Make your home office work for you

Anthony MatteoThe West Australian
Camera IconThe Fitzroy by Dale Alcock Homes. Credit: Joel Barbitta/D-Max Photography.

Gone are the days when working from home meant a seat at the kitchen bench or a lap table on the couch. We now work in spaces as well equipped as we have in our company offices and, better still, we can make these spaces our own.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, which saw many of us compelled to work remotely, the dedicated work area has materialised as a critical inclusion in most new home designs, according to ABN Group WA New Product Manager John Care.

“Having a space away from the living and relaxation areas of the home is great for productivity,” he said.

“Separate home offices are perfect for this era, where working from home and running a business from home is becoming more normalised.”

Celebration Homes Sales Manager Alistair Harris said the best place to put a home office often came down to lifestyle factors for homebuyers.

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“Some are choosing to find space for a dedicated at-home office, whilst others are designing spaces which are flexible, such as in spare bedrooms and e-nooks,” he said.

Echoing this, Mr Care said selecting the right location was important in determining how focused you would be when working at your desk.

“Some think it is easier to concentrate when the work space is away from the busy areas like the kitchen, alfresco or theatre room, while others prefer to work near the kitchen and living where you have oversight of these areas,” he said.

Mr Harris suggested those with children should always consider a spot with a door for privacy and noise, whereas those with older children or no children might prefer to have a smaller location to minimise the impact on the rest of the home design.

With location decided on, Mr Harris said the next step was to consider practicality in terms of design, recommending people meet with an electrical specialist who could advise on the best positioning of power points and high-speed internet access to make the space functional.

Mr Care said strategically selecting furniture for your office was vital, emphasising the significance of an ergonomic desk and chair set-up, tied together with smart storage solutions.

“A simple desk, great storage and a comfortable, supportive chair are the basics of any good home office,” he said. “Paying attention to the height of your desk and chair is important if you want to keep your back, neck and shoulder muscles happy.”

Mr Harris recommended incorporating nature in the design to help improve your workflow.

“Including good natural lighting and free-flowing fresh air is important, and in the summer months it is convenient to have air-conditioning in the home if you are spending your full day at your desk,” he said.

Reflecting on Dale Alcock Homes’ Fitzroy display, Mr Care said the office in this design provided maximum flexibility whilst infusing a number of trends to accommodate a variety of potential clients.

“The Fitzroy has a multi-purpose home office which can be tailored to the individual depending on the type of worker you are,” he said.

“If you are an office worker, you might require more working space, such as a big desk and comfy chair, whereas if you are a visual/creative worker, you might require more space for an art bench or models.”

For those who plan to have clients visiting their home office, Mr Care also recommended including separate direct access to the space to eliminate people venturing through your home.

On a less practical note, Mr Care noted the home office could be a good place to inject a bit of your personal taste.

“With more people spending more time in their home offices, they want to personalise the space,” he said. “Whether this is with artwork or special memorabilia, they want to make the space their own.”

CONTACT Dale Alcock Homes, 9544 6617, www.dalealcock.com.au

Celebration Homes, 9202 2300, www.celebrationhomes.com.au

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