Whether your home office is your primary work space or a place to conduct personal business and run the household, keeping this space fresh and functional will keep you and your family productive.
Check out these tips and tricks for making your home office a space you’ll want to spend time in.
Location Location Location
Even within the walls of your own home, real estate is at a premium. Decide whether you can afford to devote an entire room to your office or if you need to find a smaller area in which to create your workspace.
The function of the room plays a role; do you work from home a significant amount of time, or do you just need a place to set up a desk and computer for kids’ homework? If you are working there for much of the day, you will want a larger area with privacy. Being able to shut yourself off from distractions of the house such as family members, kitchen and laundry may be worth committing an entire room to the office. Otherwise, sectioning off part of the kitchen or living room may be an ideal gathering spot for your family.
Light It Up
A well-lit home office is going to be more pleasant and functional. Natural light provides the optimum lighting and view. However, if your office is in the interior of your home or a basement, try positioning your desk as near a window as possible. Get a bright desk lamp to enhance the lighting. Chandeliers and other statement ceiling fixtures can be a striking addition to your home office. Just make sure there is ample lighting so your eyes do not strain.
Take a Seat
Not surprisingly, the quality and comfort of your office chair is one of the most important factors in a home office. Shop around until you find a chair that both suits the style of your room and allows you to work comfortably. Look for a chair with an ergonomic design so you can remain seated while performing your daily tasks.
Not sure where to start? Take a look at these ergonomic office chairs recommended by republiclab.com.
Line ‘Em Up
Shelving is key to keeping your home office organized and tidy, and thus, keeping you productive. Open shelving is quite popular right now and for good reason. This style of shelf provides endless design possibilities. Stack them up high, keep them low and long, arrange them in whichever way best suits your room. Your projects are easily located and you can incorporate personal touches alongside your work.
Built ins are another great way to organize your office. These are shelves literally built in and around the walls of your office. This helps create a more permanent feel to the space. These can be an open shelving or cabinet style, or a mix of both. Built ins can be customized to your needs.
Here are some gorgeous and practical home office shelving ideas from decoist.com.
Keep Focus
If you can sit in your home office and gaze out a lovely picture window out to your lovely flower garden, well, then you are one of the lucky ones! Most of us find our home office crammed into back bedrooms, basements and maybe even a closet. In these instances, creating a focal point can be more of a challenge. If your home office space is lacking a window, try adding a mirror for depth. Find a large piece of artwork that speaks to you to hang above your desk. It is important to create a focal point to help keep you on task.
The Snuggle Factor
What’s even the point of working from home if you don’t have some added comfort, am I right? Incorporate some fluffy pillows and cozy blankets. Fuzzy slippers, anyone? This is your office but it’s also your home; make it feel like home and you’ll find yourself more content there.
Make It Personal
While working in a stuffy office building you may be hesitant to display family photos and your child’s latest masterpiece, but your home office is the perfect place for this! Add some finishing touches with a few of your most loved items like your favorite ink pen or a coffee mug you’ve had for years. Remember, this is your space and there are no nosy coworkers to share with! Keeping these treasured mementos close by is yet another way to keep your home office home-like.
For more inspiration, check out some beautiful home offices from houzz.com.
Once you have created an ideal workspace in your home you’ll be ready to sit back, relax, and tackle all those projects!