creating a study nook within your custom-designed wardrobe
These days we all need a place to charge our phones, plug in our laptops and generally ‘log on’. And with technology giving us the ability to work online, we’re more likely to work or study at home.
This is where home offices, study nooks and admin stations come in – all necessary and useful spaces but because computers today are smaller, we’re more likely to be ‘paperless’ and have fewer books, these spaces generally don’t require a dedicated room. In fact, just dedicating a small space, corner or part of your wardrobe can give you a highly-functional work or study area.
If you’re thinking about a custom-designed and built wardrobe, it might be a good idea to consider incorporating a study nook into the design. With kids at school or university, work brought home, study and home administration all jostling for room, it can be difficult to find a quiet workable space. Often the dining table becomes a work desk which can be noisy and distracting, not to mention a hassle when you want to sit down to eat.
At 7am we often find ourselves measuring up and including a dedicated work or study nook into our wardrobe designs. Integrating a desk and some shelving into built-in wardrobes is a great and cost-effective way to create a functional work or study space.
A benchtop with one or two floating shelves above for storage or display space is a basic configuration for any study nook. When planning a study nook we always recommend ensuring you include adequate task lighting and that power points are positioned up high and underneath the benchtop to keep unsightly power cables tidy and out of sight. A cable hole cut out and fitted with a cover can be incorporated into the benchtop so that cords can be fed through.
Floating shelving is a great way to maximise limited space above the desk. Alternatively, a plain wall can be made into a pinboard using materials like cork or even MDF covered with linen.
If possible and if space and layout permits, it’s great to locate your study nook somewhere with plenty of natural light. Research tells us that natural light improves work performance and also has a positive effect on sleep patterns and general well-being.
Other ideas for fitting out your study nook include incorporating a colourful chair or stool to pick up accent décor colours within the room. If you’ve decided to incorporate cupboards or doors to conceal your space, a stool is a great option as it can be tucked away under the desk with the doors closed. It’s also a good idea to be able to close the doors on phones and other devices as these items are best out of sight where they won’t disturb sleep patterns. Space permitting, standard office-style drawers on castors can be added under the desk for extra storage. Add a small lamp and some colourful desk accessories to add style and interest.