How to create the perfect home office

Liberated from the daily commute, a bigger house in the country with outside space is the dream for many and home offices are increasingly the make or break feature of a home sale. With the market exploding back into life, a stylish home office could be a major asset when trying to get your property to stand out from the crowd. The good news is that creating one is a fairly affordable project. So what are the top five tips for creating a covetable home office?

1. Consider fitted furniture: You may find that bespoke furniture is the best solution to creating a workspace that maximises the available space. A built-in desk and shelving means that you can position everything exactly where you need it, using the existing layout and features of the room, in other words the sockets, windows and doors. Although more expensive than off-the-shelf options, custom furniture is worth the investment if you use the room every day and will create a ready to use space to impress potential buyers.
2. Use all available space: If you don’t have an entire room to dedicate to making an office, being creative with an existing small space might be the solution. Hallways and landings that are often thought of as being unusable can sometimes be a perfect place to tuck away a small home office. A nook under the stairs or a space on the landing could be just the place to neatly fit a small desk and a chair.
3. Think Scandi: Regardless of the Pantone Colour of the Year - Classic Blue for 2020 if you were wondering - a minimalist look will never feel tired. Consider crafting a minimalistic space with neutral colours and very little clutter and a focus only on the essentials: a desk, a comfortable chair and your laptop. Cabinets are nice but not essential, especially if you’re going paper-free wherever possible. Keeping your desk space clear with small personal touches here and there can make a difference in productivity. Unlike the office office, you don’t need framed family pictures on your desk when your living and breathing family may well be just the other side of the wall.
4. Head outside: Anyone who had to juggle a video conferencing call during lockdown with a cat stalking the keyboard or an energetic child in the background has dreamed of an office in the garden or in a converted outbuilding. A basic cabin style office starts at around £4,000 but can climb to over £20,000 for the more sophisticated ones or a Shepherd’s Hut. If you do have an unused outbuilding look into the option of converting it into a fully functioning home office. Even if you don’t complete the work yourself, you can present the information to prospective buyers who might want to own the project and carry out the work themselves.
5. Don’t obsess about size: A small, ergonomically designed and designated work space is better than a larger space that has to multi-function. The kitchen or dining table may do the job from 9-5, but won’t feel so convenient when you have to clear the decks at the drop of a hat and set the table for dinner.

Are you working from home more since lockdown? Perhaps you’re dreaming of making the move to a country house with space for a home office away from the hubbub of family life?  Our Michael Graham team would love to help you. Get in touch and let’s start your moving journey today.