How to create a home office in London

Topics: architects, extensions, houses, interiors, planning

London house architects study design with wooden desk and mid century chair

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Author: Amrit Marway, Architect, AA Dipl RIBA

ARB registration no. 077479K

Amrit is currently leading a sensitive refurbishment and basement extension to a historic detached house in Chelsea. She has considerable experience working on residential projects in London and has recently designed a housing-led regeneration scheme in Barking and Dagenham.

Contact me: 020 3637 4236

Introduction

With hybrid working being the new normal, your home office in London must provide the perfect working environment.

Whether you are squeezed into your bedroom, spread out on the dining table or have a dedicated room for your office essentials, your home office must optimise your efficiency. Whilst we aren’t all lucky enough to have an abundance of space available to create the perfect working environment at home, some universal tips can be applied to maximise productivity.

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Where to locate your home office

Selecting an appropriate room is a good place to start. Try to avoid a bedroom – the proximity to your bed is too much of a temptation! If you have a spare room available or can convert a loft into a workspace, then great. You could also try the corner of a large room, like a living room, utilise your abandoned hallway or a dining table instead.

Room dividers are a perfect tool to split spaces and create a private working area, so you’re not tempted to turn on the TV while working from the living room. Rooms facing a main road or high traffic areas should generally be avoided as the noise can create a distraction while you are working.

Home office at Peckham Tonal House

Home office comfort: lighting and views

Once you have established your most suitable room or space, the next consideration is lighting. Natural light is very important, so working near a window or skylight is a great choice. Placing your desk towards the natural light source allows the maximum amount of daylight to be cast onto your working area. Utilise that summer sun when you can and save some electricity by avoiding turning the side lamp on.

Having an artificial light source nearby is essential during the winter months. A contemporary desk or floor lamp can provide a visual accent in the space, whilst also allowing you to focus on the task ahead. Aim for bulbs that emit a slightly warmer colour tone than those traditionally used in office environments; these can feel too harsh at home.

Nobody enjoys staring at blank walls, so try to position your desk so you can see the garden or at least some sky. Your work office desk isn’t facing a blank wall, so why should your home office be any different?

Office with a bay window at Barnsbury House

Furniture and posture

Being comfortable while working is key: a good desk chair is a worthwhile investment. There are plenty of chairs that are both comfortable and look stylish, so your office chair won’t stick out like a sore thumb next to your sofa in the living room. Ergonomic furniture is an asset that will improve overall health if you spend most of the day sitting.

Remember also that using a laptop generally isn’t ideal for ensuring perfect posture; you should consider investing in a stand and separate monitor, or even purchase a new desktop computer. An adjustable standing desk may also be a worthwhile investment – it should encourage you to change position during the day, and possibly even to help you achieve your 10 thousand steps goal while working on that PowerPoint presentation.

If space is an issue, mounting your monitor to a wall might help to maximise your desk surface and also ensure that your screen is at eye level. But this should not allow room for more clutter – make use of storage and drawers so your desk is neat, and you have easy access to all essentials. If you are lucky enough to be paperless, then use the extra desk space to house some of your tech and charging systems.

Personalising your home office

Once the basics are put in place, personalising your space helps to make it more homely. Adding plants can not only brighten the area but also is proven to reduce stress and improve air quality in the room. Painting a wall a neutral colour or a blue can help enhance focus and create a calming atmosphere to work in. Adding rugs or curtains can add warmth to the space, and new wall decor can help make the space more inviting and personal to you.

Your workspace should be an area that you enjoy. You are spending a lot of time there after all, so why not hang your favourite painting on the wall next to your desk?

A garden room?

If you have a garden, maybe consider adding a garden room at the back, which could be your very own luxury office. Garden rooms are a versatile space and a great addition to your home. If you are a full-time creative that needs a studio space, a boss who needs peace and quiet or simply wishes to really separate your workspace from home space, then a garden room is the perfect solution.

It’s an alternative option to an extension or conservatory, as there’s some distance between the room and the house itself. Planning permission often isn’t needed, so it’s a speedy solution to creating a dedicated home office.

Home office with garden view at our North London House

Things to avoid in a home office

Choosing a space that has natural light is important to help manage stress levels, make the room feel brighter and reduce eye strain. To maximise the space available, make sure you don’t overcrowd and fill the room with clutter. Yes, the large armchair is comfortable, but if you are squashed against your desk to make room for it, then maybe consider another option.

Having a minimal approach to your home office may help you to maximise your working space. Only have a row of shelves if your work requires you to have a lot of papers and books to hand. Your furniture shouldn’t just act as decoration, so ensure that everything in proximity to you is something you actually need.

The next steps

If you are starting your own business from home or are lucky enough to be able to work from home permanently, then investing in the perfect home office may be your next step. If you are considering creating more space with a garden room or house extension, Architecture for London would be happy to help turn your ideas into a reality.

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