Working at home doesn’t have to feel like working “at the office” – unless, of course, you want it to. More than ever, today’s demanding, competitive careers and lifestyles offer, or require, flexibility – and access to a workspace that allows for productivity at home. When planning the luxury modern office design for your home, there are a number of questions to consider, to ensure that the resulting space is completely tailored to your needs and preferences.
First and foremost, how would you like to work at home? Is your workspace for occasional, supplementary use or is it the primary hub of your working life? Would you like to incorporate the workspace into the design of their home in a way that feels seamless and natural? Or perhaps it’s important to you to keep your office separate from your living space – so that while you have the convenience of working at home, you can maintain a separation between the demands of your work and personal lives.
The type of work you do and how you approach it is, of course, also incredibly relevant. Do you work alone or do you need space for in-person meetings or consultations? Perhaps a dedicated spot for video conferencing, broadcasting or recording? Is it just you and your laptop, or do you need space to spread out? Is your work more suited to a sleek and modern look, or is it more sophisticated and traditional, or playful and vibrant? How might this blend with the overall look of your home?
Here are a few specific elements to consider when discerning the best luxury modern home office ideas to suit you:
Location & Logistics
Wherever you choose to work, an ideal home office space will feel luxurious and promote your productivity. A location with ample natural light will create an inviting and energising atmosphere, and a space with a view will offer further inspiration and a welcome break from the screen.
If you simply require a space for occasional or supplementary work, perhaps integrating a workspace into an alcove, or discreet corner would be ideal. If more separation would be preferred, consider assigning the office to a dedicated room or even a purpose built extension, or garden room or other revitalised outbuilding for a setup that’s truly the best of both worlds.
If your work requires frequent meetings or visitors, would a dedicated separate entrance be best? Does your work require particular tools, materials or space to create? If you’re frequently on video conferences or recording – consider how your workspace can be organised to ensure the stage is always ready when inspiration strikes.
Furniture & Objects
Few spaces see form and function align more than a home office. While incorporating a statement feature can elevate the look and feel of any room, in a luxury home office the choice of statement can be particularly nuanced and impactful. In a home office, the need for storage space, resources, work surfaces, seating and inspiration all factor in when determining areas of emphasis.
A desk is often the focal point, and making the right choice can set the tone for the whole room. Investment in an elegantly characterful piece made with rich materials such as wood, marble, leather, or select metals can have a beautifully powerful effect. But even if you require a relatively large desk in your home office, it needn’t be aesthetically overpowering. A more minimalist desk can provide you with the functionality and allow for the focus of visual impact to be elsewhere if you prefer. Proportion, material and finish are what determine the overall result and balance functionality with the desired impact.
And a home office isn’t limited to strictly “office” furniture, particularly if you’re creating an occasional workspace that’s blended with your living areas. By thinking laterally, you can move away from traditional office styling and establish a home office that’s more akin to the interior design you’ve chosen for your home. In the right space, for instance, an upholstered chair and console or dressing table can create a multipurpose workspace that’s a compact and chic addition to a shared living space. Even in a dedicated office space, making some creative choices for worktops, seating and storage can go a long way to adding character and personality.
Storage & Shelving
Shelving that strategically blends display and discretion, hiding away any less-than-lovely necessities but keeping them in easy reach. Of course, what you choose to display will have a significant impact on the visual aesthetic of the room as well as the professional impression you convey – a carefully curated selection of books, objects and perhaps photographs is a must.
Bespoke joinery can certainly come into its own here. Whether it’s a specific configuration of shelving, a built-in desk, shared spaces, or hideaway options – the ideal solution often can be custom made to get it exactly right. Custom-made shelving and storage can be incredibly effective for homeowners who want to seamlessly blend professional functionality with a personal feel. With the potential for a completely bespoke design, a highly personalised solution can actually streamline your workflows and maximise your productivity.
Custom solutions have additional benefits as well. In addition to creating a totally tailored, unifying aesthetic, bespoke storage can also accommodate other integrations. These days it practically goes without saying that integrated technology is also a vital part of luxury modern office design. Not only is it essential to include seamless connectivity and power, but smart home automation to control lighting, shades, and climate can also make a significant difference to productivity and wellbeing during working hours.
Ergonomics & Practicalities
Some might assert that privacy, quiet and comfort are the ultimate luxuries. And when it comes to an office where you may spend many of your waking and working hours, that’s a sound perspective. Prioritising wellbeing, flexibility and versatility needn’t mean compromising on style when it comes to luxury modern home office ideas. Blending a luxury feel with the practicalities required of a hardworking home office can truly enhance and elevate your quality of life.
For instance, fabric wall panels can provide visual interest and an inviting feel, as well as effective sound proofing. Ergonomic chairs can be incredibly stylish and add comfort to long working hours. Organising storage around your workflows can add ease and promote productivity and efficiency, making the day more enjoyable and leaving more time for leisure.
Your desk is the powerhouse of your home office, so it’s worth taking the time to make the right choice. Of course, the type of work you do will largely determine what you need. If you regularly use multiple screens, for example, you may require a larger desk that provides you with extra space for hardware. Spacious, adjustable standing desks with space to move around can add a sense of health and vitality to the workday. If your desk sets the stage for meetings or consultations, choosing a statement-making showpiece may be the right choice. Alternatively, if it’s just you and a laptop or tablet, a more compact desk might suit you best.
Lighting & Ambiance
It’s no secret that the feel of a workplace can have an enormous impact on wellbeing and productivity. Creating a luxury modern office design at home is a wonderful opportunity to embrace this truth and exercise more control over the impact of your work on your life.
While ideally your workspace will benefit from as much natural light as possible, options are essential when it comes to lighting. Lighting has a significant impact on any space, and taking it into account early in the design process means it can be seamlessly integrated and its potential to complement the end result maximised.
Installing a stunning lighting fixture as a focal point adds both functionality and a touch of luxury to the space. Layering in dimmers, task lights and table lamps adds options for adjusting illumination levels and areas of focus.
Beyond lighting, choice of colour palette will go a long way toward creating the ambiance of your home office. Depending on your needs, preferences and the overall context you might choose something rich and warm, subtle and calming, or vibrant and energetic – but always sophisticated and in harmony with the rest of your home.
A carefully curated selection of artwork, alongside interesting textures among upholstery, rugs and window treatments will further add to the sense of character and personality in the space. Natural elements such as indoor plants or a small water feature can bring a sense of tranquillity, balance and abundance.
