A home space to work for you

WORKING might be essential for most of us, but who hasn't dreamed — usually while suffering a cold commute or the tedium of office politics — of escaping and being based at home?

Goodbye to harsh overhead lighting, drab desks, irritating colleagues and eagle-eyed bosses. Hello to a brave new world where you rule the roost and decide what colour the stationary cupboard should be.

Working from home, whether by choice or necessity, is increasing, thanks in part to the huge leaps in technology we've seen over recent decades.

More than a quarter of British workers now sometimes operate from home, while the number of people working "mainly" at home is around 13 per cent.

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If you're serious about working from home, being set up with the right computer and printer is one thing — but it's far from the be-all-and-end-all.

You'll also need to think about creating a suitable work space. Not only will this ensure you're productive, it's crucial for your wellbeing too, and for working from home to be a pleasure.

"It's a great choice but you need to ensure that you have a space that's functional and fits into your home," says Charlotte Hill-Baldwin, head of marketing at furniture specialists John Lewis of Hungerford.

"Celebrate the fact that your work zone can be just the way you want it, you can create a setting which inspires you, but also ensure that when you want to finish for the day you can conceal that working area easily.

"A little time and care taken in the planning, so that you really suit your needs, could help make you more productive and truly happy working at home."

Whether you want a desk to impress, a compact work station, or a special corner where you can deal with paperwork or enjoy a hobby, there's a solution for every home.

We've done the homework and you're the boss so choose a style that makes going to work a pleasure.

If you're lucky enough to have a whole room at your disposal to transform into a home office, it will pay dividends if it's designed specifically to suit your needs.

As this is a space where you're likely to spend large amounts of time, bad layout or poor storage solutions will quickly start to grate.

Also, if you're going to be holding meetings at home, you'll want to create a great impression that shows you're organised and professional.

Incorporating a work space into an existing living area is an increasingly popular solution, according to fitted furniture specialists Sharps.

Around per cent of us use a desk positioned in a living room or bedroom and 45 per cent of people work over the weekends at home, often uncomfortably perching on a sofa or bed using a laptop.

To work well, the space in a combined area should be well thought out, so it's practical but not intrusive when you're relaxing or socialising.

"A home work space doesn't have to be corporate or cluttered like a workplace office and should be designed to complement the rest of your home beautifully," says Rachel Dilekci, a design and planning expert at Sharps.

"Using lounge or dining furniture for work purposes can be extremely uncomfortable, and affect posture, concentration and productivity levels.

"It's far better to have bespoke solutions which suit working and the look of your home."

If you haven't got enough room to swing a proverbial cat, let alone a laptop, working from home can be stressful, so a smart versatile solution is essential. "If you're working in a small area you need to be creative with every inch of space," says Tom Kerry at The Holding Company. "Use stacking boxes, make sure they're labelled with a list of contents, and well thought out shelving units which can triple the amount of space available to you. Desktop stationery units and in-trays will keep paperwork in view but filed.

"Don't overlook making the space attractive, so that it's appealing to sit there, easy to focus, and you aren't facing any distractions such as a TV or play area."

One of the delights of working from home is that your work space doesn't need to feel corporate.

If you want an area where you want to do accounts, pursue hobbies or work, but also want to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, you can choose kit which suits your style.