Working From Home Is Permanent
The dining table office era is over. If you're working from home even two days a week, you need a space that's designed for it — not carved out of a corner as an afterthought.
On the Gold Coast, we're seeing more renovation briefs include a dedicated home office than ever before. And the difference between a good one and a bad one is dramatic.
Where to Put It
Spare Bedroom Conversion
The most common approach. A 3m x 3m bedroom gives you enough room for a proper desk, shelving, and a small meeting area. The key decisions:
- Keep the door. Closing a door is the simplest way to separate work from home.
- Consider the window position. Your screen should be perpendicular to the window, not facing it (glare) or backing onto it (you're silhouetted on video calls).
- Retain the wardrobe. Convert it to storage — shelves, a printer niche, or a filing system behind closed doors.
Garage Conversion
A single garage (18-20m²) makes an excellent office. Separate from the house, generous space, and no impact on your bedroom count.
What it needs:
- Insulation (walls and ceiling — garages are ovens in Gold Coast summers)
- Proper flooring (epoxy, vinyl plank, or carpet over the slab)
- Air conditioning (non-negotiable)
- Adequate electrical — at least four double GPOs and dedicated data cabling
Typical cost: $15,000-$35,000 depending on finishes.
Garden Studio
A standalone office pod in the backyard. Increasingly popular on the Gold Coast, with prefab and custom options available.
- Prefab pods (10-15m²): $25,000-$50,000 installed
- Custom-built studios (15-25m²): $40,000-$80,000
Check Gold Coast City Council requirements — structures under 10m² are often exempt from approval, but larger ones need a building application.
Design Essentials
Lighting
Bad lighting causes eye strain, headaches, and terrible video call quality. Get this right:
- Natural light is priority one. A north-facing window is ideal on the Gold Coast — consistent light without harsh afternoon sun.
- Task lighting — a desk lamp with adjustable colour temperature (3000-5000K range) for focused work.
- Ambient lighting — overhead LEDs on a dimmer. Avoid bare downlights directly above your screen.
- Video call lighting — a window or light source facing you, not behind you. A simple ring light solves this if your room layout doesn't cooperate.
Acoustics
If you're on calls regularly, sound management matters:
- Solid-core door — replaces the typical hollow-core bedroom door. Significant noise reduction for $300-$600.
- Acoustic insulation in walls — if you're renovating anyway, adding Knauf Earthwool or similar to the wall cavity is cheap and effective.
- Soft surfaces — a rug, upholstered chair, and curtains absorb echo that hard floors and bare walls create.
- Seal gaps — sound travels through gaps under doors and around frames. Draft-stop strips and acoustic seals make a noticeable difference.
Climate Control
Gold Coast humidity is a real factor in a small enclosed room, especially a converted garage or garden studio.
- Split system air conditioner — a 2.5kW unit handles most home offices. Budget $1,500-$2,500 installed.
- Ceiling fan — reduces reliance on AC and improves comfort. Essential if you have high ceilings.
- Ventilation — a room that can't be opened to fresh air feels stale. Include an operable window or louvre.
Electrical and Data
A proper home office needs more than a single power point and Wi-Fi:
- Minimum four double GPOs — desk position, monitor position, printer area, and a spare
- Hardwired ethernet — run Cat6 cable during renovation. Wi-Fi drops are unacceptable when you're presenting to clients.
- USB-C charging points — integrated into the desk or wall plate
- Dedicated circuit — prevents your office equipment tripping the bedroom circuit
Built-In Desk vs. Freestanding
Built-in desk advantages:
- Maximises every centimetre of space
- Integrated cable management
- Cleaner look, custom to your workflow
- Can incorporate standing desk mechanisms
Freestanding desk advantages:
- Flexibility to rearrange
- Take it with you if you move
- Cheaper to replace or upgrade
Our recommendation: if the room is staying an office long-term, built-in wins. If it might revert to a bedroom, keep it freestanding.
Tax Deductions
If you work from home, portions of your office renovation may be tax-deductible as a depreciating asset. Speak to your accountant about:
- Capital works deductions for structural changes
- Depreciating asset claims for furniture and equipment
- Running cost deductions for utilities in the office space
Keep renovation invoices itemised — your accountant will need the breakdown.
Book a free consultation to discuss your home office renovation. We'll help you design a workspace that's comfortable, functional, and adds value to your home.
