How to Carve Out Spaces to Work and Rest in a Busy Home

Contenido patrocinado

Juggling work and family life at home can often make it hard to focus and even harder to relax at the end of the day. So it’s essential to get a grip on the chaos for your households’ productivity levels and emotional well-being, and by carving out clearly defined zones for office, homework, rest and play, you’ll make daily life more manageable.

Here we look at some clever, yet super-simple, ways of zoning your home by using paint. These decorating ideas are quick to achieve, inexpensive to recreate and will give your home a brand new look.

Dulux

1. Create the illusion of a work zone with colour blocking

Whether it’s an alcove in the living area, or the space next to your bed, create an inspirational and clearly defined work zone with paint. Simply highlight the wall area directly behind the desk with a stand out shade or pattern. And if you want to bring in more interest, try experimenting with an asymmetrical pattern.

Choose calm, uplifting shades to boost productivity and keep the concentration levels up. “Colours that connect us with the great outdoors like blues and greens are perfect for clearing the head and helping us focus,” says Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Dulux. “Grey, the ultimate neutral is also the least distracting colour and so the combination of them both is the perfect match for a home work zone”

Decorating tip: Use a good decorators tape to create the outline of the shape, and then divide the area into sections that can be painted various calming tones.

Walls painted in White Mist; geometric design painted in Goose Down (top left), Warm Pewter (middle), Urban Obsession (bottom), Mint Macaroon (top right and ceiling), all Dulux.

Dulux

2. Go halves to separate and connect

Make the most of a corner in a multi-purpose living space by moving the office space to one end. Paint the lower half of the wall in this area a different colour to define it. By keeping the top half of the wall the same colour as the rest of the room, you’ll create a visual connection between the work and rest areas, while still retaining a separate feel.

In a neutral room, opt for a rich, earthy paint colour by the desk area to ramp up the warmth and cosiness, and try adding extra layers of comfort, like a rug, to ensure the work space feels inviting, no matter how late you work.

“When your work life balance is slightly off balance, you need a more nurturing environment to get the grey matter going,” says Marianne. “Surround yourself with soothing familiar colours that cocoon a space rather than zingy ones that can increase anxiety levels.”

Decorating tip: Take time to hunt out an ergonomic desk chair that not only feels good, but looks good too.

Lower wall painted in Blanket Box; upper wall in Brave Ground; ceiling beams in Acorn Cap, all Dulux.

Dulux

3. Soften lines to encourage rest

Curves instantly lend a softness to a space and could be just what you need to help you relax and disconnect from a hectic day. Try painting an arch or a curved shape around a seating area to differentiate it from the work and play areas. Use soothing tones to encourage a sense of down time.

Continue the trend for circular or curved shapes through to the lighting, rugs, vases and furniture and you’ll evoke a warm, safe and friendly space.

“When I was a chubby 14-year-old, my mum told me all the best things in life have curves. She was right, even in decorating they have a place,” says Marianne. “Rounded shapes are the decorative equivalent of a friendly arm around your shoulder or a warm embrace from someone you love. It’s also the shape of the sun and the moon, two of the biggest influencers on the way we feel and the rhythm of life. Bring them into a place you look at frequently and see what a lovely difference they make to the way you feel”.

Decorating tip: Think painting a curve or arch is hard to achieve? Think again. Follow these easy steps to creating soft, gentle lines.

Background painted in Folk Tales; rounded shape in Brave Ground; square in Spiced Honey; small oblong in Shifting Sands, all Dulux.

Dulux

4. Have fun in the kids zone

Are you having to juggle work and video calls while the kids play noisily around you? Or maybe they don’t have any room to play as each surface has been taken up with screens, work files and homework books? If this sounds familiar, maybe it’s time to carve out a unique play space just for them, where they can escape to and stay out of your way. It’s a win win!

What about the space under the stairs? By simply clearing it out, giving it a cheerful upgrade with some happy paint colours, and adding fairy lights and cushions, you’ll have a comfy, cosy den that they won’t want to leave.

Decorating tip: Add a couple of book shelves and turn it into a mini library, or turn out the lights and create a secret cinema.

Bannisters and woodwork painted in White Cotton; geometric design painted in Banana Split; Dusted Fondant and Pebble Shore, all Dulux.

Looking for more colour tips and tricks? Visit the Dulux Colour Inspiration Centre.

Visit the Dulux website to find information about paint shades and finishes.

Tell us…
How you’ve zoned your multi-functional spaces? Share your ideas in the Comments.

This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.