6 tips for a home office that works for your business and your home

Creating a working space at home often begins as a convenient and affordable option. But it can quickly turn a cosy spare room into an office filled with business cards, tools, hardware and everything else you need to run your company day to day.

Running an interior design business means my own office is packed with wallpaper samples, fabric books, tiles, flooring offcuts and hardware, all of which need to be stored, organised and easy to find.

Designing home offices for entrepreneurs across the UK has taught me how to make these rooms work in both form and function. Here are my top tips, whether you have a whole room or just a corner.

1. Face the world, not the wall

When you can look out at the world, you're far more likely to take short breaks and rest your eyes. It's good for your eyes, your mental health and your productivity.

If you can, position your desk to face a window or the room itself, rather than a blank wall.

2. Invest in a good chair

If I could only recommend one purchase, it would be an ergonomic chair. The Flokk RH Logic is one of my favourites, and it comes in a wide choice of fabrics. They aren't cheap, but think of your office chair the way you'd think of your mattress. You'll spend around eight hours a day in it, so it's worth investing in your posture and your back.

3. Hide the working day when it's over

Whether it's documents, notepads, branded merchandise or equipment, you don't want it all on show in the evenings and at weekends, when the room goes back to being part of your home.

Drawers and cupboards with doors are key. I'm a big fan of custom-built joinery because it uses every nook and cranny and adapts to your needs, though that isn't an option for everyone.

Here's what I'd look for in a desk or storage:

• Deep drawers for filing. My favourite are horizontal hanging inserts, which let you flip through papers quickly and keep everything organised.
• Cable management. Getting cables out of sight makes a space feel calmer and tidier. A joiner can build this in, or you can pick up inexpensive organisers from IKEA.
• Charging stations inside cupboards. Charge your kit out of sight and overnight.
• A pull-out drawer for the printer. It can be closed away when you're not using it. If you have a cat like me, they will also thank you for imprisoning their nemesis.

4. Get the lighting right for video calls

If you spend a lot of time on video calls, lighting matters more than you'd think, especially if you run coaching or training sessions where looking polished is part of the job. A desk in front of a north-facing window is ideal, as it gives soft, even light without the glare of direct sun. Avoid overhead lighting, which creates unflattering shadows.

If your window faces south, or you can't place the desk in front of it, wall lights are the next best option because they light your face evenly. A ring light does a similar job, but they aren't the most attractive objects.

5. Working in a small space

Plenty of Brighton homes don't have a spare room, and that's fine. A wall-mounted desk that folds up when you're done takes up almost no floor space and works if all you need is a laptop.

In a bedroom, position the desk out of your line of sight from bed, which makes it easier to switch off. In a living room, a slim console table can serve as a desk, with shelves with storage boxes above to keep the essentials close. Closed storage is important here, so your work isn't staring at you all evening.

6. Colour and personal touches

Greens, blues and natural wood feel calming, so they're a good starting point for walls or soft furnishings. Bright colours energise, but you may not want to live with them day to day. Then add accessories and mementos from holidays and happy memories. They keep you motivated and remind you there's life outside work.

Make it your own

There's no single formula for a home office. The best ones reflect how you actually work and live, and make it easy to switch off at the end of the day. Start with whatever will make the biggest difference to you, whether that's a better chair, tidier storage or a shift in where the desk sits, and build from there.

Studio Fiveways is a boutique interior design studio based in Brighton, founded by award-nominated interior designer Ieva Dudaite.

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk