Forget about the bedroom or the kitchen, anyone who’s had to work from home knows that the home office is where the real magic happens!
Our homes have long been the centre of family life, but these days they’re also increasingly the backdrop for work and play. Don’t worry if your place is too small for the ‘extras’ you often see in larger homes, like an office or entertainment room. One of the best ways to maximise your available space is a multipurpose room. For a catch-all space everyone will use take a look at these ingenious home office ideas.
Set up a dedicated workspace
Carve out a dedicated work-from-home spot to get the creative juices flowing. All you need is a nook with enough space to accommodate a workstation made from upcycled drawer units and flatpack panels. Add storage boxes, plus decorative desk lighting, and you’re all set.
Hero natural elements
To avoid twinning, introduce variation to your TV unit by keeping the wooden bench surface unpainted. It will echo your floorboards and infuse the space with a cosier vibe. Add in plant pots, vases and ceramics made from terracotta and painted in neutrals for the natural feel to shine through.
Add in multi-functional spaces
Create symmetry with your desk unit by building a similar-style shelf for the TV, positioning it on the opposite wall for a mirror-like effect. If you have the space, adding a shelving unit allows you to organise and display your indoor plants, vases, ceramics and candles and try to use your books and folders as decor.
Personalise!
Last but not least, personalise your space! Add a great lamp, a pinboard, an art print or more plants. If you envision yourself struggling with noise control (a common problem!), treat yourself to a set of noise-cancelling headphones.
These three DIY hacks will make your home office functional and custom-fit to you:
01
Phone display holder
For a simple desk phone stand, cut a 200 x 95mm panel and 10 x 95mm ledge from leftover Hevea benchtop panel.
Sand all edges, then attach the ledge flush to bottom edge of display panel with PVA glue. With a 19mm spade bit and drill, bore a 10mm hole in back of the panel, 70mm from top edge and on the centre line. Take a 110mm piece of 19mm timber dowel and cut a 45° angle on one end with mitre box and saw.
Apply PVA glue to hole in panel and insert flat dowel end, so other end supports the stand. Let dry. Finish with water-based varnish.
02
Memo board
To create a bespoke messaging board, salvage and disassemble an old picture frame. Give everything a good clean with a damp cloth. Clean both sides of the glass with glass spray and paper towels.
Apply 2 coats of paint to the frame with leftover white paint. Then apply 2 coats in your chosen colour (we used a Dulux sample pot in Duck Egg Blue) to the backing board.
Once dry, attach a stencil to corner of board with painters tape. Load a roller with white paint, then offload excess onto paper towelling. Paint over stencil, then carefully remove and reposition to create a tiled effect.
Continue stencilling until surface is covered. Let dry, then insert backing board in frame behind glass. Use whiteboard markers to write notes and memos.
03
Magazine holder
To create a handy stand for your books and mags, cut two 300 x 600mm panels from leftover Hevea benchtop with circular saw. Find centre of each panel and mark a cutting line halfway across panel.
Draw a parallel line 14mm on each side of centre line and mark vertical line to connect them along centre. Cut out with saw and sand all edges. Slot together for fast, easy storage.
