Remote working has been a blessing for many people, but no one talks about the challenge that comes with balancing both work and home, simultaneously, in this day and age. There are so many distractions you have to face when you have to work at home with kids – noise, flying toys, and curious little hands exploring your keyboard. So, it’s important to create a functional yet stylish home office that caters to both work and your family needs.
From practical home flooring to the best helpful technology, we’ll guide you through how to perfect your working space. This will turn your office from a chaotic space to a productive haven, without compromising care for your family. Let’s dive in.
H2: Designing a multifunctional workspace
A dedicated workspace helps you switch into “work mode” but because it’s within your home, it should still be a flexible setup that allows you to easily switch between professional tasks and family responsibilities. Creating a shared work area can work well if you have small children that you need to keep within view, or older children that have homework to complete. Here are a few ideas to make your workspace flexible while still setting clear boundaries:
- Create zones within the same room, with a space for you to work while kids complete homework or creative activities in areas set up specifically for them. This could be achieved in the form of a small screen or room divider.
- Increase the flexibility of the space with the use of multifunctional or convertible furniture, such as:
- Desks that can fold away
- Shelves that double as storage
- Seating that serves multiple purposes to maximise space
- Promote focus by choosing calming colours like soft blues or greens, and add artwork, plants, or family photos to make the space inviting while maintaining a professional feel. You could also consider adding canvas wall art framed to enhance the ambiance and inspire creativity in your workspace.
H2: The role of flooring in office ambiance
Flooring is the foundation of any room so it has the ability to greatly influence the overall mood of your office. Lighter tones can give an airy, open feel, while darker hues create a more classic look. With its gorgeous wood, stone and tile looks, luxury vinyl flooring is a practical flooring choice that elevates your aesthetic. Its ease of maintenance and scratch and stain resistance means it can withstand the foot traffic of a busy home office, while looking great.
Want to change up the look of your office space quickly and easily? Rugs in bright colours such as yellow, red, blue and orange will enhance productivity and add comfort to the space, looking great against your new flooring.
H2: Balancing style and functionality
The key to blending your workspace seamlessly into your home is organisation. When your area’s tidy and arranged in a way that blends in with your overall design theme, it’s easier to shift between your work and family responsibilities. A well-organised space can simplify transitions between work and parenting, so make sure to have dedicated areas for work, relaxation, and family use to maintain a sense of order and purpose.
How? Functional and stylish storage solutions such as bookshelves with closed compartments will conceal clutter while still keeping your space looking stylish. If you need a more flexible option, decorative baskets that double as organisers will keep your supplies well sorted, acting as a decorative accent. Next, think about your furniture. Choose ergonomic pieces like desks and chairs that support good posture so you’ll be comfortable even when you’re working long hours. This will also keep you feeling energised and ready to enjoy family time.
By balancing style with comfort and functionality, you’ll find greater harmony between time spent working and your personal responsibilities.
H2: Lighting for productivity and comfort
Good lighting is essential when creating an effective workspace. Natural light should be optimised as it helps regulate your circadian rhythm, boosting wellbeing and alertness.
To get the most out of your lighting, layer it to add depth and interest to the space. Aside from your overhead lights, think about incorporating task lighting such as lamps or pendants over your desk, so that you can easily work while your kids take their daily naps.
H2: Choosing the right technology
The right technology will help you stay on task, even when distractions are plentiful, but there’s so much to choose from it can be hard to know where to start. Here’s a few to try:
- Laptops, tablets, or all-in-one desktops offer a sleek and minimalistic design, which is ideal for space-saving in your home office.
- Work collaboration platforms such as Asana or Trello make task management easy, wherever you are.
- Smart assistants like Siri or Alexa can schedule your meetings and appointments and give you reminders throughout your day, helping you stay on top of your tasks.
- Task management apps such as Pomodoro, Todoist, or ClickUp can keep you on task and working efficiently throughout the day.
We also recommend keeping your office cables organised and kid-safe with clips, sleeves, or under-desk trays to keep them out of sight yet easy to access. Also, ensure that tech gadgets are positioned securely to prevent accidents.
Your home office is an evolving space that will grow with your family. With a thoughtful approach, you can create a workspace that supports your professional goals while nurturing family interaction and fun. So, no matter what toys are thrown your way, your new home office will stay pristine.
