Written by Maddie Thorpe – if you have any lifestyle features you would like included, please forward them to maddie@localhost
In the wake of the global shift towards hybrid working, our living spaces have become more important than ever. For many professionals their flat is now both home and office.
While this allows for certain homely comforts and reduced travel costs, working from home can cause a breakdown between the ever so important work-life split. In this article you will learn how to embrace this fusion of work and home life by discovering how simple storage solutions and functional décor can allow you to transcend the functionality of your flats space for maintaining productivity, mental well-being, and keep hold of that ever so important work-life balance.
Desk Hacks:
Let’s embrace our new work environment by separating our living and working space. Think multipurpose desks that can be easily folded and transformed into other furniture and statement making furniture that seamlessly transitions from a workspace into a chic décor accent. Think sleek lines, luxurious materials, and functionality that exudes sophistication. Look for a desk that can be easily transformed, such as a cabinet desk. With the close of a door, you can remove work from sight and mind, leaving a beautiful statement piece for your flat, which is a perfect addition for a hallway or living room.
Here from Next Home, the Dark Oak Hideaway Desk, which will add a touch of rustic elegance to your environment.
Or perhaps you would prefer a swivel desk, that can transform from a side table into a desk with ample storage. We like Dunelm’s take on the swivel desk, again in that dark natural shade, bringing nature and trendiness together in one simple slide.
One of our favourite functional desks in the liftable coffee table, which is perfect for city flats with little space for extra furniture. You can transform your sitting room into an office with just a single lift and click. Perfect for the minimalist who wants to remove the chaos of their lives from their home. Here from Urban Outfitters is the Naya Pop-Up Coffee Table which bonds style and function into one easy lift.
Now for flats with limited floor space, why not try a wall-mounted desk, designed to redefine the concept of space-saving sophistication. As in a world where square footage is a precious commodity, a fold-away wall desk marries form and function, offering a solution that maximises limited floor space without compromising on style. Our favourites include this La Redoute Interiors, Nyjo Foldout Wall Desk, which allows you to transform any room into a sanctuary of spaciousness and simplicity, with the close of a door. The Nyjo desk also includes a shelf space for storage, so say goodbye to cluttered workspaces and hello to a new era of sleek, minimalist deign.
Storage Solutions:
To complement the elegant and minimal aesthetic provided by these workspace options, its crucial to keep in-sight work accessories to a minimum, opting for only the essentials to adorn your workspace. Vertical space becomes your greatest ally in this endeavour; consider installing floating shelves or wall-mounted organisers to keep your office supplies within arm’s reach while freeing up valuable surface space. This strategic utilisation of vertical space not only maximises storage capacity but also enhances the visual appeal of the room.
Ikea’s rendition of floating shelves incorporates the shelves into the aesthetic appeal of the flat, allowing you to strategically store your work supplies while keeping your aesthetic top priority.
Perhaps you’d like to keep your walls free for art and pictures of loved ones, so enter the sleek trolley on wheels- a versatile and stylish alternative for storing office supplies while keeping them neatly organised and out of the home space when not in use. Here is a trolley that abides by the rules of aesthetic appeal and work functionally, B&Q’s own Home Source Oxford Bamboo 4 Tier Utility Trolley.
Home Source Oxford Bamboo 4 Tier White Utility Trolley Kitchen Bathroom Organiser Unit
The beauty of a sleek trolley lies in its mobility and adaptability. With its compact design and convenient wheels, it effortlessly glides in and out of your living space, allowing you to store your office supplies discreetly when they’re not needed, this preserving the clean and uncluttered aesthetic of your home.
Another ingenious storage option worth considering is an ottoman. This multifaceted piece of furniture serves as a stylish seat but also contains a concealed storage compartment, providing a seamless blend of form and function. Picture this: a plush ottoman nestled elegantly beneath your desk. Yet, within its soft embrace lies a hidden treasure trove of storage space, perfect for stowing away office supplies, files, or a chaotic collection of wires and chargers- that we are all guilty of owning.
Presenting the Cotswold Company’s exquisite upholstered linen storage stool, where elegance meets efficiency. With its chic design and plush padded seat, this stool adds a touch of sophistication to any space while ensuring optimal comfort. Crafted with a compact element, it seamlessly blends into your home without comprising space or appearance.
Ashley Buttoned Stool – Stone Linen
Perhaps you’d like to elevate your ottoman from a mere storage solution to a decorative staple? Consider opting for designs that speak to your flat’s visual aesthetic. Seek out ottomans adorned with elegant patterns or bold colours that seamlessly match the ambiance of your living space. Whether it’s a sophisticated floral pattern or a velour fabric, let your ottoman become a statement piece that adds personality and flair to your home decor.
From Oliver Bonas is this Velvet and Rattan Ottoman, which is designed with a luxurious velvet material and a light-wood rattan frame, offering a stunning blend of comfort and style.
With its versatility and understated elegance, the ottoman becomes not just a piece of furniture but a symbol of ingenuity and sophistication in small-space living.
Maximising the functionality of apartment spaces is vital for achieving a healthy work-life balance and maintaining productivity. By implementing desk hacks and functional décor that allows you to take advantage of what your space offers, you can create a harmonious living and working environment that makes paying high rent worth it. With creativity and innovation, even the smallest apartments and flats can become efficient, inspiring, and enjoyable spaces for both work and leisure.
