An
increasing number of Londoners work from home to take advantage of
greater flexibility and to save on high office rental costs. Research
shows an average of five cent of people in London work mainly from
home, although according to the Greater London Authority this figure
rises to around seven or eight per cent in the Kensington, Chelsea
and Richmond area.
While some
houses and apartments have a designated home office, householders
with limited space are forced to become more creative with their
workspace. Desks and workstations are cropping up almost anywhere in
the home, from bedrooms to landings, living rooms, under stairs,
above garages, in attics and gardens. If you are moving to a new
home, or revamping an existing property, this article looks at the
benefits of decorating a home office with shutters.
Bespoke Shutters, London, design and fit made-to-measure wooden shutters for all shapes and
sizes of windows. Click on the above link to see our complete range.
The
Designated Home Office
If you
work from home it is vital to make the most of natural light as
research shows this helps improve health and productivity. Studies
show that a good source of natural light streamed into your workspace
also has a positive effect on the quality of your sleep, which
ultimately improves mood, according to researchers from the
Northwestern University in America.
Making the
most of natural light is one of the many reasons why plantation
shutters are a superb investment for a London home office. If you
live in a built-up area, where your office faces either a busy
street, or the house opposite, shutters benefit your workplace in
three main ways: they act as a ‘double or triple glazing’ and
help block out the noise from traffic and passersby, they ensure
privacy, and tier-on-tier shutters allow for greater flexibility than
curtains or shutters as you get to decide how much light flows into
your office.
Why
Tier-on-Tier Shutters Are a Good Investment?
Tier-on-tier
shutters are opened vertically in the middle and have a top and
bottom half that can be opened or closed independently from one
another. So, for example, you can leave the top half of the shutters
open, while opening the slats on the bottom half, to allow for
natural light and privacy. Or, if you want to take advantage of a
beautiful view to inspire creativity, you can open the bottom half of
your shutters, or better still, keep the shutters fully opened during
the daytime.
The
Traditional Home Office
Traditional
home offices look chic, sophisticated and timeless and are best
suited to period properties decorated in this style throughout. If
your job involves a lot of research work, you may want a few free
standing or purpose-built bookshelves to house reference books and
manuals. To hide clutter and paperwork, place a few files discreetly
in boxes on shelving so they don’t detract from this space.
An antique
style desk looks spectacular against a background of stripped wooden
floors. A cosy rug and a few armchairs adds warmth to this space, and
creates a place for client meetings. Plantation shutters or solid
shutters suit all types of homes, including traditional properties
and makes your home office look light and airy.
The
Contemporary Home Office
If you
prefer a contemporary home office, you can make the most of your
creative skills as almost anything goes. From glass desks to solid
wood workspaces, there are a variety of contemporary desks to choose
from.
The best
way to start is to choose a theme and work round it – for example
you may want a white space to evoke feelings of calm and
tranquillity, or go for bold or bright colours to keep you alert.
Whichever type of office you opt for, your work space should be
comfortable, and have an adjustable chair, if possible, so you can
ensure you are sitting at the correct working height.
Do you
feel contemporary prints and artworks inspire creativity? Or, adding
colour to your office (in the form of a vibrant rug or painted
shelving) makes you feel more energised? If you are looking to add a
subtle splash of colour, Bespoke Shutters supply and install shutters
in a wide range of colours to suit your office décor.
The
Work Station
If you
don’t have room for a separate office, you can create your own
workspace anywhere in the home. Just make sure that it is positioned
where you feel comfortable working, and you won’t have too many
distractions (if you have a busy family home, you may want to avoid a
kitchen or living room area).
Wherever
you choose to site your desk, make sure that it is has enough natural
light to have a positive effect on your output. If the landing is
your preference, you may want to sit the desk by the window. You can
easily create more privacy inside the home by placing a bookshelf or
screen near your desk if needed. Again shutters are a good choice as
you can maximise light without compromising on privacy.
The
Bespoke Shutter Company is experienced in supplying and installing
made-to-measure shutters in the London and Hertfordshire area. For
more shutter ideas, just click on the link below.
Shutters London – Click here to see our complete range of wooden plantation shutters
and solid shutters.
