The Modern Home Office

The home office is now a real must – schoolwork and study, household and personal finances, for the younger members of the family on up to telecommuters working from home or freelancing.

Avoid all unnecessary headaches; plan and design your office according to your actual needs, both professional and personal. Your well-being will benefit your employers or clients as much as it does you, since you’ll be more efficient and productive.
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Clients at home
Office Layout
Ideas made to measure

Clients at home

If you don’t need to see clients, any room in the house can be transformed into an office. It must be comfortable, meet your professional needs and preferably be soundproofed; you should be able to work without interruption or distraction from regular household activities.

No spare rooms in the house? Create your own office space or corner in part of the living room, bedroom or kitchen. A sliding partition or folding screen can easily section off an area for your office. Mid-height bookshelves accessorized with a number of attractive plants will also do the trick. If you don’t need a lot of office space, a large closet could be sufficient, and if you have a mezzanine floor, that could also meet your needs.
It’s an entirely different ballgame, however, if you will be seeing clients in your office. You need a room close to both the entrance and a washroom; you want to avoid having your clients move through the common areas of the house. Visitors should be able to hang up their coats when they come in and sit down to wait for you. If changing the entrance is out of the question, set up a small waiting room with cloakroom or coat hook. A washroom with toilet and sink should be accessible to your clients – they should not be required to make their way through the house. An interesting and inexpensive option: a double-access washroom, with one door for the family and the other for your clients.

Of course, the location of the office can vary according to the layout of the house. It can be set up in part of the basement, the garage, a section of the ground floor, second floor or attic. A good heating and air-conditioning system is essential, as is good air circulation, comfortable humidity levels and sufficient sound proofing for both your own comfort and that of your clients.

Office Layout

The room’s layout is first and foremost a question of personal taste, but you would be advised to follow a few basic principles to ensure that your work space is effective, such as good lighting, comfortable working and reading chairs, a practical work table, and sufficient and organized storage space.

If you will be welcoming visitors, be mindful of their comfort and your professional image. You should, therefore, be facing the doorway when seated. A table and a few chairs will enable you to work with clients on a one-to-one basis. Place an armchair or sofa in a corner of the office for comfortable reading or more relaxed conversation.
Choose floor covering that is tasteful and, most importantly, easy to clean. Ceramic tiles and laminate or wood flooring remain favourites. Don’t forget to protect your floor, especially if you use a chair on wheels!
Make no compromises where office-space lighting is concerned. Appropriate and adjustable lighting is indispensable. You can increase the flexibility of your layout and accommodate all the activities you plan to do in your office by installing adjustable spotlights, several recessed lighting fixtures, a dimmer, and a work lamp placed on your desk. Stay clear of fluorescent tubes and halogen light bulbs: the lighting is too aggressive.
With the walls and ceiling you can express yourself through colour. Use paint, faux finish, wallpaper, panelling, or wall coverings and have fun with motifs and colour while respecting your professional image; don’t forget, you’re at the office! Cool and soft colours like light blue and soft green favour concentration and relaxation. Warm colours, such as red, yellow and orange, have a more stimulating and energizing effect. Find the right balance that works for you. Be wary of deep brown and dark grey: they will tend to weigh heavily on your mood in the long run.
Dressing windows is of the upmost importance, as much for the decor as for your visual comfort. Opt for light window coverings to take advantage of the natural light available and outside view, but that will also enable you to regulate the light to avoid reflections on your computer screen.
To choose your furniture wisely, think over the activities you will be doing. An analysis of your needs will guide you in your choices. Opt for comfortable furniture, including a versatile chair, sufficient work table, and shelving for storage. Make sure you try before you buy! Sit on the chair for longer than a few seconds to make sure it will be comfortable in the long run. Take measurements for your electronic appliances and documents, then measure the furniture in the store. Don’t trust first impressions – some furniture is more aesthetic than practical!
A well-ordered storage system is an office requirement. Only articles that need to be within reach should be kept on the desk, and everything else belongs on the bookshelves, shelving units, in a drawer, box, or tray. Keep an area like a closet for your files.
Find interesting and original places to hang your pictures, decor accessories and plants to complete and harmonize your decor. Mix beautiful with practical by increasing your storage space with attractive baskets and decorative boxes.

Ideas made to measure

You can’t find the furniture, storage units or other pieces you’d like? Make them yourself! Here are our plans for functional work spaces and appropriate storage:

Build a desk – oasis style
Build an office shelving unit – global village style
Build an art trestle table – oasis style
Build a bookcase – global village style
Orderly organizer – oasis style
The trend is more and more towards practical and comfortable office spaces. Your professional image is important, yes, but layout and decoration need to prioritize the practical aspects of the space more than its visual appeal. Everything to ensure your efficiency and attention on your work!
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