If you have the extra space, creating a home office is a great addition to a home. Whether you work from home full time, or just like to catch up on things over the weekend, designing the perfect workspace will help you be more productive and make you excited to get things done.
What kind of work environment do you want?
What kind of work environment reflects your personality? Do you like bright and white? Colorful and fun? Or serious with black leathers and dark woods? Think about the kind of environment you want and what will set the tone for the type of work you’ll be doing. Look to sites such as Houzz, Pinterest, or Google Images for inspiration and take a look at what you like and don’t like.
Where will you be working?
You may be fortunate enough to have an empty room to transform into your dream office. Or you may be trying to create a workspace in a guest room or open living area. If you’re combining two spaces into one room, look for a desk or console table that works with the current décor of the room. This way it won’t stand out as an office space when you have company over. Your desk could double as a vanity in a guest room or as a sofa table in a living room. And add a comfortable chair that adds a bit of flair to the space.
What kind of work will you be doing?
Think about the kind of work you’ll be doing and what you’ll need storage and space for. Will you mostly be working on the computer? Will you need a larger surface for spreading work out? Make sure that your furniture (and space) will support the type of work you’ll be doing so you can be as productive as possible.
You’ll also want to think about the types of storage you’ll need, from bookshelves, to filing cabinets, to baskets and binders. Think about the best way to store everything that you’ll be using in the most aesthetic way – and look for inspiration images in your field too. You’ll find best practices in storing whatever it is you’ll be working with.
What helps you be productive?
Explore what helps you get the most work done. If brighter light helps, move away from window treatments and look for stronger lighting options with a higher bulb wattage. Or if you want less light, look for black-out curtain panels. You can also think about sound and insulation (things like rugs and upholstered items help absorb more sound).
Play around with the layout too. If you work best with a view, face the desk towards the window. Or if you want to avoid any distractions, try having the desk face a wall.
Helpful Tips
- Look for inspiration images in your field to find out what works best.
- Think about the layout and color palette to make sure you can get the most work done.
- Invest in a desk that makes the most sense for you. If you want something much larger than a standard desk – like a small-sized dining table, then go for it!
Image Credit: Stephanie Wiley Photography, Nancy Sanford, Inc., Rossington Architecture, and Maria Killam.
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