Designing A Serene Study Space

Creating a stunning study or home office is an exciting task, but it requires careful planning and consideration. The design of your workspace should reflect your personal style, inspire creativity, and promote a calm and focused environment. Here are some essential tips to help you get started:

- Choose the right space: Select a room that is secluded and away from main living areas to minimise distractions. Ensure it has enough space for your furniture and equipment, with ample natural light and double glazing to reduce outside noise.

- Find the perfect desk: The desk is the main feature of your office, so choose one that fits your room comfortably and has ample storage. Consider your work style and whether you prefer a rectangle, L-shaped, or compact design. Don't forget to think about the colour and finish to match your décor.

- Pick a comfortable chair: Invest in a good quality, ergonomic chair that provides comfort and support during long work hours. Make sure it suits your work style and the space you have available.

- Add a statement piece: Include a statement piece of furniture or décor that adds interest and personality to the room. It could be an oversized desk, a vintage peacock chair, or a unique lamp—something that reflects your style.

- Lighting is key: Ensure your study or home office has plenty of lighting, including natural light. Experiment with different brightness levels and colour temperatures to find what works best for you. Consider adding a desk lamp for focused task lighting.

- Create a functional space: Include essential items such as a computer, external mouse, textbooks, writing utensils, and a calculator. Add inspiring decorations, such as plants or posters, and consider your seating options for longer study sessions.

- Remove distractions: Keep your workspace free from clutter and distractions like multiple monitors or messy snacks.

- Experiment with colours: Paint your office in a trendy colour like mint green or go for a moody hue to add drama. You can also add pops of colour with rugs, chairs, or drawers.

- Storage solutions: Built-in cabinets or bookshelves can provide ample storage and a stylish way to display your books and décor.

- Personalise your space: Include artwork, gallery walls, or a pinboard to add a touch of personality. Display items that inspire you, such as maps, quotes, or artwork.

Remember, the key to creating a stunning study or home office is to blend functionality with your personal style. Make sure your space is comfortable, inspiring, and free from distractions to help you stay focused and productive.

Choose a vibrant and inspiring colour scheme

When choosing a colour scheme for your home office, it's important to select a hue that reflects the atmosphere you want to work in. Do you want to bring an energizing colour to your space? Or do you need something more relaxing?

If you're looking for a vibrant and inspiring colour scheme, you might want to consider the following:

• For a small study room, stick to neutral colours or white. This will make the space feel larger and more spacious, while the furniture and decor will add pops of colour.
• For a dedicated study room, consider pastel shades of bold colours or calming jewel tones. Red, blue, green, brown, and yellow or gold colours can look classy and lively. According to colour psychology, these shades inspire different emotions that can enhance productivity and creativity.
• Grey and blue is a harmonious colour combination that creates an intimate environment for quiet contemplation.
• Dark colours, such as navy, can make a small room appear more spacious.
• Bright colours can help improve focus, especially for those who lack concentration.
• If you want to foster a creative and inspiring environment, don't be afraid to use pattern and colour.
• Green is a tranquil colour that is said to improve concentration. Shades such as rosemary, sage, and emerald can help you stay on task.
• Pink, from pleasant peach tones to cheery corals, is a versatile colour that works wonders in any space. Pair it with mid-century modern furniture and white trim for a fun and functional look.
• Grey paint colours strike a timeless balance between modern and classic, giving your home office a smart and sophisticated vibe.
• For a cool and soothing atmosphere, consider blue-grey or slate teal.
• Yellow can act as a stand-in for a neutral, especially in spaces with lots of natural light. Pair it with blue accents for a casual coastal vibe.
• For a bold and dramatic look, consider a monochrome colour scheme. Black and white can create a sophisticated and smart study or home office, but be sure to add plenty of texture to make the space feel cozy and welcoming.

Remember, the most important thing is to choose colours that you love and that reflect your personality and work requirements.

Install bookshelves

Bookshelves are a necessity for avid readers. They are also a great way to display your favourite books and collections. You can install a built-in bookcase or opt for tall shelving if you have limited space. For larger rooms, floating shelves or a wall-to-wall bookcase can be a great option.

If you're handy, you can even build your own DIY bookshelves using base cabinets and MDF or plywood for the shelves. You can also opt for a more affordable option by using IKEA BILLY bookcases as a base and building on top of them.

When installing bookshelves, consider the amount of space you have and the number of books you need to store. You can also add lighting above each shelf to illuminate your books and collections.

If you want to add a unique touch to your study or home office, consider building a custom bookcase with an open space in the middle for extra seating. You can also hire a local woodshop to build custom doors for your bookcase if you desire a more finished look.

Bookshelves are a great way to optimise your space and display your favourite items, so get creative and choose a style that suits your needs and tastes!

Pick the perfect desk

Picking the perfect desk is essential for creating a stunning study or home office. The desk will likely be the main feature of the room, so it's important to choose one that suits your needs and style. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect desk:

• Consider the size of the desk: Think about how much room you need for your work. If you need space to spread out papers and books, go for a larger desk. If all you need is room for a laptop and a cup of coffee, a more compact desk may be suitable.
• Think about storage: Decide how much storage you need. If you have a lot of files and supplies, look for a desk with drawers or shelves. If you prefer a minimalist look, you can opt for a desk with sleek lines and no extra storage.
• Choose the right material: Desks come in a variety of materials, such as wood, metal, glass, or a combination of these. Consider the style of your room and your personal preference when selecting the material.
• Pay attention to the colour and finish: Make sure the desk complements the décor and aesthetic of your home office. You can choose a neutral colour like white or grey, or go for a bolder shade that adds a pop of colour to the room.
• Think about the shape: Desks come in various shapes, such as rectangular, L-shaped, or compact. Consider the layout of your room and your work style when selecting the shape of your desk.
• Don't forget the chair: A comfortable and ergonomic chair is crucial for long study or work sessions. Look for a chair with good back support and adjustability to ensure you can work in comfort.
• Lighting is key: Place your desk near a window to take advantage of natural light. You can also add a desk lamp to provide additional lighting for tasks that require more focused illumination.
• Create a functional workspace: Ensure your desk is in a space where you can feel settled and focused. Consider the placement of your desk in relation to windows, walls, and other furniture to create a productive and inspiring environment.

Add a statement piece of furniture

Adding a statement piece of furniture to your study or home office can be a great way to express your personality and create a space that is truly yours. Here are some tips to help you choose and style a statement piece of furniture:

• Be creative in your approach and think outside the box when shopping for a statement piece. Estate sales, antique shops, and even yard sales are great places to find unique and eye-catching pieces that will become the focal point of your room.
• Consider the scale of the furniture in relation to the size of your room and other accessories. You want to create a balance between the statement piece and the rest of the space to ensure functionality and day-to-day usability.
• Don't be afraid to choose a bold colour or pattern for your statement piece. A green velvet sofa, for example, can draw the eye while exuding luxury and comfort. Just remember to keep the surrounding furniture and décor more subdued to let your statement piece shine.
• Make your statement piece a feature by choosing bold colours, large pattern structures, or ornate details. However, don't forget to give the furniture space to breathe and ensure it doesn't overwhelm the room.
• Contrast the materials and styles of your statement piece with the rest of your furniture to create a balanced look. Pair dark with light, organic with structured shapes, and patterned with simple block forms.
• Accessorise your statement piece to tie it into the rest of the room's design scheme. For example, if you've chosen a statement armchair, style it with a coffee table, throw, vases, and candles to create a cosy and inviting space.
• Take a step back and assess the final look. Make sure the statement piece is not lost in the room and that it reflects your personal style, bringing you joy when you return home after a long day.

Pick a colour scheme that invigorates

When creating a stunning study or home office, choosing a vibrant and inspiring colour scheme can make a huge difference. Here are some tips to help you pick a colour scheme that invigorates:

Find Inspiration

Draw inspiration from an image, item, or view that you love. This could be a piece of artwork, a rug, a photo, or a beautiful view outside your window. Identify a few specific shades within the design that appeal to you and use them as a starting point for your colour scheme. For example, if you have a floral chair with multiple hues that you love, pluck out two or three colours and use them as accents throughout the room.

Choose a Colourful or Neutral Base

If you want your study to feel spacious and bright, opt for a neutral base colour like white or beige. This will make the space feel larger and allow your furniture, books, and decor to pop with colour. On the other hand, if you have a dedicated study room, consider pastel shades of bold colours like red, blue, green, or yellow. These shades can inspire different emotions and put the functionality of the room into perspective.

Consider Light and Dark Colours

When selecting your colour scheme, think about the impact of lighting in the room. Daylight is considered the perfect light source as it has a uniform intensity across the visible spectrum of colours. If your study has an abundance of natural light, experiment with how the shifting light throughout the day affects different colours. Warmer colours can soften shadows, while cooler colours react well to artificial light.

Play with Colour Values

In each room, try to incorporate a mix of light, dark, and bright colours. This helps to create a sense of balance and prevents a multi-hue palette from looking chaotic. You can also use light and dark colours to manipulate your sense of space. For example, a small room can feel larger with light colours, while a large room will feel more intimate with darker shades.

Ground with Neutrals

Include neutral shades in your palette to create a cohesive and harmonious look. When creating a colour scheme for a client, interior designers typically ensure that at least 50% of the colours are neutral. This makes it easier to build a room around and provides a soothing backdrop for bolder accents.

Be Judicious with Pop Colours

If you're using a "pop" of colour, such as an accent wall or a colourful piece of furniture, make sure the shade is consistent across the room. This will make it feel purposeful and intentional.

Remember, there's no right or wrong way to select a colour scheme. The most important consideration is finding a combination that feels right to you and reflects your personal style.

Frequently asked questions