Following our talk with Houzz, we’re excited to start a series showcasing our top renting rules. Whether it’s nifty ideas of creating a dining space or adding little touches to the kitchen, follow our #RentingRules hashtag on Insta for more inspiration.
First up, let’s tackle home office spaces. At our Houzz talk, we shed some light on the average size of a London rented flat. 46sqm is what we’re generally working with. Usually, we have a living room, a bedroom and a kitchen/dining space, so it’s key to maximise your area to make it the best home for now that it can be.
Image source: Houzz
According to Forbes, one in two of us will be freelance by 2020 and with so many of us renting, it’s important to create a creative, breakaway space.
Maximising all areas is key
Whether it’s a window bay, an alcove in a living room or being inventive with cupboard & under stair space, seek out areas which can be utilised. There are many compact desks on the market that would be perfect for spaces on the smaller side. Corner desks fit snug and don’t distract from the rest of the room. Much like ladder designs, which sit compactly against a wall. Easily propped up, they offer areas to showcase decorative accessories as well as a small desk area to get your head down.
Keep it small and compact
Writing desks, especially bureaus, are great. They pack away nicely, hiding a manner of sins. Great if you’re not one for keeping a tidy desk. We bagged a little wooden vintage number from a charity shop, so do keep your eyes peeled for bargains.
Or, for a high-street alternative try…
Bureau desk, £150 from Ikea
However, if space is really limited, then something that will fold away is the best solution. It will involve some holes in the wall (which we do tend to avoid at all costs) but would work perfectly, especially in somewhere like a studio flat.
Eddie Wall Mounted Floating Desk, £20.99 from Wayfair
Left; Flapps Folding Wall Desk by Ambivalenz, £165 from Amara Centre; HOME Compact Folding Easy Clean Desk, £44.99 from Argos Right; Esme Wall Desk, £149 from Made.com
And at the end of the day when you need to shut off, you simply shut down and fold shut.
Zone the area
Like any space in a rented home, it’s all about zoning the room. Rugs can completely transform a space and make an area feel like it’s own closed off space. Also consider lighting which is naturally important for an office. As well as desk lamps, consider an overhead pendant light or floor lamp near your area. Especially if your work space is being shared with the living room, you need to ensure that you’re keeping it separate, yet still cohesive, with the rest of the space. All whilst not distracting anyone who is trying to watch the telly.
Make it inspiring
Finally, make your home office space as inspiring as it can be. You may like the minimalism of a white wall or the chaos of mementos and art, either way make it work for you. A statement wall of art will naturally add colour and impact to a space. Remember to use those handy Command Strips to avoid too many holes in the wall. You could even consider a wall transfer for a bold and graphic look.
Whether you’re freelance and need an area to nestle down during the day, a budding novelist looking for a creative space to express yourself, or simply on the lookout for a getaway to surf the web on an evening, hopefully this has helped spark some inspiration.
Time to clock off,
David & Mark x
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