The way we work is changing. As technology improves, more and more of us are embracing the opportunity to work from home. Alternatively, to have a dedicated space where bills and emails can be dealt with and crafting can take place is becoming increasingly popular.

Where
Not everyone is blessed with a spare room that can be turned into a home office, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up the dream of having a dedicated work space – you just need a bit of imagination. Perhaps you have an alcove that isn’t being used, a spot under the stairs, or an area within the kitchen that can be transformed into a work space? An office doesn’t have to be huge, so anywhere will do.

Lighting
Natural light has many benefits when positioning your laptop or computer screen – the last thing you want is glare affecting your vision. Choose a good general light that will match your existing decor. A dimmer switch will also help you regulate the light strength and is adjustable throughout the day depending on natural light. A task light placed on your desk or attached to the wall provides extra light for close work.

Window treatments
A blind is a good idea to help with glare. Venetian blinds are a good choice as they can be tilted at differing levels, and also come in many colours and finishes to blend with your chosen or existing colour scheme.

Colour
If you are using the corner of an existing room, try to integrate your colour choices to avoid the office area standing out like a sore thumb. The colour blue is believed to encourage intellect, while yellow stimulates thinking and orange triggers creativity – these are all common choices for office or study environments.

Seating
Your choice of seating is the most important and should be chosen carefully. Comfort is paramount to support and protect your back, especially when you’re spending long periods of time sat at your desk. There are many choices available that can be purchased from charity shops and DIY outlets, as well as specialist shops. Fit your seat into your chosen colour scheme with cushions that will also help support your back and provide comfort for long days at the office.

Desk
Let your imagination run wild when choosing a desk – it does not have to be the conventional desk that we all relate to in an office environment. A kitchen table, leftover kitchen worktops fitted to the wall, a vintage find in a charity shop – the list is endless.

Walls/storage
Make the walls work hard. Blackboard paint is a wonderful thing and is a popular choice of mine – not only is it fun, it also means you can keep updating the wall with notes. You can also use clipboards in a new way by fixing them to the wall – this is a fantastic method to display ideas, memos and photos. By using labelled boxes you’ll keep all your documents easily to hand, meaning you can work in an orderly and organised manner. Empty coffee jars are a great up-cycle – use for pens, pencils and paint brushes.