Home Office Design
Fitted office furniture - Designed, Supplied, and fitted by Webbs
If you thinking of getting a new office space, or improving an old one, we’re going to need to look at what creating a home office entails, what to look out for and, how we can help you create new life, or improve the work area of your home.
Let’s start by thinking about the space you have.
Will you want to create an oasis of calm outside of the style of the rest of your house or, do you want something in keeping with your other rooms to maintain a feeling of connection to your family as you work? Let’s look at some options...
1. CHOOSE A LOCATION THAT BEST SUITS YOU
Let’s be realistic, are you going to need to keep an eye on your kids while you run your small business? Or, do you need to remove yourself from distractions to really get the most out of your work time? How do you work? Will you be working alone or need to collaborate?
The most important thing is where you are located.
For someone needing to be solitary or in a quiet area, a garden office, garage conversion, or attic conversion could give you the space you need.
If you will need to be more involved in the household, making part of your kitchen an office, an old utility room, or even the space under the stairs can be ideal locations.
If you feel you’d need something in the middle, a spare room, or even an area of a main bedroom can become multipurpose, fitting your changing needs as your day changes.
2. WHAT DO YOU NEED?
As part of the plan and design process, we’ll ask you a series of questions to establish what your must haves are. Things like:
How much desk space do you need?
What will you be storing, and how much space will it take up?
Do you have a printer that you’ll need easy access to?
How important is the noise level?
Where will you need the phone line and internet connections?
Will you need book storage?
It’s simple little questions like ‘Which hand do you prefer to use to answer the phone with?’ that are often overlooked.
It’s amazing how much these details change the way you feel while you work. By discovering your needs we’ll ensure you have an office that fits how you work.
3. OFFICE TECH
Plan around the things you can’t do without
Have your desk in a space away from the walls? Do you need to power anything at your desk? How will you run power to it? We’ll help you determine how many power points you need, where they need to be and, how to get the power to them. With our bespoke units, things to remember before we plan, include:
Lighting
Computers
Printer
TV
Music system
Charging points
Maybe a...
Mini fridge?
Tea/Coffee making facilities?
4. GET THE BEST DESK YOU CAN...
...within your budget
How much space do you need? Will you have a computer and separate paperwork area? Using a corner desk can let you split your workspace in two but, consider how storage pillars will affect your seating position and ability to move.
Consider wire tidy options too. You can get them seperate from the desk but, integrated systems work well at keeping your nest of messy wires off the floor and out out the way.
Think about ergonomics. You may be spending a lot of time at your desk. Getting a good fit now will keep your relationship with your office much sweeter. You don’t want to feel any negative thoughts about having to sit down to work.
Webbs consider ergonomics in all our fitting and design services, be it Kitchen, Bedroom, or office. We know what to look for and, we’ll ensure you get a fit you love.
Worried you won't get your perfect office space?
Why not book a consultation with one of our designers and see what we can create for you.
5. SITTING OR STANDING?
A great way to be more mobile while you work is to get a standing desk.
If you’re going for a more comfy work style, a good office chair is vital!
What to look out for in a good office chair:
Make sure it’s adjustable and supportive.
A swivel is always good so you can get to different areas on your desk.
Make sure you try some out before buying one!
6. CLEAN UP CLUTTEr
Fitted office storage
Tidy workspace, tidy mind!
Keep your distractions down and productivity up with all your essentials organised and out of the way.
Keep paperwork accessible, make sure your printer has room for sheets as they come out, consider what you need to hand and make sure it has its place.
Don’t just optimise for functionality. Make sure your workspace is a welcoming area that you want to be in. Having some personal items that aren’t work related will help produce an area you’re happy to be in, a place that’s your own.
7. HOME OFFICE LIGHTING - DONE RIGHT!
When planning the lighting for your home office, remember to allow natural light in the room to blend in with your selected products. For homeworkers who use natural materials, position your desk close to the window to benefit from as much daylight as possible. If you’re working with computers or other screens, make sure you allow for the angles of natural light through the day and avoid glare.
A purpose-designed home office desk lamp is a must-have, but creating the right ambience in a home office is essential, and clever lighting is crucial to achieving it, too. Soften harsh light with a lampshade to set the mood and, if space is at a premium, pendant lighting is a good way to illuminate a room without cluttering it.
8. FITTED HOME OFFICE FURNITURE
Get the very best out of your space. Maximise your storage while keeping everything looking great. We can plan your space, with built in shelving and desks, meaning you can position everything exactly where you need it, even planning around existing features like sockets, windows, awkward alcoves, and heaters.
A Fitted office space is worth the investment if you plan to use the space regularly and want something tailored to fit your needs precisely.
It’s also the best option if you are planning a multifunctional space such as in a guest room or an area of your own bedroom.
We're here to ensure you love your home office - at first sight
Why not book a consultation with one of our designers and see what we can create for you.
9. YOUR WINDOW FROM YOUR WORKING WORLD
Direct, strong light can cause headaches when working at a computer, or not enough light can be an issues if you are working on paper or crafting.
A shutter that compliments the design can help control the amount of light coming in or, a light blind can allow light to come through but soften it enough to reduce glare.
If you’re creating a multifunction bedroom, a blackout blind or curtain is a good option to ensure a good night's sleep.
10. HOME OFFICE FLOORING
We’d recommend a hard wearing wood floor or laminate flooring. It’ll need to stand up to wear in a few well used areas as you’ll no doubt have a place where you sit, and maybe some other area that receives frequent heavy use. Try to mitigate the appearance of wear by choosing a material that will wear well.
A rug can help soften a room, cutting down on harsh acoustics and providing cushioning. Try to select something with a smooth texture and dense pile to aid moving and reduce signs of wear.