JUNE 30, 2021

Transforming your Foyer into the Perfect Home Office.

Over time, our homes have become much more than places to gather with family or a place to relax after a long day of work. This once sacred space has suddenly become our workplace, school, gym, yoga studio and more.

Over the last year, we can likely all agree that working from home can become challenging without a traditional home office. Even as life returns to normal, for many, the option to work from home, or a hybrid model of working from home a few days a week looks like it could be here to stay. That said, it’s important to establish a designated area in your home, that’s well-equipped, organized and free from distractions or daily chores, so you can stay focused and productive. For condo residents without the option of turning a bedroom into an office full-time, other single-use spaces can be reprioritized to be designed for long-term focus, comfort, and success.

The Foyer.

 Traditionally, foyers were designed to connect a home’s entrance with rest of the interior spaces. The foyer is usually an area used to store outerwear including shoes, jackets and umbrellas and tend to be sparsely decorated with mirrors and side tables, or a bench. However, this month I’ll be showing you how to turn your foyer or “storage room” into the home office you have been dreaming of.

Expert advice from The Lobby.

When looking to turn a single use room into a multifunctional space, try combining spaces with mutually exclusive uses. For instance, unless you are a chef you are probably not trying to cook and work at the same time. Similarly, while a foyer can functionally be a very important area, you are likely not spending a great deal of time there unless you are leaving or entering your home… therefore, making it an option to accommodate multiple uses.

Recently, Tridel’s Design Services team at The Lobby was asked to reprioritize a foyer to be used as an office space. The client’s priority was to maximize living space while also including space for a desk to work during “business hours” that can be closed off occasionally.

As you can see in the plans above, the laundry room and entry closet were combined into one, and a set of pocket doors were incorporated. The doors provide privacy when using the space as an office and can be kept open when not in use. The location of the bathroom door was also adjusted to square off the new office space.

The Design Services team also sketched up a few different options on how to finish the space, starting at a more price-conscious level (step one), working up toward more custom finishes and bespoke millwork (step four).

Step one – Add pocket doors: We added two pocket doors with glass inserts and door trim. When open, these slide into the wall and disappear to keep a feeling of openness throughout the suite.

Step two – Add built-ins: We used the same cabinetry as the kitchen to create a seamless transition between the spaces. Uppers and lowers provide plenty of storage, and a matching panel at the back of the desk helps create a more unified look.

Step three – The details: Want to elevate the space even further? We added additional wood panelling, and opted for a quartz finish on the desk to make the space feel extra special.

Step four: Lastly, as a final option to transform this space, we could incorporate trim-less floor-to-ceiling doors instead of more traditional pocket doors for the ultimate luxe look.

As working from home becomes a norm for many people, we have no choice but to reprioritized single-use spaces. Thankfully, the design team at The Lobby is available to guide Tridel homeowners through the process of customization and personalization. The Lobby, is Tridel’s meeting place where clients can choose amongst the different selections and finishes available to them – flooring, tiles, countertops, cabinetry, and so much more.

Extra tips for your home office space

1. Find a quiet spot. If you want to be able to focus while working from home, try finding a spot free of distractions to set up your office. If you don’t have a den or a foyer to work with, try bringing your small desk into your bedroom or using your dining table as a desk part time.

2. Give it a personal touch. Surround yourself with items that inspire and motivate you – this will help you boost your productivity. You can start by painting the walls with your favourite colour, or buying new stationery and accessories.

3. Invest in ergonomic furniture. Well-designed and ergonomic furniture will allow you to focus on your work for longer periods, take a look at some of these options:

• Standing desk. A standing desk may reduce the risk of neck and back pain, and provides an option to not sit all day.

• Laptop stand. Rising your screen to eye level prevents strain on your neck and back caused by a forced downward perspective.

• Additional screen. Dual monitors make multi-tasking easy, copying and pasting between two documents is painless.

• Adjustable chair. Adjusting your chair can help prevent from sitting in an awkward posture.

Connect with us on social. 

Head over to our Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter and share your thoughts with us!    

We’d love to see how you’ve personalized your #HomeOffice to make it work for you during the pandemic. Tag us @tridel and use #TridelDesign in your posts.

Jim Stoops, Director Design Services

Jim believes in ignoring the rules and creating spaces that are personal and tailored to the client. His design style leans toward layered, saturated spaces with an identifiable history.