The New (WFH) Normal

 As we get closer to ushering in a new year, many of us have realized that our daily routines won't return to normal any time soon. Children are remote learning. Offices are still off limits. Unfortunately a great deal of us are working from home, and have been doing so for quite some time. While the commute may be fantastic, the distractions of trying to conduct business while family members are all around us is daunting.

At first, most of us pieced together a temporary workstation, perhaps at the end of a dining room table or atop a kitchen island counter. As the pandemic dragged on, employers saw that remote working wasn't as bad as they'd feared and now, here we are. Even if you had already rushed to Ikea in hopes of transforming an existing guest room into one that could perform double duty, you probably hadn't thought out what a productive, peaceful workspace should look like. Luckily, there are designers that have done this for you.

 A dedicated home office is at the top of the list for many home buyers now and WFH employees are seeing the value of investing in a functional, attractive space where they are spending a huge portion of the day. Here is some inspiration for you... from the sky's the limit, to cold hard reality and every budget in between.

One Wall Design With Freestanding Desk

This spacious, custom office is probably not in the budget for most of us, but it has all the elements of good design that can be easily translated to a typical home. A desk is set up in front of a wall of storage. On the other end of the room is a seating area. Couple this with a comfortable desk chair and coordinating draperies and you can get a similar look for a fraction of the cost.

T Shaped Design

The above office uses a one wall design and places the desk perpendicular to it, forming a T shape. This type of design takes up less space and can accommodate two people working in the same space. You can create a similar look and function with store bought cabinets and desk as well. It is good to note that with all these examples, do not forget the importance of adequate lighting. If your room does not have recessed lighting, supplement it with floor and table lamps.

L Shaped Office Design

Walls on two adjoining sides is referred to as L shaped. This type of setup works well for someone whose work requires them to access files frequently. Carpet is not recommended, as chair wheels will have difficulty maneuvering back and forth from file and computer areas.

U Shaped Office Design

A U shaped office is just that, three walls that come together in the shape of a U. While it looks as if this style requires a lot of space, it can be achieved in spaces no larger than laundry, mud rooms or small bedrooms that used to be nurseries. The benefit of this design is that two people can comfortably work in the same space, with each having adequate storage and counter space.

Don't have a room you can dedicate to an office? No problem. Here are two examples that prove you can have a functional and good looking work area anywhere in your home.

Open Space Office Design

This homeowner utilized an unused wall bordering a staircase. This would work just as well for remote school learning as it would for traditional WFH applications. And when children return to regular school, this is great for a homework, bill paying or craft area.

One Wall Office

The above layout would look fantastic on one end of a great room, whether you have the space for one or two desks. It is the traditional one wall design, so it takes up the least amount of square footage in a home, while providing the maximum functionality.  Note: because these two examples are out in the open for everyone to see, choose appealing materials and keep the work areas clutter free when they are not in use.

What if your budget just won't accommodate a large investment right now? Again, no problem! Here are two examples of budget friendly offices.

One Wall Office With Freestanding Desk

Does that bookcase look familiar? Yes, it's from our favorite big box retailer that has awesome meatballs too. This is the same layout as the first photo, a one wall design with a free standing desk, only it is using readily available materials. Add some floating shelves and accessories and you'll have a very budget friendly office by the end of the day.

Freestanding Desk Home Office

 

Need an office, but have no money to spend? Go shopping around your house. This look was achieved with furniture they already owned. With a little style and creativity, you can come up with a warm, world traveller look. Start by removing everything from the room, leaving it a blank canvas. Bring in items one at time, starting with the desk, and move it around to different areas to find its best placement.

Then add items slowly making sure not to overcrowd the space.  And again, don't forget proper lighting. Finally, add accessories that won't distract you, only inspire.  After all, you're supposed to be working.

As you can see, whether you have a large budget or no budget at all, there's no excuse to not have a functional work from home office. Invest a little time, and invest in yourself.