Comments on: Workspace of the Week: Home Office 2.0

By: Sam

Sam — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:03:09 +0000

Thanks everyone!

Wow, opinion is sharply divided.

It’s been a pretty good workspace for me, but I can see that it wouldn’t suit everyone. My work involves very little paper, and I don’t tend to read books at my desk – that’s more of a lounge-based activity for me. I recognise that my tastes are more Spartan than most.

Having said that, I’ve recently moved my office next door (literally – same apartment, different room) and made quite a few improvements, some of them based on your suggestions… I’ll post a set soon. Here’s a first pic:

http://flickr.com/photos/46945.....nclutterer

Sam

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 20:02:18 +0000

One more thing I just noticed missing – a phone. Unless sirw82 only uses his cell. But most of us still rely on land lines in the home and an office space without a phone isn’t really a workspace. Add a phone and lamp to the desktop and things start getting cramped fast. So while i admire the simplicity a few things are missing that most of us would need.

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 19:50:16 +0000

I like the simplicity but have a couple of questions regarding practicality. For instance, unless sirw82 only works at the desk during daylight, where’s the lamp? I don’t think the lava lamp will be sufficient by itself. Also, doesn’t sirw82′s need a waste basket? Don’t mean to be overly critical. My point is that good practical workspace design in homes isn’t easy.

By: Mellon

Mellon — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 05:08:51 +0000

It’s very nice, but seem like there might be an echo in the room – so empty and atticy. Looks a little more staged than lived in. No offense intended.

By: ClickerTrainer

ClickerTrainer — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:59:07 +0000

To me, that’s not so much uncluttered as it is empty. Apparently not much of a reader, either. No books.

By: Rudy

Rudy — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:27:35 +0000

It’s always nice to have a blank canvas. I believe Patty is spot on when she said this is unrealistic. When I started with my home office, it was empty also. Bookshelves have a few books, desk has no paper, there was only 1 computer. Over the past 2 years, I’ve added two more computers (and peripherals), paperwork piled up, and I got heck of a lot more books. Plus my 2 year old will occasionally drop stuff on my desk from other rooms. I have to unclutter every other week to make it look spacious again.

By: marissa

marissa — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 10:10:05 +0000

I don’t think it looks cluttered at all, but it’s not very pretty. The space is too plain. What about some shelving to get those file holders off the ground? A rug? Window coverings? Maybe some vintage art to go with the lava lamp? It’s an apartment so painting may not be an option…

By: Kris

Kris — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 04:30:31 +0000

I’d love to see the workspaces of everyone who thinks this is barren and boring and spares. Seriously.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 16:11:46 +0000

When did uncluttered become sterile and boring? No way, that room needs some character!

By: jeff zbar

jeff zbar — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 10:48:30 +0000

A very clean and picture-perfect (literally) workspace. But I must agree with Patty that this Spartan design and set up would be sufficient for only a few folks. While the PC working area at my custom-built desk is much the same as that displayed here, and is just about as neat, to my right is a writing area strewn with papers and supplies and accoutrements that make this a “working” office. Shelves abound to keep stuff off my workspace, and I mounted my router and phone to the wall – just to tap “vertical” space.

I will admit, though, that the view is a must-have element. Both for ergonomics (reducing eye strain) as well as letting the mind wander, being able to look outside helps keep me focused – and open.

Truth be told, this space has “brand new” (and “no kids” for that matter) written all over it. Let’s check back in a few months

By: dominique

dominique — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 06:11:28 +0000

I agree with Kerry and Mer, not inviting at all. Barren is not inviting.

By: Kris

Kris — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 21:50:34 +0000

And yes, I too like the guitars. You really have to look at all the pictures of that space to judge it properly, I think. It’s a wonderful space.

By: Kris

Kris — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 21:49:29 +0000

If you look carefully, you can tell that the floor is laminate, not real hardwoods. I know .. we installed laminate flooring (Pergo) in our entire second floor in our old house. That chair won’t make even one scratch on that flooring.

By: Adam

Adam — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:01:17 +0000

Very nice setup this is. So clean and no visible cords, I wish I could accomplish that. I also wish I had your floors.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:27:22 +0000

Extreme envy here. Very clean. I especially like the guitars that are on the other side of the office.

Nice.