Workspace Revolution

Until just over a year ago a “study” was one of those rooms one expected to have in grander homes than the ones most of us live in. Now, of course, a home workspace is essential and even post-pandemic they are here to stay.

New home builders have swiftly responded to this need and as interior designers, we have had to come up with often ingenious ways of working practical and attractive home offices into house designs that have not suddenly increased in size to accommodate these additional requirements. In most cases, the second or guest bedroom has now become an office and in larger properties, the separate study is now a major selling point. And we are getting more and more requests in both the showhome and private client sector to design “garden pods”. Garden sheds have always been a UK obsession and now the tools and junk must find somewhere else to live as the little wooden building at the bottom of the garden is now transformed into a fabulous home office separate from the main house.

In a typical new build show home/apartment the open plan living space now almost always includes a desk and storage, or a part of the living room is devoted to this purpose. Also, in most bedrooms, the dressing table doubles up as a work area and all children’s rooms have the same facility.

When designing a home office there are several considerations, for instance how much actual time is spent at the desk, how much equipment and storage is required and what type of work is being carried out. Manufacturers have quickly jumped on the bandwagon and the range of stylish, but practical chairs, desks and storage have increased dramatically. Generally, we prefer to design and build our own custom storage units to complement our designs.

It’s always good to have new challenges in design and the past year has been an exciting one from this point of view if from no other!

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