Within the recent exciting coverage of Perseverance’s landing on Mars, you may have seen the side story on NASA’s deputy project manager for the rover, Jennifer Trosper. Like many of us across the globe, Trosper has been working remotely since the early days of the pandemic. And again, like many of us, she is carving space out of her home to dedicate to her work. While her children were remote learning in other rooms and the occasional load of clothes ran through the rinse cycle or tumbled in the dryer, Trosper set up her base for mission control from a small desk inside her home’s laundry room.
While our roles during this may not be quite as exciting as Trosper’s, our solutions for workspace can be just as creative. Those of us who are fortunate enough to have a study in our home, are dusting off the desk and shelving and bringing these areas up to date with technology. The rest of us are finding areas for quiet contemplation or chaotic Zoom calling, in guest rooms, dining rooms, unfinished basements, and more.
Here are some home office ideas—ranging from modest to grand—that might offer you a tip or two on how to make your remote work more productive and enjoyable.
With a current, slightly industrial take on a traditional partners’ style, this desk sits in the center of a Cincinnati area study made warm with woods, a contemporary light fixture, and an expansive wall mural. Source: J&K Custom Homes, jkcustomhomes.net
A dated study is transformed into a handsome his and-her office space with the help of built-ins which offer plenty of storage options. Contemporary wallpaper and a brushed brass light fixture add layers of elegance. Source: Dave Fox Design-Build Remodel, davefox.com
This workspace sits at one end of the kitchen in a rustic home in Miami County. The custom built upper cabinets are a stained hickory, and the lowers are painted Sherwin-Williams Dried Thyme to match the nearby island. Source: Peters Cabinetry, peterscabinetry.com
An elegant chandelier adds a bit of glow in this generously-sized space that serves as a home office for two. The distressed ceiling and cabinet finishes add to the Nantucket style of the room. And there’s a bonus space for the family’s dog. Source: California Closets, californiaclosets.com
Unclaimed space in the basement of a 1920s Columbus area residence is transformed into a home office with a contemporary color scheme. Open framing, painted white, helps combat the feeling of low ceilings. Source: J.S. Brown & Co., jsbrowncompany.com
Glass walls let the bold turquoise of the Cincinnati study flow through the rest of the home like a breath of fresh air. Source: Builder: Daniels, danielshomes.com
Plenty of bright built-ins in the form of shelving, cabinetry, a bench and a desk replaced dark, freestanding pieces in a back entry overhaul which now doubles as a mudroom and home office in the Cincinnati area. Source: Neal’s Design-Remodel, neals.com
An alcove between the kitchen and living areas is the perfect space to house a small, but highly functional, office space in this Columbus home. Two banks of drawers provide plenty of organizational options. Source: JAE Company, thejaecompany.com
Cloaked in black, in the form of walls, window grids and furnishings, this space offers a dramatic take on the home office. A substantial chandelier adds welcome layer of warmth. Source: G.A. White Homes, buildgawhite.com
This light-filled study is an attractive option for remote work. Painted wall-to-wall built ins are finished with an applied X detail. Source: C&W Custom Woodworking, candwcustomwoodworking.com