MAKING IT WORK

As young people knuckle down to studies and home workers look for motivation at the end of summer, Jacqueline Wake Young has some tips for creating or improving a home work space

As summer starts to come to a close – don’t worry, it’s not over just yet – there’s a shift from play to work. Everyone has returned from their summer breaks, even if that was just a few days at the beach or somewhere scenic, and the kids are back into school mode. From now until the festive season, it seems there is so much to be getting on with, such as finishing all those home projects that were put on hold because it was just too nice a day to do DIY.

Meanwhile, schoolchildren and students have a whole new batch of studying to do – and that is made much easier if they have a pleasant, functional space to do that.

As for those working from home, this is almost the time of year when the days start to become shorter – and, with less daylight, some added incentives might be needed to get tasks finished.

A lovely new work space can provide a boost to anyone and offers the chance to not just study or work in comfort, but also to get organised.

Here are some tips for creating – or improving upon – a work or study area, especially if it’s in a bedroom.

MOVE THE DESK

Make sure you can look out of the window and the bed is not in your line of sight. Being able to look away from the screen and to a view beyond creates space to think and also helps avoid eye strain by regularly refocusing on different distances. Not being able to see the bed keeps your mind on work and off napping!

GET THE PERFECT CHAIR

No one wants to sit for hours on an uncomfortable chair – so start with getting this right if you expect your youngster to put in the hours it takes to revise for exams or do a major project.

BE BRIGHT WITH LIGHT

Can you see the keyboard as well as the screen? Can you read a book and also see to make notes? You need task lighting as well as general lighting.

CLEVER STORAGE

No one can work effectively in a guddle and, anyway, storage solutions are fun and a great way to tie the work space to the overall theme.

INTEGRATE BUT SEPARATE

Let the work space fit with its surroundings but find ways to zone it off from the bedroom – try putting it in a cupboard, hanging a curtain, or just closing down the screen, packing work things away and pushing in the chair every night.

Gleeson table lamp, matte black & brass, was £99, now £89, Cult Furniture.

Neptun office desk, black ash effect, £159, Cult Furniture.

Moon wall desk and office chair, £749, Furniture Village.

Charleston Loop and Spot pencil pot, £18, Cambridge Imprint.

Franklin office chair, vintage tan, £169, Cult Furniture.

Desk storage box, £19, Cambridge Imprint.

Deluxe office chair, £279, Office Furniture.

STUDY SPACE: Student desk and accessories from a selection at Dunelm.

Magazine file in Dancing Hare berry, £32, Cambridge Imprint.

Letter tray Dandelion bright blue, £29, Cambridge Imprint.