Help Me Design My Home Office?

[WLC]

Hi. I have four walls and two doors to a room that has (I'm sure) incredible potential as a home office. I have a budget (hoping $3000 will cover the remodel), access to a licensed electrician, and I'm willing to put in the sweat equity as the painter. I even have a few ideas on what I want.

I thought about IKEA, but just can't get my head around all of it.

I need the design, the furniture, and the installation. Any recommendations? WLC.

[KarenC]

What equipment are you using? What field of work? Are you mainly using computers? Do you have a fax machine, a printer etc? What size space areas do they take up? How much storage area do you want? Do you want plan drawers or are ordinary cupboards and drawers ok?
You may even be able to find a local tradesman who does small office fitouts to suit that budget. Then you would have every conceivable storage area incorporated with your desk. I found getting someone to build some custom builtins was more cost efficient than separate items for my studio area. If it's office related it can be deducted over 3 years with the Simplified Tax System which may help you stretch a little further in your budget.

[The Cafe Ninja]

Draw out your room on squared paper. Go to ikea and write down the dimensions of the items you like - take down quite a few you like. draw them out on paper and cut them out and then overlay them on your room sheet so you can move them around and see what works for you. I designed my bathroom this way! You may even be able to find some freebee software on the web that does this.

[Devan]

WLC,

I highly recommend a thorough investigation of the lighting in the office space. Talk to your electrician about perhaps installing downlights or spotlights to properly illuminate your working area without being too distracting or hot, or at the wrong angle (causing reflections in your monitor etc).

Also, check the lighting coming in from the doors/windows to ensure they are not distracting or at the wrong angles for the same reasons as above.

Thirdly, get someone who knows about Feng Shui to check out your plans. I know this sounds a little bit new-agey and wierd, but simple things like not sitting with your back to the door etc. can make a big difference to how you feel when working, thus affecting your productivity (in a good or bad way).

Hope this helps.

[Robert Gerrish]

Originally Posted by WLC

I need the design, the furniture, and the installation. Any recommendations? WLC.

I'm not sure if she's still working in this area, but I know that Terrill Riley-Gibson used to specialise in home offices and her own office was gorgeous. She's based in Concord and has her feet firmly on the ground (that was not an intentional aviation pun), Tel: 02 8765 1789. If you talk to her, please say 'hi' from me!

[divapromotions]

Personally, I'm in love with Ikea and luckily for me- I'm building a home with a proper office! Woohoo!!

I'm getting this awesome hutchy thing from Ikea that has doors, drawers and heaps of other areas. I also fell in love with a desk from there as well.

But you will need your dimensions, and think about things like windows - where do you want to be sitting etc.

Are you into Feng Shui at all?

[organiser]

Hi

Before you do anything like engage designers or buy furniture, you need to analyse what you're going to use the space for. I know it sounds rather basic, but often people go for aesthetics and things like Feng Shui before they are practical about it.

Are you going to want to store things? If so, what (and go down to stapler level)? How much of it? How much paper do you need to store? And take into account your personality; Are you a visual, creative type? You'll most likely need a large desk surface if that's the case, and probably a whiteboard or similar. I could go on for pages but I'm sure you get the point!

So decide what you're going to do in the space, and then what physical items you need in order to undertake those activities, then where you're going to put those items, THEN start looking for attractive things to put them in and on (and if you're into Feng Shui by all means investigate it after you know the essentials).

All the best, it's very exciting to be able to create your own space to work in, enjoy it!

And also consider engaging a professional organiser for the analysis, we do this stuff a lot

[Nadya]

Sounds like a fun project (or daunting - depending on if you have had a coffee or not). My view is that a home office is the perfect place to create something of your own within practical necessities. Make sure you include space for a beautiful picture/print/inspirational quote. Depending on your space, I would personally try to steer clear of those all-in-one units that house everything. That way you can change things around when you need/want to. Choose a bookcase that isn't average looking but is still simple and cheap. I chose IKEA's Expedit bookcases - they fit A4 folders, storage boxes, spare paper, reference books, in/out trays and lots of bits and pieces etc. And they look good. Let's face it - you're going to have to see it a lot! For a desk, you can get a plain piece of timber cut (maybe on a curve) and attach some IKEA table legs to it. Drawer space is really practical (rather than cupboard space) and lots of small drawers seems to house more than less of the larger drawers. Maybe paint one wall your favourite colour - something that will make you smile. There is no need to go for a grey office at home! And if you have space for a nice chair in a corner - it can help you brainstorm without sitting at your desk but still staying in 'work' mode (not in the next room with the washing or dishes staring at you). Sorry - long post! Good luck and enjoy your new space.

[The Office Witch]

If you need help call Agi Sterling from Agi Sterling Design on 0425203030.
She is a Sydney based architect, I have recommended her before.
When you cll her say "hi" from me.
Good luck

[WLC]

Wow! I love all of your comments. Love them. Of course, I should take some time out and really do the homework myself. I think I will contact the person in Concord that Robert recommended because I am incredibly inept at coming up with ideas. I can list my needs pretty quickly. Will put together a list.

I will definitely have a chair in the corner because I'll need a place to play my guitar when this computer needs to be restarted (love Microsoft - not). Great therapy to stop the work and start the play at odd times during the day - I highly recommend it.

Thanks very much for your ideas. I'll keep checking back to see if someone wants to do it for me. (For a few, of course... hint, hint.)