As more of us work from home (or bring work home after doing it all day) it's important to carve out a space that answers our work needs. This usually includes a comfortable chair, a reasonably sized work surface and perhaps some storage. For the lucky ones, an extra bedroom can serve as the perfect home office. The rest of us need to figure out a way to integrate a home office into the general living space without detracting from it. I think this article in the NY Times does a great job of offering smart solutions.
Before and After
The picture above shows the before and after of a living room with a stylish workspace. I'm a big fan of the glass/trestle leg desk for adding functional surface space without a lot of visual weight. How big a fan? I've got the same set up in my own teeny apartment. The designer used an asian style cabinet as an end table next to the sofa which also provides file storage.
Here are some important things to consider when trying to intergrate a home office into another space. 1.Carefully consider the style of the other pieces in the room. A chrome and glass desk looks silly in a more traditional style room. 2. A sofa/console table is a great option instead of a traditional desk if you're working on a laptop since it takes up minimal room and can be repurposed for entertaining. 3. Small cabinets, storage boxes and baskets are easy ways to hold supplies without sacrificing style. 4. If you're going to keep desk supplies out, invest in something a little nicer than whatever is on sale at Staples. Stores like Home Goods and Target offer attractive options.
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