you should make a working area there. Install a fan on the ceiling, a desk, pendant light and base cabinets with shelves and drawers. This makes for a distraction-free working area that is simple and functional too.
The simplest way to segregate your working space from the rest of the home is to physically partition it off. Use a curtain or a wooden screen in the living room or bedroom, behind which you can place your work desk, chair and other office paraphernalia. Once your working area is set up, you can accessorise it with a softboard, shelves, posters and even textured walls. But be sure to use high quality furniture fittings so that shelves can remain anchored securely, and cabinet drawers and shutters work smoothly and without noise. We hope these ideas get you on the right track to designing your home office. Good luck!
20 Comments
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
September 2021
Categories |