‘Aesthetics have an advantage over comfort with us’
Nelson (22) has started his master’s degree in business communication and lives with his friend Bob (26), who is a business consultant for KBC.
Working and studying in your bedroom may not seem like the smartest plan. Even if only to not be tempted to take an afternoon nap. But for Nelson and Bob, the bedroom is the place where they can do their thing in peace and quiet.
“A few months ago, in full lockdown, we moved from a studio to a house. Although we still do not have the space to sacrifice an entire room as a workplace, our desk is certainly no longer crammed under a loft bed. (laughsMoreover, the bedroom is quite large enough to set up a separate work area. That alone was a huge relief and improvement for us. “
Only if one has an online lesson or a video call while the other is still sleeping, does the living room have to serve as a home office in the early hours. “We both notice that we are more productive and focused when we can isolate ourselves. In the living room you are more confronted with the household. It does require some discipline not to quickly do the dishes or do some laundry in between work. In the bedroom we always make sure that the bed is made. The only distraction that cannot escape is our cat Saga. ”
“Even so, we don’t feel like we’re in the bedroom while working. By some plants around and with a gallery wall above the desk we really created a special place. The photos and prints in the frames can also be played continuously, so that you can easily and quickly change the entire atmosphere of your desk space with an affordable and small intervention. What we might have invested better in is a good office chair. Unfortunately, the ergonomic office pieces are usually black, bulky and, well, not that beautiful. Aesthetics will always have an advantage over comfort for us. ” (laughs)
‘His side is always neatly tidy, with me it is chaos’
Julien (29) is creative director at a brand agency and Gwen (26) is an interior designer. Together they run C52, an online shop with second-hand furniture.
Two nostalgic souls living together, that leads to a house full of second-hand furniture. The showpiece of that collection is an old, massive law firm that can be used on both sides. “We fell in love with it instantly and yet I doubted for a long time whether we should get it,” says Julien. “It is quite a large volume, 1m70 by 1m70. The question was therefore: do we get that in? And also, now we may have the space for it, but can we take it along if we ever move? Fortunately, Gwen is the go-between in our relationship. She knew immediately: we will buy it. ”
That was more than a year ago, before there was even talk of the nasty virus. Gwen: “Not everyone sees a desk as an essential piece of furniture. But when working from home became mandatory, we were very happy that we had made that investment anyway. For some couples it may not be ideal to sit opposite each other all the time, but for us such a work island gives a nice dynamic. One drawback: Julien’s side is always neatly tidy, it is always chaos for me. ”
As beautiful as the piece is, they didn’t want to make it the focal point of their interior. That is why the furniture is in a corner of the apartment. In contrast, the writing table does play a central role in their lives. The first seed for @ C52_antwerp was planted here in September last year, an Instagram account with which they sell second-hand furniture that they find and renovate themselves.
Julien: “C52 was not created by a surplus of second-hand items in the house, but because we could not stop buying. (laughsWe both like variety, but the agency will always remain a fixed value. ”
Gwen: “It is a piece of furniture that even our grandchildren will still enjoy.”
‘A separate, enclosed office space is not really of this time anymore ‘
Kristof (40) is managing director of the All Sport Group.
A desk is more than a table and a chair, says Kristof. You spend at least eight hours a day on it, then it better be a place that inspires, where you sit quietly and especially where you have enough daylight. Even when it is at home. That is why he engaged the furniture designers of Atelier Piraat to manufacture a custom-made copy for the living room. “I considered it for a while, but a separate, closed office space is no longer really of this time. Who still has the space for that at home these days? In addition, with the exception of the period when the children were not allowed to go to school, there is rarely anyone home when I am working. So if it is also quiet down here, why would we give up a room for it? ”
“Many people want to hide their desks, make them as invisible as possible. For me it could become a fully-fledged part of the interior. My desk has certainly started to attract attention a bit. ”
His workplace became a multifunctional wall unit with a worktop, bench and storage space, warm and luxurious looking through the use of materials such as dark wood, brass and velvet. “Although the children here regularly do their homework or read a book on the couch, this feels like my place. Here I can leave all my stuff and that brings a certain focus and peace of mind. ”
But that peace and focus is not self-evident. He knows only too well that not everyone has the space or budget to install a full-fledged home office. “We cannot expect from our employees that everyone has a place to work productively and comfortably. There are those who are forced to sit at the kitchen table or the kitchen island, because that is where the best light is, for example. But because people also eat and live in that place, there is always a need to tidy up. Getting that exercise every day can be mentally taxing. If working from home becomes the norm, we as employers will have to take this into account. ”
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