Design your SOHO with Vatsala

With a growing number of people opting to work from home, Small Offices Home Offices (SOHOs) have become common. In fact, new couples do ensure that they have a SOHO in place while setting up their home.

SOHO basically involves converting a part of your home to work area. The personal touch given to it makes you feel at home even while the décor and accessories maintain a level of professionalism. MetroMela thought this is the right time to speak with interior designer S Vatsala, who works with Form & Space, an interior designing firm for some tips. She says working out of home has its joys of flexibility but it can turn chaotic if the home-office doesn’t allow one to be productive. Here are her guidelines on what you should consider while setting up a SOHO.

Nature of Work
 
What’s your nature of work? Lawyers, real estate agents, artists, writers, architects or fashion designers could have different professional requirements. The nature of work defines the space requirements, the equipment, support staff and storage space. Like a lawyer may require a lot of simple storage space but a fashion designer may need to add more creativity to her SOHO for her visiting clients.

Location

Where you decide to locate the SOHO has to be a well-thought decision. It is crucial for easy movement and privacy at work. It could be a spare bedroom or even a glassed veranda. Access to the office should be separate and private enough to invite suppliers or clients without having to give a tour of the household. Make sure it is in a place where distraction due to sound from TV is minimal. Segregation of office timings from home is important while planning for an efficient home-office.

Space Planning

Furniture

Consider the acronym CAMP while demarcating space within the room.

    C - Computer Station
    A - Administration (paper work)
    M - Meeting area
    P - Project Space (For example, workshop space for artists, architects etc)
  
The focus should be on efficiency and practicality rather than picture-book neatness. Second hand roll-top desks, armoires that can hide unsightly equipment, antique desks for workstations, cheery prints for chairs, wood for flooring and area rugs make for good home-office furniture. A good chair is a very sensible investment. It would be ideal to blend the office décor with home. You could use furniture that is warm and individualistic rather than steel or aluminium office supplies.

Storage

You need storage furniture and it can be planned within the niches of walls. Built-in cupboards can be converted into filing storages. Properly located storage will keep the much-needed supplies within reach and also increase efficiency.

Office Equipment

Computer, photocopier, printer, fax machine, telephone, net connectivity and teleconference facility are ideally required for a SOHO.

Lighting

Home lighting is more ambient lighting. In SOHO, general lighting is a must while ambient lighting would make it more homely and warm. So depending on the nature of work, go for what suits you the best. Natural light from windows is also welcome.

Personal touch

Personal belongings like photographs, books, artwork, paintings done by children and also colorful posters lend a lot of vibrancy to the room. A lounger or a comfortable sofa for a quick power nap or even a space to ideate would help.

So make your SOHO and let us know how it turned out. If you have further questions, do let us know. We will try and get them answered for you.