Question: I have a narrow Victorian room with three bay windows. My furniture methodology is based on feng shui. With that in mind, I got rid of a large desk. What can I use instead? I thought about a drafting table with possibly some plastic drawer chests for my desk stuff. Since 1995, I've also used this makeshift area as a closet for clothes. What can I do with it?

Henry, via e-mail

Answer: From what you describe, this room is both your work area as well as your storage space for clothing. Since you mention feng shui as a guiding principle to your design plans, the basics of that discipline should be your outline to accomplish the intended results: efficiency, interesting design and good spiritual energy.

When small spaces have to serve many functions, it's important to prioritize the needs and allocate space accordingly. In this case, let's assume that the room is first a work space that requires a desklike work surface and, second, an area in which to store clothing.

SELECTING AND PLACING A DESK

A basic principle of feng shui for work spaces is that you should be in a position to greet opportunity as it comes in the door. Place your desk so you face the door when seated. The desk can be placed in front of the window with the chair situated in its bay facing the door of the room. Choose a swivel chair to give you the opportunity to turn around to enjoy the view when contemplating your work.

Consider function and storage when selecting a desk.

Because the room is small, choose a desk with a glass top to keep the room visually open. The size of the glass surface should be in scale with the room; a smaller room requires a smaller desk. Since most glass tabletops are custom made, it can be any size you need, even if it's an unusual size. Twenty inches by 36 inches would be considered a small desk surface, but, nonetheless, it is functional if the space around it is well planned.

The type of legs that support the glass top is a design choice: Glass placed on workhorses, whether iron, stainless steel or painted wood, creates a very masculine look. Stone bases are another option. Or you can have something custom made of your own design.

One drawback is the lack of drawers for storage. A computer takes up considerable space on the desk, so you'll need storage nearby. There are many choices when it comes to movable and/or stacking shelf and drawer units for desks. They can be of wood, laminate, metal or plastic. They might have shelves or be a combination of shelves and drawers. They could be stacks of cubbies with interesting storage boxes inside. They might have wheels for portability, or small legs, or just sit flat on the floor. Think about what you need to store. If it's pens and lots of paper, then a unit with one drawer and several shelves is right for you. If it must hold office supplies, then one with all drawers might suit you best.

KEEPING CLOTHES OUT OF VIEW

Clothing storage is next on the agenda. Ideally, because this is primarily a work space, the clothing should be out of view. Freestanding cabinets fit the bill. They have hanging space and doors that close. Complementary stacking drawer units and shoe cubbies mix and match to finish the job. Line these up on one wall perpendicular to the desk and voila! -- a home office that's also a closet.

Alternatively, if you want to be more creative, you can find gym lockers that line up to be the closet. They come in large and small sizes and can be painted different colors. Line up several to give the room an interesting style. If you coordinate them with the desk and its storage unit, you can create an imaginative room with a theme.

Whichever way you approach these solutions, even the most ardent feng shui master would have to agree that clearing the clutter so energy can move freely about the room will make a world of difference in how you feel in the space. And that difference will likely be reflected in the results of your work as well.

 

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