Trends in our Toolbox: Home Offices

Thanks to a worldwide pandemic, working from home is now the reality for so many of us. Part of ‘the new normal,’ home office design has taken off!

A dedicated home workspace is something every member of the family needs, including pre-schoolers and teens. A space to allow for productivity every day of the week.

Practical luxury and functional beauty are the hallmarks of Marika Meyer Interiors, a full-service interior design firm since 2007 specializing in residential interior design.

We chatted with Marika about the changes in lifestyle of her clients and how her firm continues to create environments that are elegant, sophisticated and conducive to working at home.

Now that so many of her clients have worked from home for several months, they know what works and doesn’t work. “Trying to sit in the same room as your partner on Zooms is no good. All the new construction that we have begun since the pandemic includes his/hers offices,” explains Marika. “We are working on a new home in New York and are having fun playing up each spouse’s personality in their own space.”

For new custom builds, planning the ideal home office may even include a complete home gym and workout studio with wireless/internet connectivity throughout the home.

The biggest trend Marika has seen over the last few years is a pivot away from larger desktop computers to simple laptops which connect to the TV for either large screen viewing or for calls. It turns into a two-in-one and with televisions like the Samsung Art TV it is no longer an eyesore.

Acoustics may be as important a design choice as furniture and wall decor. A couple working from home may be looking for soundproof options to handle noise-free video calls.

The offices that Marika designs are softer, more comfortable and more personally decorated than in years past. “For us, that means no dark wood panels, nor dark wood built-in bookcases.”

No more commute time has translated into longer hours at the computer and because of that our clients want to be surrounded by spaces that bring them joy and are comfortable. This includes custom upholstery when reading or taking calls.

Comfort for optimal productivity is the focus when selecting office furnishings. The right size desk or table, seating with proper back support, and targeted task lighting turn workspaces into environments that inspire creativity.

“We still see that function dictates form and concealed storage is a must,” says Marika. “We always tuck away printers/scanners into custom millwork. The cabinets blend into a traditional milled space. Rather than using traditional wood we have fun adding colors and patterns.”