Super Chic Sophisticated Office...
COVID 19 has for sure changed how we live, work and prosper…. Many of us have become inventive as to how to survive under the new stay at home regulations and rules. Everything is about keeping us safe and healthy, keeping our distance from others and being scrupulously aware of our surroundings and not touching areas that have come in contact with many hands. It is all so overwhelming and unnerving one has to think is this the new way of life as we know it.
Adapting to this new normal has indeed been a challenge whether you are single, have a family or are retired, everyone has had to adapt, change how they do things and become quite creative and things that we have taken for granted are now things that require innovation and change.
Working from home used to be in some ways a luxury and only really obtainable for a few. I personally dreamed and loved the idea of working from home, anything not to have to get up at the crack of dawn to spend almost an hour and a half or two on the freeway to get to work and then anywhere from two and half to three hours to get home. I always fancied the idea of rolling out of bed in my PJ’s and logging on to a computer with coffee in hand and none the wiser! That was then and this is now, who could have imagined the world would be in this extraordinary place of social distance and self quarantine!
Color Palette
Floor Plan
Being that many of us have been thrust into working from home, school, office or otherwise we have to find that perfect spot, quiet place where we can concentrate, focus, and be the most productive. Ideally you want to be away from any distractions, TV obviously or by windows that look out on to busy goings on.
If you are fortunate enough to have an extra room in the house, guest bedroom, den or junk room, perfect, these can always be re-organized or redesigned to accommodate an office environment or study area. However if you don’t have an extra room to spare and you need to create an open office space, then a corner of a room, area behind a sofa in the living room or even under the stairs, all have great possibilities. Whatever the case may be, try to create a space that is stylish and comfortable, after all just because its an office doesn’t mean it needs to be dull and uninviting, this is going to be an area where you spend some valuable time so personalize with paintings or pictures, knick knacks and things that make you happy. Although it is so important to designate an area that is either for work or study, it should be an area you find comfort in yet keeps you focused, accountable and productive too.
Material Render
When designing an office or open area study area consider the size and function of the space and your personal needs first, do you need a full desk or small writing surface, credenzas, storage systems, bookcases, guest seating, printer area etc. Everyone’s needs are different and there are a number of ways to accommodate.
Make yourself a floor schematic of the room or niche area to see what allowances you have for furniture. Consider floor area and traffic clearances and delineate that area accordingly using decorative partitioning or a stylish area rug. If you are fortunate enough to have space for storage units, credenzas or dressers, all make for nice options, however if space is limited, wall-shelving and mobile storage systems are great alternatives.
Finally, make it yours, add some decorative touches, painting, photographs, sentimental items and arrange in a way that are visible so when you are taking a breather, your attention momentarily is drawn to a fond memory, a recollection or just a beautiful painting, something that brings you joy and happiness, because at this moment in time, we could all use a little of that right now!
Home offices are here to stay, and many companies are jumping on board with allowing their employees to work from home. The days of working remotely is expected to be the new normal as technology has made it increasingly achievable through online communications like Skype and Zoom. To be able to work from home, once considered a luxury for some, has become attainable for many in a positive way, it allows you to tackle multiple responsibilities from the safety of your own home, and be there for the people who matter the most in your life, your family….priceless!!
Stay safe, stay healthy, keep 6 ft apart until we can all go back to normal…! xo
