This multi-use loft offers a space for everyone to do their work. It might be counterintuitive, but for parents of young children, we know that leaving them unattended in another room is a recipe for disaster. (If not a disaster, it’s at least a big distraction to the parent who has to keep getting up to check on why things in the other room are too loud or too quiet.)

Despite the excitement of this space being focused on the cozy, kid-height seating and play area with a fun, colorful rug and ample storage for books and toys, the real gem of this loft is the workspace for our work-from-home parent.

Thoughtfully planned, we set up our remote-working parent at a desk in the command position (a feng shui principle that ensures good visibility over the entrances/exits and a location set away from the high-energy pathways in the room). This strategic positioning puts our working parent’s mind at ease knowing that whatever is happening around them, it is easy to keep an eye on it.

Being next to the window ensures plentiful natural light, positive energy flow, and flattering lighting for Zoom meetings. A small lamp positioned near the window supplements light on cloudy days or evenings from a consistent direction, reducing psychological friction when working at lower-light times of the year.

To their right, we’ve given them the soft barrier of a rolling cart at the side of the desk. This easily-moved piece creates a more private area for them to work, acting as a boundary for the high-energy path in and out of the loft and subtly reminding the child that their parent is in a special “work zone” that is off limits.

Finally, we placed a small children’s desk in alignment with the parents’ desk to encourage mimicking: the concept that children will repeat what they see people around them doing. We set up a dedicated bookcase near the desk with art supplies and a pegboard above for proudly displaying their creations.