A Creative Couple's Working-From-Home Hacks
HGTV Dream Home designer Brian Patrick Flynn shares tips for how he and his husband Hollis make their own home work when working from home — from office advice to finding workout space to DIY projects that will clear your head.
Shaded Spot Outside
Change Up Your Chairs
A Breath of Fresh Air
Keep It Contained
Homeowners adapting to working out from home may easily find that just a few key gym supplies quickly clutter up a space. Keep your gym equipment neatly contained in a vessel that's easy to move around from room to room.
Covered Area
Tree Canopy
Since not all homeowners have covered outdoor spaces, sometimes any exterior space with tree canopy is an excellent spot to work in some exercise. This exposed deck gets harsh light most of the day, but between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. it gets a break in sunlight thanks to nearby tree canopy.
Studio With a View
The best view on Brian's property is from his main deck. Since this is the spot that makes him happiest, he chose it as the location for his makeshift art studio. Trees along the side double as a privacy barrier between the deck and the house next door.
Collapsible Easel
When space is at a premium and you're in need of a place to get creative and artistic, collapsible items can work wonders. Brian gave his sunny deck a brand-new purpose as a place to experiment with paint thanks to an easel that collapses down to 14 inches and fits inside a bag for easy storage.
Transform With a Tarp
The biggest factor in safely transforming the dining table to an art studio is this tarp. It's thick enough to keep dripped paint from seeping onto the table and also sturdy enough to easily fold up and store away when not in use.
Room to Spread Out
Pack and Play
Brian created an efficient system for transforming his dining deck to an outdoor art studio with stackable storage boxes, a handled basket for supplies, an easel that collapses for easy storage, a foldable tarp to protect the table top and an antique stool that can tuck into a closet for easy keeping. All it takes is about three minutes to transform it from a dining space to an art studio or from an art studio back to a dining space.
Makeshift Gallery
Looking for something to cheer you up after so many days stuck inside doing the same old thing? As you create one-of-a-kind works of art, try regrouping them in different ways to change up their looks. Before Brian decides which room to hang each of his abstract works in, he lines them up along his deck railing to see which pieces pair best together.
Spread It Out
When Hollis, a costume designer, has large scale sewing projects, he needs plenty of space to spread his supplies out. He turned the entire bunk room of his and Brian's vacation home into a full-fledged work room for sewing.
Use What You've Got
With many people working from home indefinitely and a level of uncertainty, it can be a daunting task to consider buying new home office furniture. Why not just work with what you've got?
Creative Corner
Make a Mess
If your work entails lots of supplies and tools which are certain to create a mess day after day, it's best to try and contain it all in a corner or a seldom used space which won't make the rest of the house feel disheveled. All of Hollis's sewing needs are kept on the folding table and off of the permanent furniture in the bunk room.
Hanging Space
Lightweight Printer
Pressure Wash Outdoor Furniture
Add Bistro Lights
Deep Cleaning
Take It Outside
Break up your daily routine by doing some of your indoor activities outside. Instead of settling in after dinner, Brian and Hollis watch TV outside as the sun sets in their cozy pajamas and sweats.
Update House Numbers
Like a Kid Again
