Hello Debbie,

I'm going to start working from home soon and I need to set up an office in my spare bedroom. Where should I go for modern office furniture and storage ideas?

Cheers,
Susie

Our Shopping Expert replies:

Hi there Susie,

Now that home working is so popular manufacturers have really met the need and there are loads of marvellous storage solutions on the market. Many high street stores sell great desks, stylish filing cabinets and storage boxes. You can make your office high tech or have it blend in with more 'homely' surroundings.

If you're putting your office in a spare bedroom, then you may need the office to 'disappear' when you have guests. Oka sell a sweet little desk made of bamboo in the 'campaign' style that works fine as a desk but is pretty enough to be used by guests as a dressing table. They sell a rattan file chest too and various rattan desk accessories. The desk costs £540, the filing cabinet is £96 and the desk accessories start at £26. Call Oka on (0870) 160 6002.

If you're after something more contemporary, then you can't do much better than a glass desk top on either metal or wooden trestles. It looks modern and elegant whilst not being 'too' officey and heavy. Habitat sell a variety of glass tops and trestles. Their Lagon range come in three sizes - 140 x 80cm (£120), 180cm x 80cm (£160) and 200cm x 80cm (£200). Trestles come in either metal (£45 for the Nico) or wood (£49). They also sell matching drawers (£29) or trays (£12). Try Habitat too for good-looking filing and storage cabinets - the 'Bastien' costs £99. For information on your nearest store call Habitat on (0845) 601 0740. Alternatively, John Lewis sell a lovely glass and steel desk for £169 called the 'Soho'. Team it with their 'Soho' chair in beech veneer for £69.

Finish off this look with desk accessories in clear Perspex from Muji. Prices start at £1.50 for a pen pot and 3 and 5 drawer cabinets (great for business cards, and general desk clutter) go from £7.50 up to £12.95

If space is at a premium, then try a small 'computer desk'. The advantage of these is they are usually on wheels and can be moved around the house. John Lewis stock a great little glass and aluminium one called the Viva computer desk (£69). Bo Concept do one which is designed to either be used alone or over another table (£292). Muji sell one too made of steel and maple - for £125. This ties in with their shelving accessories - a set of drawers, shelves and storage cabinets as well as hanging rails, that would make a perfect office unit for a room that has other uses. You just mix and match the uprights, with the drawers or cabinets you want - but an average unit with loads of storage and hanging space would cost around £400.

John Lewis sell all the products mentioned online and there are 9 Bo-Concept stores around the country including Glasgow, Cardiff and Brighton.

Enjoy your new office!

Debbie