Cord control. “Hiding cords and functional items, such as a printer, was an important part of the design to ensure a clean, modern yet functional space,” Peale says. “We took this into careful consideration during the design process. The custom desk was built with cord management. We used Bocci minimalist outlets that seamlessly integrate into the wood slats. The printer is on a rollout shelf in a lower cabinet. The upper cabinets operate on a Blum Aventos lift system for easy access while keeping papers and other items out of eyesight. The large monitor is on a swivel bracket and when not in use sits flush against the wall.” Designer tip. “Think through your organizational needs,” Peale says. “Clients love the idea of a floating desk but don’t think through the logistics of all of the cords. Many desks don’t offer a lot of storage, so ensure you think through how much paper, etc. you need to store. Lastly, home offices are one of the most utilized spaces in a home. So make sure it looks good and feels good.”
The most-saved home office photo of 2022 is this sophisticated space in Houston designed by Laura U Design Collective. The soft blue paint on the walls, windows, shelves and cabinetry (Little Falls by Benjamin Moore) unifies the space. The walnut desk and side chair add warmth and complement the serene blue and cream tones.
Penberthy Custom Builders turned a basic closet in Houston into a Swiss Army knife-like built-in with a nifty desk that pulls out to an L shape to expand the work surface and footprint. There’s a sewing machine pictured, but one could also imagine a laptop and printer setup for a compact work-from-home office. And at the end of the day, the desk tucks away and doors close to hide any mess.
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