Home work zone

From the Resene colour inspiration – latest looks gallery

A home workspace can be much more transient than it used to be, something that can be moved around to suit the task or need at hand.

Determining whether you need a fixed or flexible space comes down to work-life balance. Figuring out how much time you spend on your computer, if you use one, and how you deal with distractions is key. The more honest you are with your assessment, the happier you’ll be – and the more likely you’ll be to actually use your office space over somewhere cosier but less appropriate, such as the couch or bed.

While an entire dedicated room is likely no longer a necessity, having a dedicated zone can help with productivity and concentration levels. It’s more about creating a space where you know you have to go to work, and you can therefore limit the distractions around you.

The beautiful art deco-style console table in this living area works wonderfully as a ‘sometimes office’. It doesn’t take up as much space as a traditional desk, but the height and scale work well enough for casual computer work, letter writing or home management activities like paying the bills and the lower shelves provide two bonus surfaces to place books you may need to reference. The graphic wall effect in Resene Influential and Resene Time After Time has been painted over two coats of Resene Magnetic Magic to create a clever note board that doesn’t look obvious but is always there when you need it. Everything else can be easily stashed away when company comes over.

The main wall is painted Resene Wishing Well, an on-trend sapphire blue that, based on colour theory studies, is a shade that could help increase productivity. The side table is in Resene Half Tea. While it works as an additional space to place decorative accents, like the vases that have been painted Resene Soulful, Resene Time After Time and Resene Influential to coordinate with the artwork, throw and floor mat, it also has a handy drawer for stashing away pens, paper clips and other small office supplies so that they’re close at hand when you need them.

Having the right lighting is very important for not only seeing what you’re doing but also for avoiding eye fatigue. It’s healthy to have a good amount of natural light but be sure to add a suitable task lamp either on the desk or floor of your working space as well.

Because this space is always out on display, an attractive chair and desk accessories in brass wire match the tone of the desk surface, the lamp and the legs on the side table while their see-through nature create the illusion that they’re not taking up as much space as they actually are. Add a throw in a coordinating colour for a bit of comfort and so it’s always at hand if you get chilled working into the evening. A soft rug that feels good on bare feet adds additional cosiness while the playful shapes tie in with the artwork and accessories for extra style points.

Paint: Resene Wishing Well (with Resene Influential and Resene Time After Time feature). Floor: Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash. Sidetable: Resene Half Tea. Large Rounded Vase: Resene Soulful. Large Angled Vase: Resene Influential. Small Ribbed Vase: Resene Cleopatra. Small Fluted Vase: Resene Time After Time. Plant Pot: Resene Half Tea. Low Dish/Bowl: Resene Half Tea.

Accessories: Anamur Floor Rug, Discus Console Table, Blaire Dining Chair in navy, Brandon Dining Chair in Black and Olmec Office Chair in Gold/Brass from Freedom Furniture; North Island Saddleback on a Flax Flower Art Print by Emma-Kate in 420mm White Square Frame from Endemic World; Messing Table Lamp in Brass/Marble from Nood; Jennifer Cotton Throw in Pink, Pampas Grass in Berry, Timeless Side and Gold Look Wire Magazine Holder from Kmart; Magnets from Warehouse Stationary; All other office/stationary supplies from Kmart.