From YourHome.ca:

By: Colin McAllister & Justin Ryan of Colin and Justin’s Home Heist

Sometimes a small alcove in a home can be turned into a tidy, stylish office like this niche space, which is only about six-foot-square.

Business, darlings, is booming; on the home front, at least. Sure, there’s a global hesitation and house prices have stabilized, but, when it comes to working under one’s own roof, more of us than ever before are doing it. As Canadians we (yes, we know – but permit us this indulgence as our quest for citizenship endures) have more space per household than most Europeans and more square footage than many Americans. So let’s use it properly.

Locating your home office

With a little jiggery pokery, even the most unassuming nook can be successfully commandeered. Space under stairs, or the landing between floors, is potentially perfect fodder. Even your mud room can be cleverly replanned to accommodate a desk, computer link and seating. Hey, one minute you’re unbuckling your outdoor shoes … next thing you’re checking share values!

Out of the closet

Walk-in wardrobes make great compact offices. Build a floating desk to instantly create the perfect work zone. Wire it to provide overhead lighting and install plug points – one above and one below your counter – to take care of standard office equipment.

Choosing furniture

Good home office furniture shouldn’t look like regular office furniture. Instead of selecting a filing cabinet with typically industrial aesthetics, use a regular drawer set to store paperwork. If you already have a small storage chest, make it “do the business” by installing easy-fit compartmentalized filing racks to provide ample stash space for all your requirements.

Bedroom business

Create a visibly “blurred” dual function in your guest room. Opt for a sofa bed (so there’s room for a desk) and allow your home business to blossom. Simply pack up office paraphernalia and unfold comfy overnight sleeping accommodation as required.

The business of dining

Could be that all you need to run an efficient home office is enough space at your dining room table to position a laptop. For best results, set aside a couple of drawers in your hutch to keep paperwork and ancillary home office stationary out of sight.

Planning a home office

Now you’ve decided where your home office is going, let’s look at how it’ll work on a daily basis. How much furniture can you squeeze in without congesting your space? Is there room for a regular-sized desk? Or will space dictate you need to buy one with smaller than standard proportions?

Whichever desk you choose, whether custom or shop-bought, ensure it has good ergonomics. Wrists need around six inches of “rest space” in front of the keyboard and elbows need at least 20 inches either side to articulate properly. Ensure legs can move comfortably underneath without feeling restricted, allow sufficient room for filing cabinets to open properly, and space plan so you can reach shelves or cabinetry without having to overstretch.

Organizing clutter

Don’t let office paraphernalia run away with itself or you’ll ruin productivity. When we’re putting together projects, we always include discreetly positioned baskets and drawers to organize every detail. Remember – a cluttered office reflects clutter in other areas of your life.

The softening effect

Incorporate non-work-related aspects (such as family photos or objects with sentimental value) to ensure you feel “personalized” in your chosen office corner. If everything is too clinical, output will be affected. If possible, try and locate your office near a window. A view toward the garden or a busy street will help you remain alert and focused.

Choosing colour

Dramatic mood can be comfortably added in certain home zones via confident decorating but we’d recommend that in the work-from-home environment you play things at a rather more sedate tempo.

Even public access Internet cafes know what they’re doing by styling venues in a low-key – and never over-the-top – manner. With visitors paying by time, it’s in their best interest to keep you focused on the job and not propelled out the door courtesy of distracting decor. Which means everyone is happy – you get more work done and they get the revenue.

Working on a similar principle to this we’d suggest creating a subtle background for your home office design. Almond shades, soft taupes, subtle yellows and light greens are organic tones that will relax you so your concentration remains fixed on the matter in hand – getting the job done. As is generally the case in compact spaces (whatever their function), it’s best to add colour via accessories.

Keep rooms style-conscious but remember that less is often more. Could be all you need is a lovely piece of art to provide limited distraction or a strategically placed scatter cushion. Or perhaps a brightly coloured ceramic to add a little visual punch in an otherwise corporate (albeit domestic) world.

Lighting

Setting atmosphere via lighting is always important, not least in the home office. Too much glare and you’ll distract a productive mood, too little and your workspace will feel dull.

Throughout our designs (whether TV or private commission) we’re all about a considered combo of “task” and “mood” lighting, and so, with this in mind, add a desktop lamp (preferably one with angle poise construction that can be twisted and directed as required) and sufficient overhead lighting to create perfect balance. And don’t forget to install one of our tried and tested instant mood fixers – the good old Canadian dimmer switch; 20 bucks of hardware for serious light level flexibility.

TIPS

Get rid! Don’t keep every scrap of correspondence that enters your home. Be vigilant about recycling – only retain what you actually need. Wherever possible, try and run a paper free office and consign what you can to (a backup) computer file.

Unify! Unify mismatched office furniture with a coat of paint or spray varnish. Co-ordinating in this way can create wonderfully streamlined effects.

Go wireless – even modest economic outlays can reap serious rewards. Rid yourself of that dangerous tangle of trip-hazard wiring and tidy up.

Hide remaining hardware: Printers, fax and photocopiers can easily hide behind closed doors to free up counter space. A reworked living room hutch or armoire can be compartmentalized to house an astonishing amount of office kit – not to mention all your paperwork – close at hand.

Keep it light: Leave corporate colours to the corporate world. Forget that dreary palette of dark shades and gloomy mahogany. And, while you’re at it, ditch the green and burgundy leather that typifies the ’70s. Choose a scheme that’s light and fresh so your office wakes you up instead of sending you to sleep.

Balance the budget. You DON’T have to employ a master carpenter to create a workable study. Careful selection of budget furniture (Ikea has a great home office department) or second-hand items will help create the perfect space while leaving you with spare funds for accessories.

Remember the comfort factor – if space permits, try and incorporate some elements of soft furnishings and treat yourself to a little relaxation between bouts of productivity. And remember – one good sofa or chaise is generally better than a squashed selection of chairs and stools.

Keep your dramatic predilections in tow and follow fashion – with care. Okay, while certain style mag editors insist you follow the runway trends of Paris and Milan, we – while certainly not shy to include fashion chez nous – counsel caution. It’s simple (and less expensive) to change your clothes on a whim, but just try changing your interior when the same editors announce that “green is the new black.” You’ll feel you’re living in a space that is decidedly last season!

Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan are the hosts of HGTV’s Colin & Justin’s Home Heist (Tuesdays at 10 p.m.). Go to hgtv.ca/homeheist and colinandjustin.tv for more on the Scottish design team.

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