HELP DESK

Solutions for your home office – make it a space that works hard for you

- Miriam Methuen-Jones

HOME OFFICES HAVE often been considered a fairly luxe addition given the out-dated concept of what an office looks like. If you’re picturing an overbearing mahogany desk and rows of dusty books in the background, then you might be right in thinking you don’t have the space for one. However, with a bit of imagination, a small nook can become a comfortable place in which to work. Being keenly aware of how important that is right now, more than ever, it’s worth taking the time to figure out precisely how you’d like to use your space. If convenient set up the kitchen counter with your laptop, but if you know you’re a serial spreader (aka papers everywhere by 10am) then be realistic. It could be as simple as putting up shelves to tidy away file holders and slot your laptop out of sight; or take a cue from some of these designers and create a designated area.

If you have a creative job, you’ll want a space that echoes the sentiment. This colourful, stylish setup from Montana Monterey (left) features a mix of open and closed modular storage to display and hide away in equal measure. The colour blocking is especially effective, allowing the room to feel inspiring but still professional.

A homework station from The Container Store (top right) uses colour in a different way: by having plain white walls and shelving, the craft supplies become the focus. This well-organised rainbow encourages creativity from its young user, but also makes it easy to know where everything goes for a quick tidy up.