Teleworking work has now become part of the new routine for many professionals. As a result, setting up a home office has taken on an entirely new meaning. During lockdowns, most people improvised temporary workspaces here and there, but today, creating a real, functional home office has become much more important.
Even if you only work from home one or two days a week, having a well-designed, dedicated workspace will help you stay more focused. Why not take the time to explore the best options for designing your home office? Discover our ideas to help you create the perfect workspace and let yourself be inspired.
Choosing the right teleworking space
Before planning your office layout, the first step is to find the right place for it. Many experienced this during the COVID-19 lockdowns: while teleworking offers numerous benefits — such as improved comfort and flexibility, it also blurs the line between personal and professional life.
Unsurprisingly, the ideal setup is a dedicated home office room. It offers more space for both work and storage, and at the end of the day, you can simply close the door behind you marking a clear end to your workday. The advantage of having a dedicated room is that it creates a more pleasant and comfortable working environment. You can take calls in privacy, without being disturbed by household noise or visual distractions. The result: better focus, greater comfort, and a more productive workday.
Depending on your profession, the space required for remote work can vary greatly. Some people still rely on binders and paper files, while others work exclusively with a laptop. Naturally, your home office setup should be tailored to the amount of space you need. Try to choose a location that allows you to keep everything within easy reach and most importantly, one that suits your essential work tools and habits.
If you don’t have the possibility of dedicating an entire room to your home office, select a spot that still meets the key criteria for comfort and functionality. Here are a few basic elements to help you determine the ideal location for setting up your workspace.
Setting up your office for teleworking: the basic rules
The most important rule is to choose a space where you feel comfortable somewhere that makes teleworking enjoyable. It may take a few tries to find the perfect spot. A simple way to start is by placing a chair where you plan to set up your desk, sitting down, and getting a feel for the space your first impressions will tell you a lot.
Do you have enough space? Is it bright enough? Are there power outlets nearby? Are you in a high-traffic area?
All of these factors are important when deciding where to set up your home office.
Lighting
First and foremost, make sure you have a good light source nearby. Keep in mind that brightness can vary throughout the day and across seasons, so choose your spot accordingly.
Whenever possible, prioritize natural light — it’s easier on the eyes and creates a more pleasant atmosphere. If that’s not an option, invest in quality artificial lighting that minimizes shadows and glare on your workspace.
Positioning
As you probably know, we’re big fans of Feng Shui, which is a real ally when it comes to designing harmonious spaces.
To encourage good energy flow, it’s best to avoid having empty space directly behind you, as it can subconsciously create a feeling of insecurity. Whenever possible, position your desk with your back to a solid wall. Doors and windows should remain within your line of sight to open up your perspective and allow you to see who enters and leaves the room.
The style
When it comes to furniture, opt for pieces that aren’t too bulky, helping to maintain a clean and uncluttered workspace. Keeping your desk tidy will also help keep your mind clear and focused.
Curved shapes are especially recommended, as they promote smoother energy flow. They also add a sense of softness and comfort to your interior design.
The materials
In general, synthetic materials should be avoided, as they can block the flow of energy. Natural materials, on the other hand, are your best allies for creating a pleasant and balanced workspace. Wood, for example, brings warmth and a welcoming atmosphere to the room, making it a great choice for your home office.
Connections
Another important aspect not to overlook is ergonomics particularly when it comes to your equipment setup. Most people who work remotely spend the majority of their day in front of a computer, so having easy access to electrical outlets is essential. This prevents the need to run extension cords across the room.
Even though modern technology increasingly favors wireless devices, it’s still important to have convenient access to chargers and to keep visible cables neatly managed or hidden for a cleaner, more organized workspace.
Contact us or make an appointment here to discuss your project.
Now that you know all the essential criteria for setting up your home office, let’s look at some concrete examples.
A dedicated teleworking office space
As we mentioned earlier, creating your home office should reflect the nature of your work. If your office is currently dedicated solely to your job, it could also double as a space for managing household paperwork or pursuing hobbies.
In both cases, we’ll show setups within dedicated rooms. Here, office design is considered holistically and tailored to the individual’s specific needs.
Teacher’s desk
Teachers, for example, need ample space to store binders and teaching materials, as paperwork remains a central part of their work. It’s essential to provide plenty of shelving and closed storage to keep less attractive or bulky items out of sight.
When designing the space, it’s also important to include a large enough desk surface to accommodate multiple open binders, notes, and writing tools within easy reach. A computer will be present but may not be the main focus. Printers are often nearby, so cable management should be considered. Finally, drawers can be very useful for organizing the many office supplies that a teacher needs.
Geek office
While some professions still rely heavily on paperwork, others are fully digital and revolve entirely around technology. We thought it would be interesting to compare these two extremes to show the range of possibilities and styles.
For this project, the main idea was to create a space for Mr. [Name] that would serve both for remote work and his gaming hobby. We quickly listed all the elements that needed to be included, as well as the overall atmosphere to be achieved. The same room also incorporates a sofa bed and a TV corner, making it important to visually separate the areas. This allows each space to feel cozy and functional, creating two distinct corners that are comfortable for both work and relaxation.
Cable management was carefully planned to keep the desk clutter-free, which led to the creation of a wooden cover behind the monitor. This allows all connections to plug directly into a hidden power strip. The setup also accommodates the LED switch and wiring, providing soft lighting ideal for gaming. A few shelves and storage options are included, but the focus is on the prominent curved desk, which maximizes both space and comfort.
Would you like to explore more options? Discover more offices here.
Working from home in a living room
So far, we’ve focused on simpler setups, which come with fewer constraints. Designing a desk in a living space is more challenging, but don’t worry, we have plenty of ideas!
Most clients want to combine a bookshelf with a teleworking corner in the living room or dining area. The advantage of integrating the desk with another piece of furniture is that the workspace becomes less visually prominent. It blends seamlessly into the room, creating a functional yet discreet home office.
Even when the home office is well integrated into the room, we often hear the desire to hide this workspace once the workday is over. We understand that leaving your computer, large monitor, and current documents on display all evening doesn’t really allow you to mentally disconnect. To address this, we offer a monitor cover. This mobile element, made of wood or steel, attaches magnetically under a shelf. Once the workday ends, the screen is immediately hidden.
This solution is also available with sliding doors to conceal the monitor or simply other office items such as the keyboard, mouse, pens, or current files.
If your remote work is occasional and you only need a temporary desk, an extended surface can be sufficient. Whether it’s part of a buffet corner, kitchen counter, or another surface, a fold-out panel can transform into a small workspace.
Let us show you how.
Teleworking on a retractable desk
If you don’t have a dedicated office and a permanent workspace in a living area isn’t feasible, don’t worry — fold-away desks offer a smart solution for creating an efficient home office.
There isn’t a single standard model, as fold-away desks are often extensions of existing furniture. The shape and function will depend on the room’s architecture and how the space is used.
t can take the form of a pivoting unit attached to a closed cabinet, inspired by traditional secretary desks.
But also a swivel-mounted desk tray, which becomes almost invisible when stored.
Or take the example of this project for an office in a living room, featuring a system of sliding doors which, when folded, enclose a screen on a pivot.
We can also offer you a teleworking office that can be folded down, freeing up space once folded. You retain the flexibility of being able to use the space differently according to current needs, without feeling constrained. A great alternative for those who don’t often have the opportunity to telework, but want to do it properly when the occasion arises.
As you can see, whatever your telecommuting needs, we can come up with innovative and unique solutions. That’s the advantage of a made-to-measure service, and one that’s not short of good ideas.
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