Homeowner Advice

General tips and advice for homeowners covering maintenance, seasonal tips and everyday property care.

Working From Home: Home Office Ideas

20th May 2022

One of the unexpected positives of the global pandemic is an increased flexibility in work procedures. The downside is that cramped office spaces that would just about do pre-Covid, just don’t cut it now that they are used regularly and, potentially, by various family members. Even if you are fairly limited on space, with a little creativity and maybe some professional help, you can create a great home office space to meet your needs.

Create a cubby

If you rent a room in a shared house, or for teens looking for their own workspace, one option is to downsize on the wardrobe to create a study nook. You may not even need to downsize; simply by moving a wardrobe out of the corner, you will create a natural recess into which you can add a desk, memo board, and appropriate lighting. Just the act of creating a “cubby” will help the desk space to feel separate to the rest of the room, and help create an environment conducive to focusing and learning.

Under stair office

The space under the stairs is often wasted; if you don’t make the most of your under-stair void, then it could be the perfect location for your home office space. If the space is currently enclosed, ask a carpenter to open it up for you; a good carpenter will be able to leave some storage and give you clever ideas about optimising the space.

Choose your furniture wisely

One of the biggest issues with creating a home office space is finding somewhere that will fit a desk. If you are short on space, a corner desk can be a great idea as it allows you to create a defined workspace without dominating the room.

Create a space with colour

Creating an office space isn’t just about the desk and the chair, it is about creating an environment that allows you to focus on work. Keep the décor light and simple, look for innovative ideas to keep clutter to a minimum. You can even try painting the office section of a room a different colour to help define the area as one for work. Another option is to create a cubby-style area by using painted wooden panelling attached to the wall. This can be a striking feature as well as helping you to mark out a workspace.

Close the doors on work

One downside of home working is that it is hard to switch off, especially if the office space is in a living area or bedroom. By building your home office into a large cupboard or dresser, you can make sure that you can shut the doors on work at the end of the day. You don’t have to use a cupboard; if your office is in an alcove or created cubby, a carpenter can put doors on it for you. What’s more, when the doors are open, the insides offer valuable extra wall space for memos, calendars etc.

If you are inspired by our office ideas, get in touch with a local carpenter to see how they can help. For more tips, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

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Find clear, practical answers to common homeowner advice questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

What home repairs should I never attempt myself?

Gas work - full stop. Any work on gas appliances must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer by law. Structural changes like removing walls, altering roof timbers, or touching anything load-bearing need professional assessment and often Building Regulations sign-off. Electrical work involving the consumer unit or new circuits must meet Part P. And if your property was built before 2000, be aware asbestos may be present - it can only be handled by a licensed specialist.
Which home improvements add the most value to a property?

Improvements that add usable space or modernise the rooms buyers scrutinise most tend to deliver the strongest returns. Loft conversions consistently top the list - adding a bedroom and bathroom can add more value than the work costs in many areas. Kitchen and bathroom updates are next. Open-plan ground-floor extensions connecting to a kitchen-diner have become one of the most sought-after layouts in UK family homes. And energy improvements - insulation, a new boiler, solar panels - are increasingly influencing buyer decisions as running costs become a bigger part of the conversation.
Should I renovate my home or move house?

There's no universal right answer - it depends on your situation. Moving gets you what you want without living through a building site, but stamp duty, estate agent fees, and moving costs can easily add up to tens of thousands of pounds. Renovating lets you stay put and invest in your own property, but comes with disruption and unexpected costs. The most useful comparison: get a clear view of what your home could realistically be worth after the work, and what a move would actually cost end to end. A local estate agent and a builder's quote can give you those two numbers.
What does a home survey actually cover and do I need one when buying?

A survey is an independent assessment of a property's condition carried out by a qualified surveyor - separate from the mortgage valuation, which only tells the lender what the property is worth, not what's wrong with it. A HomeBuyer Report flags visible defects and anything that needs further investigation. A Full Building Survey goes deeper and is worth the extra cost on older, larger, or unusual properties. Given that a house is likely the biggest purchase you'll ever make, skipping the survey to save a few hundred pounds is a false economy - a single missed issue can cost far more to put right.
What should I do before starting any major home improvement project?

Get your paperwork in order before anyone picks up a tool. Check whether you need planning permission or Building Regulations approval. Find out whether a Party Wall Agreement applies. Confirm your home insurance covers you during the works. Get at least three written quotes and make sure the scope of work is clearly agreed in writing with whoever you hire. And have a contingency budget - on almost any renovation, something unexpected comes up. The projects that go smoothly are usually the ones that were properly planned before they started.
What is the difference between freehold and leasehold and why does it matter for home improvements?

If you own the freehold, you own the property and the land it sits on outright - you can generally do what you like subject to planning rules. If you own a leasehold property (common with flats), you own the right to live there for the remaining lease term, but the freeholder owns the building. This matters for home improvements because many leases require you to get the freeholder's written permission before making alterations - sometimes even internal ones. Always check your lease before starting any work, as doing alterations without the required consent can cause problems when you come to sell.

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