Image copyright Clair Strong Interior Design

More and more of us are bringing our work home. Working from home is lovely; you’ve got all your creature comforts, no office politics, tea and coffee on tap and you can be closer to your family. But to make it work you need a productive and organised office space.

Today I’m sharing my tips for creating a home office that works as hard as you do (and looks good too).

Transform Unused Spaces into Your Office

Houses are getting smaller, families are getting bigger and there’s just no space for a home office, right? Wrong! Even if you don’t have a spare bedroom, you can create a mini office in the nooks and crannies of your home. In a closet, under the stairs, or even on the landing – it’s all about using the space smartly. Choose an ultra slim desk or a fold-away bureau, install overhead storage and keep the space tidy to maximise its potential.

Go Outdoors

If you’re completely stuck for space indoors, a garden office might just be the ultimate solution. These stunning structures have become increasingly popular over the past few years. They provide a dedicated office space with a fantastic view, they’re often eco-friendly and in some instances, you don’t need planning permission to build one, but make sure you find out first! See here for a useful Q&A on Planning Permission and Building Regulations from Shedworking,

Here are a few of my favourite designs:

Home Office Interior Design

Now’s the fun part – decorating your home office! We’re used to corporate offices being very formal and a bit bland, lots of neutral colours and 80s abstract paintings. But it’s critical to your productivity that your work space makes you feel good. You have to want to spend time there. Choose colours you love and inject your personality into the space.

Here are some great examples of highly personalised and creative home offices: