How to Design Interior Office Space
Interior office space is becoming more important as people integrate computers into everyday life and often telecommute from home to save expenses. But the office space in a home isn't the same as the space in an office. The needs of a homeowner are different, and the space must be more flexible to reflect its location. While a person may elect to work from home, the house is still part of the family space, and the person who is working also may be responsible for taking care of children or attending to guests. In addition, the interior office space may need to convert to a guest bedroom or serve additional functions when not being used as an office. Designing an interior office space should include a careful observation of how the space is being used, as well as the appearance of the space. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- 1/4-inch scale graph paper
- Pencil
- Construction ruler with ¼-inch scale
- Straight edge
- Tracing paper
Instructions
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Designing Interior Office Space
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1
Measure and mark the exact room dimensions on the graph paper, so 1/4 inch equals one foot. Include the position of all windows, doors, closets, outlets, switch plates and any other features that impact the layout of the room.
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2
Jot down a brief list detailing the primary functions the room needs to serve. If the room will be reserved solely for an office, then it becomes important to consider the needs of that office space. If the office requires physical space for filing and storage, a good working estimate of that space should be listed. This may be something like two-to-four-drawer filing cabinets or three long shelves in the closet. When possible, contain storage inside other containers if the room will serve guests as well.
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3
Place tracing paper over the graph paper and draw in the potential arrangement of the office. Orient a larger desk with a back to a wall so the person sitting at the desk can look outside a window and can easily see the entry door to the room. This layout is preferred when a space is dedicated to just an office. Opposite the desk should be comfortable seating, such as a small sofa or two chairs. Behind the desk should be a credenza to store files, or the cabinets can be positioned out of sight in the closet if they are accessed infrequently. The objective of a home office is to provide a calm workspace with adequate storage within easy reach, good views and minimal clutter. Paint the room a neutral color and select complementary draperies. Position a small table between the chairs and place a table lamp on both the desk and small table. Book cases, if needed, should be to a side or in the closet space. Add plants to enhance the atmosphere, and consider a water feature if the sound and movement are pleasant.
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4
Place tracing paper over the graph paper and draw in the potential arrangement of the office/guest bedroom. Place a daybed or convertible sofa against the wall that is the solid wall opposite the entry door. When possible, don't block the windows in any way. This configuration is good for a multipurpose interior office space that serves a dual function as a guest bedroom as well as an office. Consider a modern dual-purpose sofa with clean lines whose scale is designed for small urban apartments. These types of sofas are not as large and won't appear to over fill a smaller bedroom-sized space. Wire for an overhead light fixture and place a small cabinet with doors next to the sofa to hold pillows and blankets out of sight. Place the office desk hugging a wall only as a last resort. Having your back to the room often feels awkward. Place any office storage behind doors in a taller cabinet. Clutter left visible feels intrusive to guests. Place a large painting over the sofa, and add your color with accent pillows and a space rug.
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5
Place tracing paper over the graph paper and draw in the potential arrangement of the office space for two people. Draw a T-shaped office unit with built-in bookcases and cabinets that fit along the largest wall. The doubled desk on this type of design works well when two people share the office space and have different office requirements that necessitate separation of spaces. Add additional guest seating in the opposite corners, and paint the walls in a darker neutral tone to add warmth. Include a small table near the chairs with a lamp. Place one or two lamps on the doubled desk. Keep the blinds trim in design, so they are suitable for a gender-neutral environment. Add a space rug to bring in accent colors and texture. The desk chairs should match in color even if the styles are different.
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Tips & Warnings
Function is the primary consideration when designing an interior office space. Custom make the storage as necessary to create a space for everything so the space remains clean and tidy. When an office becomes cluttered, it quickly gets out of hand and the space may completely lose function to where it is no longer usable.
Keep the tones neutral. Make sure the drapes function, as glare can be a real issue with computer screens. Add good lighting for any specific task work. Make chairs ergonomically correct for hard use and longer hours.
References
- Photo Credit arquitetamovel flickr#1380776790
