How to create the dream Working From Home Space by trying out all the options using 3D mockups first to avoid costly mistakes.
Sarah spent too much time doing Zoom calls in the uncomfortable spare room. She desperately wanted a revamp to make a WFH space she loved and would be proud to show off. Plus, she wanted to avoid costly mistakes.
This room has to be flexible – for guests, for storage, never mind a wonderful working from home space each week. I wanted to give my Sarah lots of options before committing, so I shared various 3D mockups. That meant not one penny was spent on new furniture or accessories until she chose the final design. This is truly the best way to avoid costly mistakes.
Where should the desk go?
The first question was the position of the desk and the answer was easy. It would be across the window. Sarah would have views of the sky and town and we finished it off with a wood venetian blind to control the light. We ruled out a built-in desk because we wanted to allow full access to the window.
Then the bed – what size and style?
Maybe just a day bed or bed sofa? Or a trundle bed which is 2 singles, one which rolls out from underneath. I did some 3D mockups with different beds and in different positions.
The 2 singles idea was ruled out pretty quickly. And why?
A normal single is 3ft 6” wide (106 cms). A trundle bed is therefore more than 2 metres wide plus the thickness of bedding. This is too much space to sacrifice and you’d still be in a single bed.
Or should it be a sofa bed?
I haven’t spent many nights on sofa beds. In my whole life I have encountered only one comfortable sofa bed, so personally I will go out of my way to avoid sleeping on one. Also, it wasn’t the look Sarah was after.
Going back to the aim of creating the dream Working From Home space
We opted for a 4ft 6” double which is wide enough to be comfortable, yet left sufficient space around it. Choosing a divan meant no footboard to intrude on video calls and no precious space taken up by a frame. I recommend storage beds and especially ottoman style.
And what about the position of the bed?
On a video call, it’s a shame if it looks like you’ve been banished to the bedroom. You deserve a better space to work in several days as week.
With 3D plans, I could show Sarah all the options and let her take her time to decide. Then ee played around with ideas for creating an attractive backdrop.
In the end, we added a bank of open shelving to “widen” the wall parallel to the bed. A statement, large-format canvas was acquired and hung which sets the scene nicely. And an oversized plant screens off the door. When I see a door on a video call, I always wonder if a random child might burst in!
Bespoke joinery
A joiner created a high shelf bridging the two large cupboards which flank the desk. He did the same along the open bookcases and wrapped the new shelf across the top of the doorway too. The joinery makes it look much more luxurious and now boasts an impressive storage for little labour cost.
The amount of thought that went into this room has really paid off. Every centimetre is used well. It is a space devoted to the lovely person that spends 4 days a week in it. And she couldn’t be happier.
If your space isn’t working for you, or if you want the dream working from home space, let’s talk.
I help busy professionals to love their home by making the space work for their individual lifestyles. I love being challenged by tight spaces and an unusual brief. Check out my other blog posts here.
