She invited us into her workspace and shared plenty of helpful home office ideas to help you transform your space in time for the new work year.

Off to work we go

Louise styles and photographs many of the stunning homes featured in Home Beautiful (such as this Bali-inspired abode and this penthouse with sweeping ocean views). Her north Brisbane studio is the perfect expression of the down-to-earth style we have all come to know and love from her.

But, as with any well designed home office, the space isn’t just about aesthetics. Functionally, this is a space for Louise to work in private as well as a meeting room for clients. “This is where I work on my styling projects, edit all my photography and meet and greet clients,” says Louise. “It feels open, airy and inviting, with lots of complementary textures that make it a joy to create in.”

Louise’s best home office ideas

The lounge area is central to the design and also features a library corner to house Louise’s collection of interior design books. Clients can make themselves at home on the King Living ‘Fleur’ 2.5-seater sofa, which is paired with an ‘Aura’ swivel chair to make it the ultimate collaborative space. “As well as being super-comfy, these pieces are a great complement, tonally and texturally, tying in nicely with the ‘Rutherglen’ rug, which provides softness underfoot,” says Louise.

Tiles create a stunning backdrop to these tactile elements. A base of ‘Tibur Bianco’ French-lay travertine tiles and a feature wall clad in ribbed clay tiles, both from Why Not Tiles, effortlessly bring a degree of homely harmony to the workplace.

“The sofa really makes the space and the option to have a high or low back was a deciding factor.”

Louise Roche

The post The best home office ideas from an interior stylist appeared first on Home Beautiful.

We spend multiple days a week here, with Teams calls on and keyboards tapping, so if you haven’t committed to a forever solution to your home office design, now’s the time.

Whether you have a dedicated room or a desk nook, you’re not alone in wanting to upgrade your workspace to be as premium and professional as possible. “We’ve witnessed growth in this category at Freedom,” says Michelle Klopper, head of furniture at Freedom. “With working from home becoming increasingly popular, focus is now on creating thoughtfully planned home office spaces.”

We’ve got all the tips to make your home office design feel better.

How do you lay out a home office?

When mapping out your office design ideas, think about who will use it and how? If you’re a journalist, you might need shelves for magazines. Or perhaps you’re a parent who needs an area for toys to keep younger children occupied while you get things done. It’s really about foreseeing how you’ll work and planning a home office design to make your days run smoothly.

How do I build a home office with no space?

If you live somewhere compact, small home office ideas are essential. Floating desks built into bedrooms, living rooms and even kitchens are increasingly popular. A home office nook under a staircases or behind pocket doors is another way to get around space issues. Designers are now incredibly adept at squeezing highly-functional workspaces in, whatever the floor plan. With a little creativity and the right home office decor, it can be done with style.

Here are some home office ideas for a more enjoyable workspace.

1. Make it multifunctional

“The current trend is for multi-purpose use. Versatility is key!” says interior designer and director at The Unlisted Collective, Bianca Fraser. Many of us want to create a space that everyone in the household can use for work, study and homework.

If you have plenty of room, you could have several desks. If you’d like a seamless solution, bespoke could be the way. “Custom joinery is often requested, which can be personalised to suit the people using the room and the space available,” says Bianca.

Think outside the cubicle and have fun with pieces that don’t fit the traditional aesthetic. “We had Merci Maison’s ‘Ce’cile’ stool, custom made into a desk chair for a recent project,” says Bianca. Other go-tos for the Sydney-based designer are the Baxter ‘Parsec’ desk from Space, a beautiful Rachel Donath vase, a Cire Trudon candle and fresh flowers from Bess Paddington.

Introduce art to jump-start your creativity. “It’s important to think about how your art selection integrates with your brand and how you want to be presented on screen in meetings,” says Bianca.

2. Avoid the corporate look

Boring black is out, fun furniture is in. “Style must meet function, however there’s a distinct shift away from corporate aesthetics,” says Michelle from Freedom. She shares that there’s a pivot towards office chairs with the luxurious look of leather, the textural appeal of boucle, calming tones and cocooning curves.

While they need to look great, Michelle adds that good ergonomics remain top of the priority list. “A comfortable and chic office chair means you’ll be happier when hitting deadlines.” There’s also a demand for products that reduce our environmental impact, such as Officeworks’ ‘Otto Kronborg’ chair, which is made using recycled materials.

As for desks, it’s all about going the extra mile in style and functionality. “Our home office assortment continues to evolve in line with this demand,” says Michelle. This means there are now loads of solutions for out-of-the-box office spaces like the Freedom ‘Scala’ leaning desk, which uses vertical space.

If you’re the type who likes to stand while working, there’s an accessory for that – try a ‘sit stand’ desk. Whatever your room size, there are desk options to suit. “Your workspace should reflect your personal style,” explains Michelle.

The benefit of your home office is corporate styling rules don’t apply. Natural materials like wood help create a calm and grounding atmosphere.

Top Tip

3. Prioritise lamps and lighting

Good-mood lighting is vital when it comes to a workspace. “Light impacts how you feel and can affect your creativity and productivity,” says Gabby Thomas, lead designer at Freedom. “Avoid stark overhead lighting to boost comfort and aim for maximum natural light to avoid screen glare.”

Task lighting is also essential and the right lamps are key. “Anglepoise lamps are great for this, while LED lights are also less likely to cause eye strain,” says Gabby. A modern incarnation of the classic Anglepoise is the Freedom ‘Stem’ table lamp. It pivots to direct light and has an integrated LED bulb with three brightness settings.

A lamp that’s especially helpful if your office lacks natural light is the Dyson ‘Solarcycle Morph’ desk light. It has the ability to emulate natural light using a daylight tracking algorithm, which adjusts to match the light outdoors based on your location.

For something luxe looking, the Seed Design ‘Pensee’ table lamp from Mondoluce emits a soft glow through its opal glass diffuser.

Aim to have as much natural light as possible in your workspace and use a lamp with a soft glow.

Top Tip

4. Invest in quality stationery

Digital diaries and online notes have their place but there’s still nothing like putting pen to paper. “We spend so much time on screens so it’s a very welcome change to use physical stationery,” agrees founder and former creative director of kikki.K, Kristina Karlsson. The iconic Swedish-Australian entrepreneur lost ownership of kikki.K as a result of Covid but has since launched a new stationery venture, Dream Life, which has been designed to suit modern wants.

“More and more people are demanding sustainable approaches from stationery brands,” says Kristina. “Manufacturing in China with a huge carbon footprint no longer cuts it. We now produce on-demand locally. As an order comes in, we produce it, which reduces wastage and our carbon footprint by not shipping from halfway across the world.”

Customisation is another trend. “It’s become so important to people that my new business is built around it. Every product can be personalised,” says Kristina.

Another female-founded sustainability-minded brand that’s embracing customisation is Beysis. Add your name or initials to their notebooks, phone covers and vegan leather laptop cases.

5. Make your tech travel-friendly

Vanessa Kiel, head of merchandise at Officeworks, says a lot of people are opting for laptops these days due to their portability. We’re needing to be able to pick up work where they left off when we jump on the bus, train or plane. Helpful additions like the Logitech ‘Casa’ pop up desk, which includes a wireless keyboard, wireless touchpad and a laptop stand makes them more comfortable to use wherever you’re working.

There’s also the option of turning your laptop into a pseudo desktop by connecting it to a monitor. You can even step it up from your basic screen to a next-gen version like the Samsung Smart Monitor M8, which rotates 90 degrees to help with viewing items like documents and comes with TV apps embedded if you like the idea of a double-duty device.

Go for speakers if you’re alone or headphones if you need to keep the noise down.

Top Tip

Which type of printer is best for home use?

When it comes to buying a new printer, Vanessa says there are a number of things to keep in mind. “Consider printer type (inkjet or laser) depending on what you plan to print and how often.” Laser is best for high-volume printing, mostly in black and white, while inkjet is great if you need to print high-quality colour images and use glossy paper.

Printing, using double screens and joining meetings now all need to be done effectively from home, so we’ve been prompted to upgrade our home tech. “Demand for home office tech products has increased significantly,” says Vanessa. “Individuals are investing in devices to support remote work. Items like home printers, computer monitors and tech accessories are becoming more popular to create productive work spaces in homes.”

Don’t forget to save all of those receipts and claim your work equipment expenses when it comes to tax time.

How do I make my home office look nice?

No matter how spacious or small your home office space is, it’s possible to make it look lovely. Here are three tips from Shona McElroy, principal at Smac Studio.

1. Tuck it away. If it’s in a common area, put it behind pocket doors. Out of sight out of mind.

2. Consider cord organisation. I like to put power points below the desk on a shelf, with a cable organiser to the top to keep it all neat and tidy.

3. Layers of lighting. For different times of the day you should have strong lighting, and then some feature or lower lighting if you need to work in the evening (or look good on Zoom).

The post 5 home office ideas to level up your WFH workspace appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Far from an ordinary home office, this is essentially an entire house makeover, including an office desk space, sitting area, podcasting nook, bathroom and wardrobe that Whitney utilises as her workspace.

From styling to hosting the With Whit podcast, the interior design needed to accommodate the many hats she wears as a businesswoman. A low-sitting lounge covered in cushions makes for a cosy recording nook.

For anyone who’s followed Whitney since her days as an intern in the Teen Vogue offices, it’ll come as no surprise that the renovation of her 1920s-era Spanish-style house is incredibly chic. The space has come together over the last few years with the help of designer Annie Cartwright and it’s been documented on her Renovation Station YouTube series.

Whitney collaborated with Amazon Home on the project, curating a selection of pieces that spoke to her natural-meets-refined aesthetic. The bathroom is a highlight, with the mesmerising wallpaper setting the scene for creativity.

With pretty touches that soothe and delight, this is about as far from a sterile office cubicle as you can get. The scalloped bathroom sink and pretty splashback make for a refined work bathroom. A warm rattan vanity and curved mirror are pleasing to the eye.

Plants are dotted throughout, in keeping with other earthy elements like raw wood and botanical wallpaper.

With events to attend and a glam team to help get her photo-ready, it’s helpful for Whitney to have a good mirror and updated lighting.

As a curator of fashion finds on WhitneyPort.com, this original influencer needs an organised wardrobe. Getting ready is stress-free when it’s in a space as grounding as this.

Jewellery organisation is easy with a dedicated space for every type of accessory.

Whether answering emails or running meetings, a gorgeous, expansive table and comfortable chairs have the job covered.

The post Inside Whitney Port’s stylish business headquarters appeared first on Home Beautiful.

There are many ways to achieve this. Clever storage will allow you to keep the room organised and even display your favourite books or treasured items, while colour-washing the room can help you remain focussed and inspired.

Seem like too much to ask of one room? We have a few tips to help take your home office from drab to fab.

1. Add indoor plants

When you’re deep in deadlines, anything that might add serenity to your workspace is welcome. Indoor plants are a great way to cut stress by introducing a nod to nature and giving a boost to your physical health by improving air quality.

“Use a palm tree to bring the outside in and bring calm to the room,” says interior designer Natalee Bowen of Indah Island. Other potted winners, which can survive a little neglect in busy periods, include peace lilies, mother-in-law’s tongue, Zanzibar gem or, for trailing charmingly off a high shelf, chain of hearts.

2. Try multi-sensory styling

“It’s important to consider all of the senses in any room, but in the study especially,” says stylist Chris Carroll of TLC Interiors, who suggests using fragrance as a tool to help you feel comfortable and focused. Lavender is said to reduce stress, and cinnamon to overcome mental fatigue.

“Colour in a study is personal, but try to keep intense tones and patterns to a minimum”

Chris Carroll, TLC Interiors

3. Upgrade your home office lighting

Just as in any other room, lighting can make your study sing. “Many of us use our study at night, so mood lighting is key,” says Chris.

“Opt for lighting that’s slimline and doesn’t present too much visual bulk. A desk lamp with a rotating head is good because you control the direction and intensity of the light.”

4. Create a personal vignette

Unleash inspiration to create a beautiful scene with objects that speak to you.

This is also a great way to create breathing space on shelves that might otherwise be a solid wall of files. Choose pieces that are unique, personal to you or that make you smile.

5. Home office storage

When it comes to workspaces, cleanliness is next to productiveness. But for a space that puts the ‘home’ in home office, try thinking outside the filing cabinet. Stock up on small storage boxes to be displayed on floating shelves – soft grey is soothing and non-distracting, or go for colour if bright hues jump-start your mental processes.

“Felt storage boxes and baskets add textural interest,” says Chris.  

Avoid visual clutter. Keep the actual desk surface completely clear of all but the necessities – computer, in-tray – and one or two joyful decorative objects.

Design tip

The post 5 ways to transform your home office appeared first on Home Beautiful.

1. Include elements that promote calm and creativity

With many Australians now finding themselves working from home, it’s important to ensure that your home office feels like a nice space to spend time in and most importantly somewhere you can feel productive.

Plants are a great way to make your home office feel more alive – move some of your household plants from other rooms into your office, so that you can see some greenery from your desk.

Lighting is also an essential element here to lift your mood and also to create a feeling of separation between your home office and your relaxation spaces. Make sure your office is light and bright all day and then contrast that by utilising lower levels of light such as dim lamps and candles in your relaxation spaces.

It’s also a great idea to ensure fresh air is flowing through your space to keep you feeling rejuvenated. If you can, open any windows and bi-fold doors to let fresh air in.

2. Organisation is key

Organisation in your home office is the key to productivity! You can never really have enough storage space in the office.

Additional storage space in the form of drawers, filing cabinets, boxes and shelving will help keep everything in order and keep your workspace clutter-free.

There are a variety of different storage solutions on the market these days, that look stylish too. Checkout Ikea or Kmart delivery for cost effective options.

3. Make it personal

Photographs, inspirational quotes and imagery are always great additions to the home office. This is a space where you want to spark creativity and it is important to be in a positive space to mitigate stress.

Print out some quotes that make you feel good and stick them around your desk where you can easily read them.

4. Colour your mood

Cool blues and natural green hues are soothing options that will help create a calm space in your home office. You can incorporate different colours in your office with accessories such as cushions, prints, lamps and frames.

Add a pop of bright colour in the form of one or two accessories as well, such as a bright yellow lamp or candle, to promote a high energy work environment.

5. No home office? No problem!

Not everyone has the luxury of a dedicated home office, but the good news is you can create a workspace in any home. As long as you have a desk or bench of the adequate height and chair (if you prefer to sit), then you’re on your way!

Ensure your chosen desk has suitable storage space for papers and stationary and that you are close to a power source. To avoid straining your eyes, access to adequate lighting is a must. If you don’t have a natural light source, opt for extended desk lamps.

HOME OFFICE IN YOUR BEDROOM?

If you do choose to set up a working space in your bedroom, it is important that you don’t associate the space with sleeping! Counter this by ensuring the desk is well away from the bed and not facing it if possible.

The post How to style your home office appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Here are our top 10 tips to make your home office space a success story.

1. position

Can you ‘borrow’ unused space from a landing, hallway or under the stairs? As long as you have a laptop and wireless connection, the fit-out can be as simple as a desk, chair and overhead shelf. For a more fixed solution, look to build in. Companies such as Table And Desk create ergonomic bespoke pieces that can be ordered online for a fraction of the usual custom cost.

2. lighting

Plenty of natural light is essential for comfort and mood – position your desk near a window and keep heavy window treatments to a minimum; light sheers or a diaphanous blind are as dense as you want to go.

3. think eco

Simple ways to green up your office include refilling your ink cartridges, setting your printer to double-sided and buying rechargeable batteries for your wireless devices. You can also recycle many of your office products, including computers, mobile phones and printer cartridges. To find out where to recycle, visit recyclingnearyou.com.au.

4. tidy up

Cables and wires that run rampant are not visually appealing. Try Officeworks for an off-the-shelf cable tidy, or even a reusable Velcro wrap, which can be strapped up under your desk.

5. decorate

Installing wallpaper or stylish desk accessories instantly prevents a room from looking too ‘office-y’. Select bold statement pieces in on-trend colours. Don’t worry too much about either the workload or commitment, as they can be removed or updated easily.

6. add plants

“I have a lot of plants in my office – on the desk, on the floor, perched on the windowsill and hanging from the ceiling,” says Druce Davey of Greener. “They bring a sense of tranquillity, reduce noise and filter the air. I also really like the daily routine of watering them.”

7. create a retreat

Stretch your budget with second-hand buys and a paint sprayer. If you need an oversized desk, source an affordable pre-owned table and revamp it with high gloss paint, and give your trusty old filing cabinet the same treatment, too.

8. get organised

Labelling your filing and storage boxes helps to keep your office organised, and looks pretty to boot. “With so many labels available, it’s an easy DIY if you have a penchant for typography,” says interior decorator Jodie Ghiloni.

9. make a statement

Bold colours and designer pieces will add instant glamour, such as this chair (above), or if ‘industrial chic’ is more your thing, try instantly ageing pieces with Murobond Rust Paint; murobond.com.au.

10. employ ergonomics

When seated, your feet should rest flat on the floor with your thighs parallel to it. Choose a chair that offers ample back support, supporting the natural curve of your spine. Sort your chair out first, and then adjust your desk to around elbow height, which will allow your forearms to rest parallel to the floor.

The post 10 top tips to set up and style your home office appeared first on Home Beautiful.

1. Replica Eames Group Aluminium Office Chair, $259

With a curved profile and colour selection that includes orange, black, white, tan and brown, this Matt Blatt Replica Eames Group Standard Aluminium Chair features premium Italian top-grain leather, chrome-toned aluminium and adjustable arms.

2. Replica Swan Desk Chair by Arne Jacobsen, $699

We love that this desk chair can be fully customised! Choose from 26 colours and fabrics, from Marigold in a classic wool blend to Fuchsia in Danish wool. This is a platinum quality handmade replica of the famous Swan Desk Chair by Arne Jacobsen features a 360º degree swivel action, the 4 star base is equipped with heavy duty castors.

3. Ergohuman Luxury with Legrest, $980

For those work moments when you score gold, and you just want to kick back, fold your arms behind your head and gloat in your glory… this is the perfect desk chair to do that! Featuring luxury leather, multiple ergonomically adjustable seat, height and head rest positions and made from the finest premium materials. And yes, you can kick those legs out on the stowaway leg rest.

4. ​Replica Corona Chair by Poul Volther, $1,269.06

How about a mid-century replica Corona Chair by Poul Volther (with optional ottomanis arguably as good as the original! Handmade using the finest materials including #304 grade brushed Stainless Steel frame, you can customise your upholstery with a choice of Danish Wools and Camira fabric and a rainbow of colours.

5. Walnut Modern Executive Office Desk Chair, $159

With 360° swivel seat, certified gas lift, height adjustment, smooth castor wheels and PU leather, this fun winged desk chair looks totally swish minus the outlay. Available in both black and white.

6. Camden Velvet Office Chair, $249

Fancy up your home office with a little velvet, brass and castor wheel swivel between spreadsheets! This modern minimalistic spin on art deco finishes has all the mod-cons, including gas lift, swivel and adjustable seat. Available in a range of colours including white, forest green, rust and royal blue.

7. Eames Premium Leather Replica Executive Office Chair, $549

Featuring 100% Italian leather used on front panels of seat cushions, chrome steel back support frame, a polished aluminium base and multiple tilt, adjust and swivel options, this replica mid-century Eames Executive Chair will having you sitting with the C-suite in no time.

8. Fangle Swivel Mobile Height Adjustable Active Stool, $329

Got a height adjustable desk? Pull up a stool! The Fangle Swivel Mobile Height Adjustable Active Stool is lightweight, minimalistic in design and totally mobile – the perfect neat and tidy seat for small spaces. Made for a wide range of uses from student desk spaces to hairdressers, the stool is height adjustable, features a soft covered seat pad and prides itself on itself on the ‘small but comfortable’ selling point.

You might also like:

How to create a healthy home office space

10 top tips to set up and style your home office

Your ultimate guide to working from home

The post 8 stylish desk chairs appeared first on Home Beautiful.

We share our top tips for creating a dreamy home office space — even when you think you don’t have any to spare!

1. Create a WFH corner

Scout out unused areas in your home: can you ‘borrow’ unused space from a landing, hallway or under the stairs? As long as you have a laptop and wireless connection, the fitout can be as simple as a desk, chair and overhead shelf.

2. Work by a window

Position your desk near a window and keep heavy window treatments to a minimum; light sheers or a diaphanous blind are as dense as you want to go. 

3. Build shelving into your study nook

If you’re fitting your office nook into an alcove, look to build in to make the most of your space; consider cabinetry and shelving from Bunnings and IKEA and secure to the wall to maximise available space.

4. Extend the role of existing spaces

A bench seat, fitted with rails to suspend hanging files, can do double duty in a small area; ensure the seat cushion is well padded for comfort. If you are borrowing your dining table as an office desk, set up an office ‘work zone’ with office supplies and an ergonomic arrangement each time you begin and pack it away when you’re finished for the day.

5. Invest in home office furniture

It isn’t necessary to have an office chair, but it’s important that it’s comfortable and include office furniture that is ergonomically sound for long periods of sitting, which a simple dining chair may not offer. Likewise with your office desk — ensure the seat height allows your feet to rest flat on the floor and your thighs to stay parallel to the floor and you should have ample back support, allowing for the natural curve of your spine.

6. Blend storage with your surroundings

If you don’t have room for a conventional filing cabinet, pick pretty storage solutions such as coordinated boxes to keep your home office storage and paperwork under control and mess at bay.

7. Add good lighting to your WFH space

You’ll need a desk lamp, but in an on-display nook, plump for a model that delivers targeted task lighting as well as striking good looks.

8. Decorate your home office nook!

Style up your home office just as you would any room in the house. Hang wall art, keep an eye out for what’s new in your favourite stationery retailers and make the effort to create an inviting space. A nook lined with wallpaper or painted a different colour can look amazing, and define the area as a spot for separate tasks.

The post 8 ways to create a nifty home office nook appeared first on Home Beautiful.