Attractive stay-at-homers

While in the office you might be used to having a lot of desk space at your disposal the typical city apartment tends to offer scant space for large amounts of office paraphernalia. If the room is to serve as a living room when you down tools then it is not pleasant being able to see to-do lists and stacks of folders from your seat on the couch. One charming solution available is the “STENDHAL” bureau by Studio LucidiPevere for Ligne Roset: Its textile-covered double doors elegantly conceal compartments, a fold-out table-top made of walnut veneer and an LED desk light.

One good thing about teleworking is that we are entirely free to create our own personal workspace. So functional elements that offer a wide range of choices regarding color and design are ideal. Take the “SIMETRIA” collection: Besau Maguerre have designed eight differently shaped wall cabinets for Schönbuch, ranging from circular to rectangular that come in a wide range of colors. They are not only an attractive means of storing small items but might also inspire you to create a small installation on your wall.

It is not always easy keeping track of things when you are working from home. If you need to use paper, you need storage space. Something Relvãokellermann realized and which prompted them to design the trolley “pleto” for Gumpo; a mobile assistant of powder-coated steel that always stays discreetly in the background. Also very practically: its minimalist accessories such as pen holders. And those with small children at home who enjoy searching through your things for something of interest will appreciate the fact that “pleto” can be locked. Pedrali's "BOXIE" is also aesthetic and practical: depending on individual preferences, the handy roll container can be equipped with drawers or shelves. Made of polypropylene and steel, the designers Claudio Dondoli and Marco Pocci bring with "BOXIE" soft tones from powder to dark grey into the Home Office.

Our backs tend to like routine and when we switch to working from home may not respond well to the changeover. In the guise of the “D1 Office Chair” for Wagner Living Stefan Diez has brought a touch of comfort for those that work seated at a desk. His advancement of the Dondola® seat joint now provides four-dimensional sitting by decoupling the movements so that the back moves independently of the seat. This means micromovements are possible which take the strain off the spine and help prevent tension. In matt white the office chair looks especially elegant.

Working from home means multitasking and can also be playful: You can rest against the pommel horse seat (“Sitzbock”) by Rudolph Schelling Webermann for Wilkhahn while making a phone call or perch on it briefly to check something on your laptop. Moreover, the orange version of the through-dyed polypropylene seat makes for a bright eyecatcher whether in the living room or on the patio. For those looking for a little more comfort there is a non-slip felt saddle blanket. The side table collection "Diana" by Konstantin Grcic for Classicon is a much more streamlined affair: Depending on the version you choose this allrounder of sheet steel is a very useful item for teleworking whether for depositing a notebook, doubling as a seat or a newspaper rack, to name just a few options.

Laptop, mobile phone, printer, perhaps a second screen, telephone and router – anyone who works from home is quick to realize that the classic socket outlet is just not up to the job. What’s more, a multiple socket that is difficult to reach combined with a tangle of cables on the floor is not only an eyesore, but also a tripping hazard. So, Scot Wilson & Minimal came up with the “PowerPod” for Steelcase, an elegant, round device for table-top use that provides access to six power outlets and also features an energy-saving switch. And if you don’t need to charge your battery the device can be disguised by an accessory tray.

Early morning or perhaps later in the evening and through till late, whatever your preference working from home often means a shift in your work rhythm. And work lighting should be just as flexible as we are. In this instance, icons and newcomer make a perfect combination: Such as the LED version of the desk luminaire “Tolomeo” by Michele de Lucchi, “Tolomeo Tavolo Midi” for Artemide. Or the new edition of the “whip light” Midgard TYP 113, limited to just 100, whose first version was used years ago by Bauhaus students. In addition, a lightweight, portable light such as “Parrot” by Timon and Melchior Grau for Tobias Grau offers ample freedom of movement with a height-adjustable body and rotatable lamp head. The body comes in a choice of black, white, orange or light blue.

Work on the sofa? It sounds tempting, but most couches are not designed for the purpose. Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby have altered that and with “Soft Work” for Vitra created a seating system that leaves nothing to be desired for relaxed work at home: Flexible backrests are a key element of the ergonomic design. In addition, small swivel tables can be used as work surfaces, while concealed power outlets and USB-connections located between the seat cushions can, if needed, simply be pivoted upwards. Those that like to have the choice between table and sofa are often best off with a space-saving, streamlined desk like the compact new edition of “Compas Direction”, which Jean Prouvé once designed for Vitra: Made of solid wood and steel it is an ideal choice and timeless to boot.

When it comes to those small work utensils from pens to paper clips it is all the more important for those working from home to have practical storage space that digresses from the dull gray often associated with offices. A sentiment shared by Lievore Altherr, who designed “Paravan Mood” for Arper: A sleek looking set of met accessories available in white and black to accompany the panel collection “Paravan” – but is just as useful when used separately. “Studio Accessories” which Thomas Feichtner designed for Bene features a toolbox, utensil tray and book ends - made variously of steel, oak and ceramics. Finally, the “Float Shelf” by New Tendency is a minimalist streamlined shelf that fits perfectly above every desk.

For anyone who makes lots of phone calls in the office, the phone is part of their work routine and may well be joined by video conferences. Especially when working from home a noise-absorbing product that unites good looks with practicality is needed. With its textile cover available in many colors the cylinder-shaped suspension luminaire “BuzziProp” by Buzzispace not only creates a cozy atmosphere but also makes for relaxed acoustics.

“Cushions on four wheels” is how Pauline Deltour refers to the mobile stools called “Drop” she designed for COR. That is somewhat of an understatement. The collection of small and large round stools can function as surfaces or seats, while the version on wheels is great for flitting from A to B. And if more space is needed the stools can be quickly stacked on top of each other to create a colorful sculpture: The steel frames and cushions come in several matching colors, namely orange, yellow, blue and black.