WORKING FROM HOME
As we start a new year, we are more and more settled in our home offices for the long run. This is a great opportunity to review some of the most creative tips our Interior Collab Members have gathered from working from home this past year. Read on for some great tips from our seasoned Designers.
by Silvana Vergara
March 18, 2021
Scout out perfect space within your home.
Finding the perfect spot to set up our work space is the first challenge we face to carve out a space that avoid distractions and allows us to layout materials we need to work with.
Collab Designer Allegra Muzzillo suggests you make sure it’s in a quiet space—never in a bedroom or any place that isn’t conducive to actual work, such as the kitchen. Collab President Gala Magrina adds that it’s preferable to find a room with a closed door as close as possible to natural light as it regulates our bodily functions and alertness levels throughout the day.
For Magrina, the second best option is to find a nook within your home where you can tuck yourself away. Muzzillo came up with a great idea to carve out room if you live in a small space: convert a closet, build out a custom desk or buy one that fits EXACTLY into the space so it looks custom. If you choose this route, make sure a chair fits, and reserve the option to close the door to hide it away when you’re not working, especially if you’re not overly tidy.
The image below is a perfect example of a desk within a closet area by Collab Designer Ruchi Mohan.
Photo and Design by Design By Ruchi
Find the perfect desk
Once you find your ideal nook or room within the house you will need to start adding the necessary elements to turn the space into your 9 to 5 retreat. The first step is to set up a work surface or desk. Size and height is the most important. How much space do you have and how much do you need. Think of the type of work you’ll be doing and how far you will need to spread paper work, binders and other materials.
Magrina recommends doing a solid desk versus glass as they can scratch easily and also can cause a bad glare during the day.
For those looking for a different alternative Muzzillo adds: “I always think it looks so chic to use a desk that isn’t actually a desk, but a lovely vintage or modern dining table or farmhouse table repurposed as desk space. If you have the luxury of having a lot of space, I’d put it in the center of a room, with additional seating in front. A comfy lounger (possibly with an ottoman) is key, too, when you’d just like to brainstorm with a cup of coffee somewhere other than at your computer.”
Below is a beautiful desk solution by Thonet, launched for Salone del Mobile in 2015, which blends beautifully with the décor and acts as a statement piece.
Allegory Desk by GamFratesi for Gebrüder Thonet, launched at Salone del Mobile 2015 in Milan. Image courtesy of Gebrüder Thonet.
Invest in a chair
Let’s face it, you will be sitting on it for hours and hours. If there is one thing you should splurge on, it’s a good chair. It will save you a few trips to the chiropractor. Consider it an investment in your health.
Collab Designer Ruchi Mohan agrees: “The desk chair is so personal to everyone, and unlike many other things, this is NOT a family decision. My clients in the finance industry who have fully dedicated home offices usually favor the Aeron chair from Herman Miller. I truly consider it an investment if you work long hours and in a high stress environment.”
Photo courtesy of Design by Ruchi , Photo cred: Daniel Wang
Chairs are often statement pieces in any decoration. With office chairs its tricky, because they look too…well, office! Ideally you would want a chair that is an intersection between comfort and aesthetics, so if you find one that fits that criteria, just hold on to it. “Poppin makes some really comfortable chairs that also look really good, which is hard to find!”, suggests Gala.
Add some love to your nook
If you’re going to spend most of your day in this corner of your home, think of adding some personal details and accessories that can make your work area feel more pleasant. Plants, for instance, are usually great to soften the environment from too much visual clutter and they are great air purifiers.
Gala Magrina says “A small plant and table lamp always makes it feel a little more welcoming and homey. I also have some of my favorite crystals next to me and like to hold them throughout the day to help ground or focus.”
Allegra Muzzillo adds: “ I love bookends! They’re versatile and you can put a few of the reference books you use most between them so you can immediately grab them. Bonus: When you put anything back between two bookends, your space automatically looks polished and organized. Currently I’m using 2 large bookends to stand papers up, similar to a vertical desk organizer. Likewise, attractive organizational items are pretty much a must-have. Poppin makes the cutest file cabinets and color-forward desk organizers, and I LOVE repurposing vintage items, for example, a mint julep or trophy cup to corral pens, pencils, and scissors. Anything that doesn’t scream: “I’m a home office item” has me at hello. Also, this isn’t decorative, but for health and fresh air, I like personal humidifiers and/or aromatherapy diffusers either on-desk or close to my work area. Another thing—if you have a lot of windows, invest in a couple of sticky anti-glare shields.”
Photo courtesy of Design by Ruchi Photo cred: Daniel Wang
Divide and store
For small spaces, it is a good idea to compartmentalize or visually divide the space especially if you’re work area is not particularly neat. A room divider can often double as storage and you can get very creative options for surprisingly affordable prices.
Magrina, for instance, suggest the famous IKEA KALLAX freestanding open book shelf. You can style it with books, plants and objects and it serves as a wonderful divider between spaces.
Photo courtesy of Elaine Burns Photo cred: Tara Kiernan
Photo courtesy of Elaine Burns Photo cred: Tara Kiernan
The images above and right show a project by Collab Designer Elaine Burns in Brooklyn, which has a unique room divider solution using floor-to-ceiling window shutters to create a clear division of space.
Light it up!
As much as you want to take care of your back with a good chair, it is imperative to have a well-lit work area to take care of your eyes and your overall wellbeing. All designers will agree, this is one of the key elements in any type of office. As Gala points out more specifically, work space lumens should be in the 4K-5K range.
It is recommended to complement ceiling lights with task lights. Muzzillo expands on this: “Task lighting is what you need most—along with a decently lit space with a ceiling light to balance everything out and eliminate nasty shadows. Also, LED lamps that can be dimmed and/or give off a range of light (even colored light) are really cool, too, and help with shadows casting over onto the work area.”
Designer Ruchi Mohan also recommends articulating table lamps as they can be moved and pointed as and where required.
At left is a great task light by Arne Jacobsen in 1960 featured as a home office essential here.
Pick the right color palette
Picking a color palette is a very personal choice, you should go with a color palette that resonates with you, one you feel comfortable looking at day in and day out. Muzzillo urges her clients to choose whatever color that makes them feel most productive—nothing too bright, not tons of metallics that glint in the afternoon sun. Muted earth tones are pleasing while being soft enough to recede into the background when you’re trying to concentrate on the tasks at hand.
On the flip side Magrina recommends following Feng Shui guidelines using bright colors like yellows and oranges. In Feng Shui these are called "Yang" colors. They are associated with the masculine and sun and help uplift and energize, which is great for being in work mode.
In addition to some touches of color, you can consider adding some texture such as wood furniture or shelving, which adds warmth to the space.
It is incredible how the smallest changes to your surrounding environment can improve your mindset, comfort, and productivity, especially when working from home. Whether your remote workspace is temporary, or it has shifted to a more permanent state, a thoughtful approach and minor upgrades can make a world of difference in a space that you are spending the majority of time in. We hope you found these tips helpful.
Design by Leibal Photography by Sebastian Mowka
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