Creating a Home Office Space When Working From Home

Creating a Functional Workspace

The ability to work from home is becoming a must in today's world. Normally, having the luxury and flexibility to work from home is a plus.

With a bedroom transforming into a home workspace and quiet area, the antique iron bed had to go. More storage and floor space was needed for seating and a small writing desk.

Taking the first step, looking online for options for a Murphy bed with storage and inspiration. A Murphy or wall bed was the perfect solution to creating more space. With the iron bed gone, it would also free up additional floor space to have another table and settee for comfy reading.

The Interior Design Solution

The perfect solution was finding Keith Belair of Salem, New Hampshire. I ventured into his showroom one Saturday afternoon while passing the storefront. Speaking with Keith, I gathered more information about options for storage with a bed. I left with a brochure to figure out what size Murphy bed would fit in the space.

A requirment of open bookcases on the sides with closed storage was a must. A Queen size Murphy bed with two towers of open shelves and closed lower storage on each side was selected. Keith came to measure the space and the wall the Murphy bed was to be located on.

Murphy Bed Installation

Checking off all the boxes, a white queen-size Murphy bed that was easy to pull down for guests was a win. Another benefit was being able to select the firmness of the mattress that would be hidden when not in use. Additionally, another feature is when the Murphy bed is open, a picture or TV can be hung on the wall above the bed and would stay in place when the bed is closed.

This little feature creates a cozy bed area. The perfect solution was found to create a home work space, sitting area and bedroom. The custom white, raised panel Queen size Metropolitan style panel bed was selected, with 15-inch deep cabinets and two wall units with lower closed storage, instead of purchasing a kit online. Customer service and the ability to speak to a live person and be educated about options rather than just choosing something online was important. Keith handled all the installation as well.

Designing a Home Office with Style and Charm

Working with Keith was a pleasure. He is very knowledgeable and professional and educated on the process up to the day of installation. It literally took Keith four hours to install this Murphy bed system.

Additional pieces that were added to the space included a settee for reading, an antique Bombay-style dresser on a smaller scale for additional storage, a found tall narrow corner cabinet with open shelfing on top and closed storage on the bottom, and a small writing desk.

More than ever, home workspaces are becoming the norm. When a smaller home only has two bedrooms, it tends to be more dificult to find a quiet work space. Consider a bedroom makeover. Once the adult children leave the nest or go off to college, the second bedroom can function as two spaces. Being creative and adding a Murphy bed for added sleeping is the perfect solution.

About Debbe Daley

Debbe Daley is an award-winning published interior designer with  30 plus years’ experience in the design industry in Boston, Portsmouth, NH, and the New England Area. She is CEO and owner of Debbe Daley Designs serving the Boston, Lowell, MA and Portsmouth NH seacoast with offices in Portsmouth, NH and Lowell, MA.

Debbe has practiced in the furniture, flooring and wallpaper industries, space planning, and home renovations all while owning her own custom drapery workroom. She is also an educator of Interior Design providing new students and change of career minded individuals with education to begin a career in interior design. Debbe is also the published author of her first book, Interior Motives Designing A Career With Passion.

Debbe is a member of the Interior Design Society and holds a seat on the IDS National Board of Directors. She is also a member of American Society of Interior Designers, and an educator of Interior Design at Middlesex Community College.

Contact Debbe at ddaley@daleydesigns.com or (978) 697-0288.