Whether you are a seasoned freelancer, or temporarily working remotely, thanks to a third national lockdown, a spruce up of your home office can transform it into a sanctuary.
Spare bedrooms, living rooms, and dining tables, have all been commandeered as workplace set-ups since last March. With a little organisation, and clever interiors perk-ups, they can become a soothing and inspiring work space.
Lucy Mehydene, founder of interiors website Edit 58, has some tips for positioning your desk: “The difference between this lockdown and the last is I’ve realised the importance of looking out of a window from my WFH space. I am craving nature and something outside of my four walls to stare at to distract/inspire me! As such, I’ve positioned my desk by our French doors in our study, a small positional change but it makes a real difference to my mood.”
And as for the desk itself? Lucy says, “I try to keep my desk as clear and uncluttered as possible. I have a Cire Trudon candle that I burn religiously, both for the scent, and the relaxing ambient light it provides. I also have a bowl with bulbs growing, and a tray of stationery items on my desk. I like having them on a tray, as this encourages me to put them back in place after using. There’s also a radio, so I have constant background noise, and chatter humming away as I work. I also have a couple of chunky interiors books that I dip into when the mood strikes, or I need to get my creative juices flowing. ”
From scented candles to fresh stationery, scroll on for CF’s guide to curating your home office…
Many of us have been working from the kitchen table as a makeshift desk, or on a bad day, even from the comfort of our beds or sofas. With remote working continuing, it's high time to opt for a proper desk to fit into living room corners or bedroom nooks – it helps to mentally separate work from down time. Made.com has a multitude of minimalist options, like this one, which subtly sits in your chosen space without dominating the room. When it comes to an office chair it needn't be dull: this Anthropolgie chair in green velvet and on-trend cane has serious mid-century style credentials.
With remote working continuing, it’s high time to opt for a proper desk to fit into living room corners or bedroom nooks- it helps to mentally separate work from down time.
When absorbed in a deadline it can be easy to forget to hit your daily H20 recommendations. This hand-blown murano pitcher makes keeping hydrated a joy, and will be an excellent vessel for hand-mixed cocktails come summer too. Whilst many of us miss the ritual of popping out of the office to visit our favourite coffee shop, we are also taking ritualistic pleasures in an at-home coffee break. This charming coffee pot from Ralph Lauren Home will provide a welcome caffeine hit.
Sumptuous soft furnishings don't just make your desk set-up look infinitely more chic, but add a much needed dose of soothing comfort too. We love when fashion designers gravitate into the world of interiors, such as this merino wool throw, bursting with Erdem's signature blooms. A Christina Lundsteen velvet cushion is the smart way to prevent lower-back pain from the many hours spent crouching over the laptop – which we're all guilty of!
Hours of Zoom calls replacing face-to-face meetings have left us conscious of looking our best on camera. Take note from Tom Ford, who suggests placing your laptop on a stack of books so the camera hits your face at the most flattering angle. This "Fashion Designer Collection" trio makes for a visually appealing stack, you'll also want to sift through for creative inspiration too. Meanwhile a desk lamp, carefully placed to capture your best side, creates soft focus lighting. We love this Bridie Hall lamp, with its confetti paint print, it's an easy way to inject some colour into your home.
Hours of Zoom calls, replacing face-to-face meetings, have left us conscious of looking our best on camera. Take note from Tom Ford, who suggests placing your laptop on a stack of books, for the most flattering angle.
A transporting scent will infinitely improve productivity and creates a comforting cocoon around your work space. We love Anya Hindmarch's quirky candles in nostalgic scents like 'Pencil Shavings': it's a woody scent of pink pepper, cedar, patchouli, and amber to sharpen the mind. Additionally, this 'First Light' reed diffuser releases a clarifying scent of fennel, pepper, and rosemary, to sooth the soul.
There's simply no excuse for clutter, or misplaced items with these chic organisation solutions. A Christian Lacroix ceramic pot is great for storing pens and other minutaie, whilst a The Lacquer Company tray is great for storing post, documents, and notebooks.
There’s simply no excuse for clutter, or misplaced items with these chic organisation solutions.
Freshly cut blooms are always a joy, but with trips to Columbia Road flower market off the cards for a while, a bountiful bloom of dried flowers, like this Grace & Thorn wild bouquet, is eternally beautiful. A carefully positioned house plant can also bring a sense of the outdoors in. A Rubber Plant is low maintenance (for forgetful types) and boasts air-cleansing qualities for wellness benefits.
There's a great pleasure to be had in physically writing down your to-do list, and ticking things off as you go – particularly in these chaotic times. This optimistically hued Smythson pink notebook, coupled with a Liberty print floral pen, is great for jotting down tasks and ideas. Because who doesn't love fresh stationery?!
There’s a great pleasure in physically writing down your ‘to-do list’, and ticking things off as you go – particularly in these chaotic times
If your desk isn't positioned near a window, a beautiful print or photo frame can help centre the mind. This print by Danish artist Astrid Wilson peps up neutral walls and transports you to the rocky beaches of Hvar. We also love L'Objet's antique style photo frame – a welcome addition to any desk.
Small beauty rituals throughout the day help still the mind in moments of stress. Spritz this Kora Organics Balancing Rose Mist to refresh and invigorate. The rose scent and geranium oil are particularly grounding. We are all washing our hands more than usual, rendering hands chapped and irritated. Combat this with Aesop's Resurrection hand balm with the uplifting scent of rosemary and cedar – it sinks into hands seamlessly.
Any Questions or Tips to add?