Sillites SaveEmail Sillites Floor Receptacle Out of Sight, Out of Mind I once toured a magnificent home that became a turning point for the way I looked at luxury. One of the things that struck me most is that no electrical cords were visible anywhere. They weren’t traversing the family room floor or tacked down with a plastic cord keeper. They weren’t even twist-tied together. I felt like I had died and gone to design heaven. I decided that it was truly the height of luxury to have electrical outlets placed exactly where you need them — such as in the floor. Older homes tend to have a dearth of outlets, while open-concept floor plans make it challenging to figure out where to plug in your lights and electronics. Having floor outlets installed gives you the opportunity to place your side table lamps exactly where you want them without mucking up the space with unsightly cords.
This illustration shows a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when planning your home office. Always be sure to leave a clear space in which to maneuver your desk chair. File cabinets need enough room that you can open their drawers fully. So much equipment is now wireless that you might be able to place the printer across the room or even in a closet that has an electrical outlet. How you use your space will dictate its circulation path. If you have people visit your office, it’s important that they be able to move through it without obstructions. Think ahead to the type of storage you will need so that you have plenty of room for files, books and collections.
Built-in comfort. This Toronto condo office, by Boxwood Architects and Jill Greaves Design, is clean and comfortable with a slim desk, an Eames adjustable chair, an abundance of custom cabinets and bookshelves, and a cushy chaise for reading or relaxing. And then there’s that view. The Scandinavian-style room, about 8 by 15 feet, makes good use of its narrow dimensions.
had the shelves set on wooden blocks, then installed a piece of plywood molding around the bottom to make the bookcase appear built in. “It cost less than $300 and took about a day’s work,” she says. “It fits with my philosophy of using what is already out there, if you can. By getting the pieces on Craigslist, I didn’t have to assemble them, and I didn’t have to deal with the packing material. All I had to do was rent a van and carry them up three flights of stairs.”
Design idea: Murphy bed. Why: When quarters are tight, nothing beats a Murphy bed for maximizing space. This type of bed folds up into the wall when not in use, opening up the floor space for another purpose. How: Murphy beds can be found ready made, or you can have one custom designed to fit your space, in sizes from twin on up. If you go with a ready-made version, ask about delivery and installation services before you purchase — it can bring peace of mind to know your Murphy bed has been safely and properly installed. Cost: Ready-made Murphy beds can be purchased for $1,000 to $3,000, depending on quality of construction, design and size. Expect to pay more for a custom designed and built Murphy bed,
Do not fill up every shelf in a room; leave some of them half empty and spacious for an airy and more dramatic look.
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