3 Ways to Improve Your Work From Home Space (Especially in Victorian & Edwardian Homes)
- Hannah Ashe
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Are you still working from a desk that was hurriedly set up during lockdown… and never properly thought about again?
You’re not alone.
Many London homeowners carved out a temporary work-from-home setup in 2020. The dining table became a desk. A spare bedroom became “the office.” A dark corner became “good enough.”
But now working from home is permanent (or at least hybrid). And if you’re a busy working parent, your home office needs to work hard without taking up precious space.
Here are three simple but powerful ways to improve your home work space so it feels better, functions better, and supports your wellbeing.
Feeling stuck with your current setup? I’m hosting a free live online Interior Design Clinic where you can ask questions about your home office (or any other room).
Tip 1: Position Your Desk Near Natural Light
If your desk isn’t near a window, this is the first thing I’d look at.
Natural light has a profound impact on mood, focus and energy levels. In many Victorian and Edwardian homes in SW London, we’re lucky to have generous bay windows, tall sash windows, or even rooflights in extended kitchen spaces. But often desks end up facing walls instead of windows.
Ask yourself:
Can you move your desk closer to a window?
Could it sit under a skylight?
Could you angle it differently so you at least have a side view of the outdoors?
Even a visual connection to greenery or sky can reduce stress and improve concentration.
For busy parents juggling work, school admin, and household logistics, that small shift in positioning can make a noticeable difference to your day.
If space is tight (as it often is in period homes), consider:
A slimline wall-mounted desk under a window
A floating shelf-style desk in a bay window
A built-in joinery solution that makes use of alcove
If you’re unsure how to reconfigure your layout, you can read more about my Design Packages or explore recent projects in Victorian and Edwardian homes.
Tip 2: Add a Houseplant (yes, even a tiny one)
Home offices are ideal places for plants.
Why? Because we use them daily which means we’re more likely to notice if a plant needs water, light, or attention.
Adding greenery does three important things:
Softens hard architectural lines
Improves the feeling of airiness and life in the room
Gives you something to nurture (which is surprisingly grounding during stressful workdays)
You don’t need a jungle!
A small cactus, trailing pothos, or upright snake plant on your desk can be enough. In Victorian and Edwardian homes, which often have higher ceilings and beautiful proportions, plants help bridge the vertical space and prevent a desk setup from feeling temporary or stark.
If you’re short on surface space:
Try a hanging planter near the window
Add a narrow shelf above the desk
Use a tall floor plant in an unused corner
It’s a small styling choice that makes your workspace feel intentional rather than improvised.
Want More Practical Design Advice for Period Homes?
I share thoughtful, practical interior design tips for busy London homeowners in my regular newsletter - from layout ideas to lighting guidance and renovation insights.
Tip 3: Rethink Your Lighting (especially in winter)
Let’s talk about the dreaded single ceiling bulb.
If you’re taking video calls with harsh overhead lighting casting shadows on your face, it’s time for an upgrade.
Good home office lighting should include layers:
Ambient lighting (soft overall glow)
Task lighting (focused light for work)
Accent lighting (to add warmth and depth)
An adjustable Anglepoise-style desk lamp is perfect for focused work and can double as flattering backlighting during video calls. But it shouldn’t be the only light source.
Ideally, aim for:
2-3 lamps in the room
Warm bulbs (around 2700K–3000K)
Lighting at different heights
This is particularly important in London homes during dark winter afternoons. Layered lighting transforms a space from “makeshift office” to calm, considered workspace.
And when you feel better in your space, you work better in it.
Lighting plans are something I often develop as part of my Full Interior Design Service, ensuring your space works beautifully both day and night.
Making a Small Home Office Work in a Period Property
Edwardian and Victorian houses weren’t designed with Zoom calls in mind.
Rooms can be narrow. Alcoves can be awkward. Storage is often limited. And when you’re a working parent, your office may also need to function as:
A guest bedroom
A homework station
A storage room
Or all three
That’s where thoughtful design makes the difference.
With the right layout, joinery, lighting plan and materials, even a compact spare room can become a calm, functional home office that supports your work without sacrificing the character of your period home.
If you’d like tailored advice before committing to a full project, my upcoming free online Interior Design Clinic is a relaxed space to ask questions about layout, lighting or storage challenges. Register here
Ready to Improve Your Work From Home Setup?
If your current home office still feels like a temporary solution from 2020, it may be time to rethink it.
I regularly help homeowners across SW London and Surrey transform their work-from-home spaces - particularly within Victorian and Edwardian houses - into practical, beautiful rooms that work for real family life.
If you’re time-poor but ready to invest in getting it right, I can help you:
Reconfigure your layout
Design bespoke storage
Improve lighting
Create a space that feels calm and intentional
Get in touch to discuss how we could improve your WFH setup.
If you’re a SW London or Surrey homeowner living in a Victorian or Edwardian house and want a considered, professionally designed workspace, I’d love to help.
Hannah Ashe is an interior design expert and founder of Hannah Ashe Interior Design, bringing colour, confidence and calm to homes across London and Surrey. After years of renovating homes and a career in music - where she developed a keen appreciation for rhythm, texture and harmony - she brings a fresh, creative perspective to interior design. Whether offering practical renovation planning or bespoke design support, Hannah helps clients feel confident and inspired at every stage of their project.
