Elevate Your Home Office From Makeshift to Magnificent 

Hybrid and remote working are the new norm for many. Even those returning to the office are often doing so part-time. If you regularly work from home, you deserve a dedicated home office space that exudes opulence, elegance and comfort. So, if you’re still working from a temporary home office post-pandemic, it’s time to elevate your working-from-home space from something functional to fabulous.

Read on for tips on how to upgrade your temporary working solution into a beautiful home office that the family is going to have to pull you away from!

A colour scheme to match your mood

Your home office hue needs to be conducive to a productive environment. Personal preference is important, but equally salient is picking a palette that encourages the output you desire from your work.

Those after something to encourage focus, calm and remain distraction-free should choose softer, neutral or organic tones, like Pantone’s Colour of Year, Mocha Mousse.

Prefer your space to spark energy and creativity? Opt for something brighter.

If your role is more the ‘heads-down’ kind and you like to feel entrenched in your work, a darker colour can create a comforting cocoon within an office.

Colour drenching is worth considering if you want to camouflage your office space within a multi-functional room. Our award-winning interior design project for a luxury home office. We worked closely with our client to design a modern, eclectic, and timelessly beautiful interior with designated living and office areas. Making the best use of a finite amount of space in a beautiful Grade II listed mansion in London.

Pick the perfect pair – choosing your desk and chair

Your desk is probably the most prominent (and practical) item in your home office. 

This means you need something both workable and wonderful. A desk that dominates the space, whilst ticking all of your functional boxes. 

Your material of choice should reflect the look and mood of your home office. Stone and wood options emulate an organic neutral feel, whilst high gloss and lacquer options ooze grandeur and professionalism.

An appropriate office chair is also a key component to any working from home space. You want to ensure you’re sitting on something that will provide support all day, whilst remaining a beautiful centrepiece.

Be a stickler for storage

There is a wealth of choice when it comes to home office storage. Your decision should be considered based on what feels right for the space and preferred look.

Bespoke shelves are ideal for those working from unique or multi-functional spaces.

If the area is a bit tight for large storage solutions, look for furniture that includes smart storage.

For a calmer, more decluttered aesthetic, opt for sophisticated, closed storage options that look smart from the outside whilst having plenty of space for your office belongings inside.

Alternatively, go for an open option, for example, a bookshelf, to display personal items, decorative accessories and leather-bound books to create a one-of-a-kind feel.

Display cabinets are perfect for showcasing awards and accolades – whether they’re yours or the families’! Down lighting can also be added for extra emphasis.

How’s the view?

Having an attractive view from your desk is important for those moments when you just need to look up and take a breath.

Positioning yourself in view of a window is always the top choice, as you’ll benefit from natural light and the ever-changing view. If you’re often on video calls, consider the placement of your desk to ensure you’re not regularly bathed in glare or shadow.

If looking out of the window isn’t an option, consider adding points of interest in the room to spark creativity and allow your eyes a rest from the screen.

Oversized plants and large pieces of wall artwork inject personality into a room. For those in multi-functional spaces, a large canvas can also be leaned against office equipment to hide it away at the end of the day.

Add ceramics and various ornaments for a personal touch and to give you a selection of interesting items to admire. 

Where possible, avoid positioning yourself in front of a wall, as this is less likely to spark productivity or joy. If that’s not possible, printed wallpaper is a great way to inject excitement into an otherwise uninteresting view.

Are you expecting visitors?

If clients regularly meet at your home office, or you often invite others to work with you, it’s important to consider any additional furniture you need to cater to them.

For clients visiting for meetings or sessions, consider your options for guest seating. You want something comfortable but not too ‘loungy’ to emulate a professional feel.

If others have come to work alongside you, a larger desk or boardroom table may be a better choice to avoid anyone perching off the kitchen table or working on their lap.

Year-round lighting

The right lighting is fundamental to making your home office sing. You want something luxurious and sophisticated, not stark and commercial.

Natural light is wonderful, but not always something we can rely on as the evenings get darker. Layered lighting ensures you’re covered for any need, all year round. 

When it comes to overheads, pendant lighting or chandeliers offer a lot of visual appeal, even when not in use. Layer with table and wall lights that can easily be switched on as the sun starts to set. 

Shelf and furniture lighting is a great way to highlight room features and create a cosy feel, whilst smart lighting and LED strips are good for reflecting your mood. If you’ve opted for a more neutral colour pallette, this will allow you to switch things up based on how you’re feeling – or the mood you want to provoke.

A strategically placed mirror is a great way to bounce more light around your home office.

Considerations for home offices in multi-functional spaces

When it comes to designing an area for work, there is a difference between creating a dedicated home office room, versus sectioning off part of an existing room – like a dining room or living room – for work.

We’ve sprinkled some tips for multi-use spaces throughout this post; however, a tailored interior design solution is likely the best route if you’re hoping to seamlessly integrate an office area into an existing room.

If you have a dedicated room for a home office, but need to share it with others in the household, ensure it will work well for everyone using it. 

Whether you’re co-habiting in your office with a partner or keeping an eye on kids as they complete their homework, consider how to encourage communication and collaboration. Or, when separation is required, use zoning so it’s clear who can use what!

If you require bespoke office furniture to fit a specific space or cleverly hideaway tech at the end of the day, we have a host of experience incorporating luxury office areas into dual-purpose spaces and would be happy to discuss your unique needs.

From makeshift to magnificent

The working world has changed and it’s time to create a space that is opulent, comfortable and somewhere you enjoy working from.

From a bespoke desk or storage solution to fit a quirky space, to an end-to-end designed home office, the team at Juliettes Interiors is here to elevate your working from home experience.