HALLS OF POWER
Depending on the pitch of your staircase, the space beneath it can provide an office area at the heart of your home. The hallway can be a thoroughfare in busy households – good quality noise-cancelling headphones will help. Light can also prove problematic in windowless hallways – aim for at least one downlight above your desk, as well as an adjustable lamp for close-up work. ‘Go for fitted office furniture that will make the most of the available space. Light colour palettes will work especially well in a country setting,’ says Joanna Cross, designer at Hammonds.