Whether you work from home, just want to be able to surf the net and check email, or require somewhere for the kids to do their homework, you need a suitable space. We show you how you can integrate this area seamlessly into your home.

As we’ve become more and more dependent on technology in our daily lives, having a computer at home is a must for most people. This increased use of gadgetry gives greater flexibility – many of us can now work from home. It also means that we need to plan a suitable space, however big or small to suit this modern lifestyle. While we all have different requirements, there are general rules for making the most of the space and creating a home office area to be proud of.

It’s all in the planning
Alan Bora is the senior design manager at bespoke furniture company Neville Johnson (01453 828 789; nevillejohnson.co.uk), whose bespoke fitted office furniture costs around £4,000 to £10,000 on average. Alan has some useful advice on what to consider when planning a working area at home.

Think about function, he says. What do you want from your home office? How many people will be using it and what are their priorities? Does the desk need to be tidied up at the end of the day because it’s in a shared-use room?

Alan suggests you allow a depth space of 75cm for the desk, up to a total working area of 2.5m if you work from home. Also plan for a width of 60-85cm width of leg space under the desk, so you’ve got room to swivel or move your chair along to reach nearby items. The standard height for a desk is just over 70cm and your forearms should be at right angles to your upper arms when you type, so bear this in mind if you are creating bespoke furniture.

When planning storage, make sure you can reach most of the items you need regularly without stretching or getting up, so think about what these items are and what type of storage they’ll need.

Alan underlines the importance of choosing a good-quality chair which is on castors and supports your back and arms. Choose a height- adjustable chair if it will be shared by people of different sizes. Don’t forget to allow 70cm from the edge of your desk to the back of your chair for ease of movement. A corridor should be at least 1.5m wide to fit in a desk and chair, but would ideally be wider.

Another factor to consider, says Alan, is the number of electrical sockets you will need, and where the cables will be hidden. If you’re putting your desk in the middle of the room, have concealed sockets fitted into the floor nearby to avoid wires trailing across the floor and causing a trip hazard. Look for furniture with cable management trays at the back to ensure that all the ugly wires are kept out of sight.

Before investing in shelving, remember to measure the height of your files to make sure they’ll fit. Adjustable shelving is invaluable, says Alan, as it can adapt as your needs change.

Natural light is very important in a work area, and it is worth thinking very carefully about where your desk should be positioned to make the most of it. A desk lamp will cause tiring glare if it shines directly onto the computer screen, so fit recessed spotlights around the working area to give more general light.

Above all, it is crucial to design your work space so that you are able to work comfortably. Says Paul Godfrey, clinical director and physiotherapist at Health & Fitness Solutions (020 7702 1112; hfs.uk.net), ‘Your chair should support most of your thighs and lower back. The arms on the chair should support your elbows (your arms should be at 90°) but not your forearms – most chair arms are too long. Your hips should be 10 to 15° higher than your knees when your feet are flat on the floor. Your eyeline should be at the top of the screen to avoid neck ache – only use a laptop for short periods of time because they aren’t designed for ergonomics.’ Paul also emphasises the importance of taking regular screen breaks. ‘Every hour get up and walk around for 10 minutes to get the circulation going.’

The permanent working area
If you are working from home full-time, you are likely to have a room dedicated to work, or at least a permanent space in a room such as a guest bedroom, where you don’t necessarily have to tidy work away at the end of the day. Functionality, comfort and ergonomics are therefore likely to be your priorities in this set- up, rather than looks, and you should consider investing in specially tailored fitted furniture (from a specialist company or made by a carpenter) and a proper office-style chair from a company such as Vitra so that you can work as efficiently and comfortably as possible. Consider creating a dedicated space in a loft conversion, outhouse or garage if you don’t have a suitable space elsewhere. The materials you use to create the workspace are largely down to your budget and taste, but remember that labour costs will always be relatively expensive, so if you’re proficient at DIY, save money by doing the work yourself. Use a uniform palette of materials and light, calming colours where possible in smaller spaces to make them feel bigger.

Don’t, however, assume that expensive fitted furniture will boost the value of your property. John East, sales manager at the Surrey Quays branch of Kinleigh, Folkard and Hayward estate agents, says, ‘Having a built-in home office space isn’t likely to actually increase the value of the property – a house with three bedrooms is still going to be worth more than a house with two bedrooms and a study. But creating a special area for work and the computer in the home is now appealing to many more people.’

Built-in options
Specialist companies will visit and assess your needs in a consultation, and can adapt most spaces to suit you perfectly. Neville Johnson’s new bespoke Linea range, for example, even offers high-end details such as handleless drawers and cupboards, and gas-powered mechanisms so that units open easily. Prices start at around £4,000.

Words: Emma Morris