Flexible Working
Whether you’re desperate to get back to the office or perfectly content with the new WFH world, the reality for many of us over the coming months is likely to be an evolving hybrid of the two. Which means that our homes need to switch seamlessly between productive, professional backdrop and off-duty, personal space. Architect and interiors expert Dara Huang shares her advice for making your home stylishly flexible, no matter how small the space you’re working with.
Get into the zone
If you’re trying to set up an office within an open-plan space, you need to create invisible boundaries so that you have a clearly defined dining area, living room or workspace. Without that kind of hierarchy and division between work and quiet areas, it can be jarring mentally and hard for your brain to know when to switch off.
Tidiness is everything
No matter how often you’re working from home, you’ll want to clear surfaces of anything work-related at the end of the day, especially if you don’t have a separate office that you can close the door on; it’s the fastest way to reclaim your living space. All the stuff that covers a work desk is so chaotic – the mouse and keyboard, iPhone, chargers, papers – so invest in baskets and boxes that you can store things in and have one that you use to clear your laptop and papers into each evening. And, if you can, install a grommet into the back of your desk so that cables and chargers can be neatly hidden away. Creating neatness and order is the easiest way to get your house looking really good – and it will make you feel less stressed.
Avoid clutter but make it personal
Take the time to organise shelves and surfaces, especially if they’re going to act as the backdrop to your Zoom calls. Style them with books, photos of your family and things that you’ve collected throughout your life that tell a story – it’s important to make every part of your home very ‘you’ – but don’t be tempted to overfill them; be sure to leave negative space between objects.
Focus on lighting
Dedicated task lighting will help you to concentrate as well as being more energy efficient. And, if there’s more than one person trying to meet deadlines in the same space, it will allow everyone to light individual areas in a way that works for them. Invest in a standout lamp specifically for your desk that you’ll love to look at outside of working hours.
Bring the outside in
In an ideal world, we’d all be sitting in front of a window with a beautiful view to enjoy while we work. But if the only place you can set up your laptop is a corridor or a tucked-away corner in your house, adding greenery is a great way to improve both your mood and the air quality. You can start small: an orchid on your desk or a few succulents collected together on a shelf. Larger plants look great but remember that they’re an investment – you need to know how to look after them and keep them alive. Buy them from somewhere where there are experts who you can ask for recommendations on what plant would work in your space, especially if it doesn’t have a lot of sun, and how best to re-pot them.
Mix old with new
The juxtaposition of well-loved pieces with shiny and new really works. I think it’s so beautiful to use second-hand anything, whether it’s furniture, vases or objects; I love things with character that can be blended in with newer pieces. I go to Crystal Palace and Kempton Market to find incredible bargains, from Venetian glass and art to side tables. Track down the perfect antique desk or balance your modern furniture with vintage accessories such as paperweights, vases or lamps.
Buy furniture that doesn't belong in an office
Trying to avoid corporate furniture at all costs is crucial if you want your space to flip seamlessly between on and off duty. So, if you’re buying a desk, look for one that blends in with your personal taste and the rest of your home furnishings. That way, when you clear your laptop away, it will feel like a natural part of your home or can double up as a vanity or side table. Don’t compromise on your chair, though; I’ve learned the hard way that you need one with arm rests and proper support for your back. Look for Eames-inspired pieces that are incredibly stylish as well as functional.
Choose your materials carefully
A space that helps you get into a professional mindset will ideally be stain-free – so, if you have children or pets, make sure that you factor that into every interior choice. Pick paints that are wipeable and designed for high-traffic areas and choose fabrics for furniture that are hard-wearing and are pixelated or a blend of two colours to make stains easier to mask. They’ll look better – and smarter – for longer.
It's the little things that count
It’s much harder to concentrate when your surroundings are disordered, but there are small things that you can do every day that will instantly elevate your space and have a huge impact on how much you enjoy living and working in it. If you make your bed each morning, fluff your cushions when you get up from the sofa, and tidy things away at the end of the day, it will make such a big difference and make both the physical and mental switch from workspace to sanctuary so much easier.
