Designing a Beautiful and Functional Home Office
No longer are we forced to work a 9-5 workday while trapped in drab, stifling cubicles. No, today is the age of working from home and telecommuting. And even if you aren’t blessed with a career that allows you to work from home full-time, chances are you still have a home office to get your after-hours work done.
Whatever the case may be, having a home office you want to go to work in is key to having a successful career.
The great thing about a home office is you can decorate it however you want – unlike a corporate office. Make your office beautiful and functional with these quick and easy design tips.
Find a Quiet Space
When you’re figuring out which part of your home you’re going to convert into your office, take into account the amount of people traffic you’ll get in each room. You might have a ton of space in your family room, but if you have kids that love watching TV or a roommate who plays video games at all hours, you might want a different area.
Your home office is supposed to be a place where you’ll get work done – so make sure you can do that. There’s a difference between background noise and distractions. Find that area in your home where you can get work done with as few distractions as possible.
Incorporate Colors
You want to avoid having too many distractions in your office space, but that doesn’t mean your office should be barren and gray. Adding some colors and fun designs to your décor will help spice up the place while giving a good sense of your personality.
Paint the walls a fun color or hang up some pictures. If you have shelving units installed, put knickknacks or books on them to add a little variety to the space. Don’t be afraid to have fun with decorating – after all, you’re going to be spending a lot of time in your office. You might as well enjoy it.
Treat Yourself to Greens
Add some life to your office – literally. Having plants in your office can help keep the air clean while adding some living decorations to your space. Some plants and flowers can even give your space a nice scent, making your office even more inviting. As an added bonus, having a plant in your office is shown to decrease stress and increase productivity by twelve percent.
If you’re the type who has a brown thumb, there are still plenty of hard-to-kill plants you can use. Aloe plants are low-maintenance and can help calm irritated skin, while bamboo plants require little fuss to be kept alive.
Invest in a Good Chair
The office is your kingdom, and every ruler deserves a good throne. Don’t settle for a kitchen chair or stiff, uncomfortable office chair. If you’re going to be spending a substantial amount of time working, you should have a chair that supports your back and encourages good posture.
You’ll want a chair that’s comfortable but also sturdy. If a good office chair is out of your price range, at the very least use a chair with good cushioning and find something to help support your back.
Have Plenty of Light
You don’t want to strain your eyes while working. Make sure you have plenty of light sources in your office. Put your desk near any windows so you can get plenty of natural light, which is better for your health than being trapped in a windowless room. Swap out your dark window treatments for less heavy drapery to let in more light and give your office a fresh feel.
In addition to natural light, make sure you have other light sources for when you’re working after the sun sets. A desk lamp by your workspace can help reduce strain on your eyes, while a standing lamp can help brighten up the room some more.
Have a Stand-Up Desk
While there are some times you might have to sit down and get work done, studies have shown that sitting down all day is bad for your health. Having an option for a standing desk can help keep your body healthy while allowing you to get work done.
If space is a big concern for you, install a shelf on your wall that can support your computer and any work you do. Place it at about chest height for the best results, though you can adjust it to personal preference.
Be Organized
Everyone has different methods for organization – find one that works for you. Since it’s your space, you have a bit more freedom with this than if you were in a corporate office. However, it’s still important for you to have a good organizational system in place.
With home sizes shrinking, storage solutions that make the most of no-space-wasted design are becoming increasingly more important. Make the most of whatever space you have with customizable storage spaces. Install some cabinets on your walls to help save floor space and add shelves or bookcases for extra storage and decoration space.
