The World of Little Interiors
Ariel Okin On Maximizing A Small Space For Work and Play
Founder of her eponymous full service design firm in New York City, Ariel Okin shares her tips for how to make your small space work overtime for right now.
City living is tight! Any recommendations for how to carve out a small work space away from the kids?
It's so hard to find your own space in an apartment – especially when sound travels quickly and there aren't that many "rooms" you can make your own. One great way to find some solace away from the chaos is to create a nook inside of a space where there's a door you can shut. Whether that's the tiniest corner of your bedroom that you set up a slim desk and chair in, or even a deep walk in closet, get creative with thinking about areas that you can soundproof (white noise machines and noise canceling headphones help), and that you can shut a door or draw a curtain on to signify you are busy while you're in there. (Whether anyone in your household chooses to obey that signal is another story...) You can come up with a system to signify when you are working and can’t be interrupted, like using a fun sign on the door, or even putting shower curtains or drapery up around the desk to make a “cubicle” of sorts. If staying away from noise is the goal, try to arrange the workspaces away from areas people congregate (like kitchens); however if trying to keep an eye on older kids and screen time, setting up in those areas might make sense – it’s all about what works for you as a family.
What are important factors when considering a remote workspace? Light? Quiet? Comfy chair? Can you repurpose some furniture? Use an object you already have for a different purpose?
I think it's more important now than ever to place a desk near a window whenever possible; especially with these shelter in place rules, many of us are not getting outside, so fresh air and some sunlight are really integral to our well-being right now. An ergonomic chair is also key – I just ordered one for myself and my husband from Laura Davidson, who makes super comfortable reproductions of mid-century modern office chairs, since we are living with my in-laws for the foreseeable future and both of our backs were killing us! Wireless mouses and laptop stands are also helpful; anything that can help reduce the strain on your neck, forearms, etc. If you have a big stack of coffee table books, those can easily be repurposed to make a cheap and effective laptop stand!
What are the most important things to think about when creating a designated work-space for big kids? Things to consider when setting up the virtual classroom?
Schedules and a sense of routine are most important for big kids right now – they are used to being in school, feeling a sense of comfort in the daily from being guided by their teachers, and also seeing their friends. Also, they're used to learning in a particular physical space that's separate from home. Now that they're cooped up with nowhere to go, it's important to have structured school and free play time. Put up a big cork board in their designated work space above their desk, and write out a chart or schedule for how each day will go, labeling times and what activity will happen at that time. Some sense of predictability when everything is so unpredictable will go a long way in helping ease their day-to-day anxieties. You also want to minimize distractions as much as possible, so if you can remove toys from the "school" area, and also set up a desk filing situation where they can put any handwriting workbooks, assignments, etc. Let them choose fun desk accessories and take part deciding where everything will go at the end of the day to give them some ownership over their space, too. Everything having its place will provide them with a sense of order amidst the chaos.
And what about play spaces for kids?
This one sort of stays the same no matter what – baskets, baskets, baskets. Beautiful woven baskets that have lids are your greatest savior when it comes to organizing play spaces for kids; you can categorize them and label them so older kids can know where to put what, and for the little ones, they can practice "in" and "out" with the bins and baskets, taking their toys in and out and starting to grasp the concept of "clean up". I love Oeuf’s table and chairs that are perfectly sized for littles and encourages collaboration for art projects and homework alike. Bookshelves with baskets are the best anecdote to toys everywhere, and bins that close are also key. Whatever you do, it’s a good idea to involve your children and let them choose the colors, the baskets or some element to make it feel like their own!
Any furniture / accessories you are particularly loving for the new WFH setup with kids?
IKEA happens to have a very cheap, very functional desk called the Micke – it's been my favorite addition to the WFH set up for kids, because it's so petite and has a drawer. I can't tell you how many clients have bought it just this week alone!
Ariel Okin is the founder of her eponymous firm, Ariel Okin Interiors, a full service interior design firm in New York City. She recently launched a furniture collection with Society Social and is a contributing writer to Vogue.com, Architectural Digest and Domino Magazine, You can follow her on instagram @arielokin.
It's so hard to find your own space in an apartment – especially when sound travels quickly and there aren't that many "rooms" you can make your own. One great way to find some solace away from the chaos is to create a nook inside of a space where there's a door you can shut. Whether that's the tiniest corner of your bedroom that you set up a slim desk and chair in, or even a deep walk in closet, get creative with thinking about areas that you can soundproof (white noise machines and noise canceling headphones help), and that you can shut a door or draw a curtain on to signify you are busy while you're in there. (Whether anyone in your household chooses to obey that signal is another story...) You can come up with a system to signify when you are working and can’t be interrupted, like using a fun sign on the door, or even putting shower curtains or drapery up around the desk to make a “cubicle” of sorts. If staying away from noise is the goal, try to arrange the workspaces away from areas people congregate (like kitchens); however if trying to keep an eye on older kids and screen time, setting up in those areas might make sense – it’s all about what works for you as a family.
What are important factors when considering a remote workspace? Light? Quiet? Comfy chair? Can you repurpose some furniture? Use an object you already have for a different purpose?
I think it's more important now than ever to place a desk near a window whenever possible; especially with these shelter in place rules, many of us are not getting outside, so fresh air and some sunlight are really integral to our well-being right now. An ergonomic chair is also key – I just ordered one for myself and my husband from Laura Davidson, who makes super comfortable reproductions of mid-century modern office chairs, since we are living with my in-laws for the foreseeable future and both of our backs were killing us! Wireless mouses and laptop stands are also helpful; anything that can help reduce the strain on your neck, forearms, etc. If you have a big stack of coffee table books, those can easily be repurposed to make a cheap and effective laptop stand!
What are the most important things to think about when creating a designated work-space for big kids? Things to consider when setting up the virtual classroom?
Schedules and a sense of routine are most important for big kids right now – they are used to being in school, feeling a sense of comfort in the daily from being guided by their teachers, and also seeing their friends. Also, they're used to learning in a particular physical space that's separate from home. Now that they're cooped up with nowhere to go, it's important to have structured school and free play time. Put up a big cork board in their designated work space above their desk, and write out a chart or schedule for how each day will go, labeling times and what activity will happen at that time. Some sense of predictability when everything is so unpredictable will go a long way in helping ease their day-to-day anxieties. You also want to minimize distractions as much as possible, so if you can remove toys from the "school" area, and also set up a desk filing situation where they can put any handwriting workbooks, assignments, etc. Let them choose fun desk accessories and take part deciding where everything will go at the end of the day to give them some ownership over their space, too. Everything having its place will provide them with a sense of order amidst the chaos.
And what about play spaces for kids?
This one sort of stays the same no matter what – baskets, baskets, baskets. Beautiful woven baskets that have lids are your greatest savior when it comes to organizing play spaces for kids; you can categorize them and label them so older kids can know where to put what, and for the little ones, they can practice "in" and "out" with the bins and baskets, taking their toys in and out and starting to grasp the concept of "clean up". I love Oeuf’s table and chairs that are perfectly sized for littles and encourages collaboration for art projects and homework alike. Bookshelves with baskets are the best anecdote to toys everywhere, and bins that close are also key. Whatever you do, it’s a good idea to involve your children and let them choose the colors, the baskets or some element to make it feel like their own!
Any furniture / accessories you are particularly loving for the new WFH setup with kids?
IKEA happens to have a very cheap, very functional desk called the Micke – it's been my favorite addition to the WFH set up for kids, because it's so petite and has a drawer. I can't tell you how many clients have bought it just this week alone!
Ariel Okin is the founder of her eponymous firm, Ariel Okin Interiors, a full service interior design firm in New York City. She recently launched a furniture collection with Society Social and is a contributing writer to Vogue.com, Architectural Digest and Domino Magazine, You can follow her on instagram @arielokin.