Inside Job: Tricks to Transform your Home Office into a Stylish Workplace
Your home office is where to get things done, whether you work full-time, part-time, or just use it as a place to do everyday tasks and paperwork. Because it needs to be somewhere for you to be efficient and free of distractions, your home office must feel organized, minimalistic, and tranquil. For a home office to fit any work style, follow our guide to designing and transforming a home office into a stylish workspace.
1. Pick the Perfect Desk
The most important item in your home office is the desk. As you use it more than any other piece of furniture, it needs to suit your work habits and style. There are several desk types that can complement a home office. A simple framed desk is a popular choice for modern home offices, as it makes the room feel less cramped. A more ornate desk can sometimes hold extra but can make a room seem small and restricted. If you need a little more storage space than a minimalist desk offers, a modern storage desk is the perfect home office solution as it has room for your papers and supplies plus looks chic and sophisticated.
Depending on the type of work you do, you might find a standing (or sitting) movable desk is what you need. Creative work sometimes calls for movement around the room, and a standing desk that can be wheeled around the room allows for this and your creativity to flow. If you have a small corner office space or even two home office spaces, you could opt for a standing desk to give yourself a spot to do quick tasks, as it takes up less space.
You can make your desk inspiring with what you choose to accessorize it with. Try to be simplistic, and choose stationary sets, supplies, and other knick-knacks that complement the design of the room. Whatever type of desk you choose, remember that it’s one of the defining pieces of the room, and will set the stage for all of your other furnishing choices. So choose wisely and think clean lines for inspiration!
2. Select the Right Seat
Once you have a desk, (unless it's a standing desk only), you'll need something to sit on. Mesh office chairs are a popular choice, as they offer good support, are breathable, and are usually more adjustable than most chairs. For a fresh and appealing look, a modern desk chair is a good choice. When choosing your office chair consider look vs. functionality. While modern chairs may look better in the room, they often don’t have armrests or as many adjustment features as a mesh office chair. It's important to strike a balance between the appearance of the room and practicality as you need to sit comfortably.
A desk chair may not be the only seating you need for your home office. Do you plan to have business clients or co-workers over? Do you have meetings? Or do you just have a lot of extra space in your home office? If so, a seating area can be a great addition to your office space. Depending on the size of the space you have to work with, you could choose a stylish office couch and coffee table or just an extra armchair or two. And when you get tired of being at your desk and need a break extra seating can give you somewhere to reflect and recharge. The key to choosing extra office seating is to ensure it meets your needs, doesn´t take up too much space and isn´t distracting.
3. Light Smart
In a home office, natural lighting is your biggest ally. If you have a large window or two, try to position your desk or workspace near them without blocking the light. Be sure not to block windows with shades or furniture to allow as much light in as possible. If you have little or no natural light, the key is to balance overhead lights and task lighting. Overhead lights alone are not enough; you need light to shine directly on wherever you will be writing, reading, and working. And using only task lighting will make a room look smaller – the mix of both gives you the ideal balance. Remember, though, when placing lighting, try not to position any light source too close to any screens; computers, tablets, etc. Lighting near screens can create a glare, which could damage your eyes. Also avoid using harsh fluorescent lighting, for the same reason. Warmer lighting and even adjustable lighting will allow you to work for longer periods of time without causing you vision problems.
4. Make Storage Modern and Functional
Whether you just use your home office for working away from your main office, or as your full-time workplace, you'll likely have a lot to store. A cluttered office can be distracting to work in which is why proper storage furniture is a must.
A desk and filing cabinet are basic storage options, common in every office space. While they are great, many modern home offices use other furniture pieces for storage, as desks and lots of cabinets can make a room feel cramped. For a clean, modern feel, select storage pieces that are open or low to the ground. A modern shelf that doesn´t cover your walls can open up the room and offer plenty of storage space. You can easily pair this type of shelving with decorative baskets and storage bins to keep things neat and organized, rather than having everything out on display which can look messy. You can also achieve a similar effect with wall-mounted shelving (though it might give you a bit less space).
A bookshelf is a great way to organize not only books, but files, supplies, and other office trinkets. A simple bookshelf works well in larger offices with more wall space. But be sure not to block any of your natural light with office bookshelves. If space is limited, a narrower bookshelf or a corner shelf unit is a good alternative, as these don’t take up much space. If you're really cramped, you could even move some of your office storage into a hall or closet, freeing up more space in the office itself. Just remember not to store anything you use often far from your workspace!
5. Keep Paint and Decor Simple, but Exciting
When painting and decorating your home office your goal should be to keep the space simple but stimulating. Bolder colors tend to energize a room, so opting for reds, yellows, or even a mix of neutrals is better than cool or very dark colors. One or two simple colors or patterns will make the room seem glamorous without being overwhelming. You can extend this idea to your decor. One or two statement pieces will give your office a sense of sophistication whereas overcrowding it with accents will create clutter. If you have a lot of supplies, books, and papers it’s especially important to keep decor minimalistic.
For a fun modern look, pick one piece of furniture or decor to stand out – this could be your seating, desk, or a rug or a piece of stunning wall art. One bold piece gives a room a modern look without being overwhelming.
Like any other room of the home, accents can add personality to an office. Unlike in your living room or bedroom, though, it's best if they serve a purpose in order to promote efficiency. A simple clock adds a studious vibe. You can also add accents to your shelving, so long as the space is not already cramped. Think about using the same type of accents and decor you see in a real office, as they will often enhance the room without being distracting.
6. Make it Comfortable!
Your home office is your space, and it should fit you and your style. Because you will likely be working long hours in it, your office should be comfortable and relaxing. There are lots of fun products that can make working more enjoyable. A foot hammock is a great way to get comfortable when working and allows you to kick your feet up. Add a throw to your seating so you can snuggle up while working on a cold day. And for when you're really exhausted due to all that creativity, an ostrich pillow will let you lay down at your desk to power nap between projects. Above all, be creative! Anything that makes you comfortable and work smarter is a great addition to your home office.
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1. Pick the Perfect Desk
The most important item in your home office is the desk. As you use it more than any other piece of furniture, it needs to suit your work habits and style. There are several desk types that can complement a home office. A simple framed desk is a popular choice for modern home offices, as it makes the room feel less cramped. A more ornate desk can sometimes hold extra but can make a room seem small and restricted. If you need a little more storage space than a minimalist desk offers, a modern storage desk is the perfect home office solution as it has room for your papers and supplies plus looks chic and sophisticated.
Depending on the type of work you do, you might find a standing (or sitting) movable desk is what you need. Creative work sometimes calls for movement around the room, and a standing desk that can be wheeled around the room allows for this and your creativity to flow. If you have a small corner office space or even two home office spaces, you could opt for a standing desk to give yourself a spot to do quick tasks, as it takes up less space.
You can make your desk inspiring with what you choose to accessorize it with. Try to be simplistic, and choose stationary sets, supplies, and other knick-knacks that complement the design of the room. Whatever type of desk you choose, remember that it’s one of the defining pieces of the room, and will set the stage for all of your other furnishing choices. So choose wisely and think clean lines for inspiration!
2. Select the Right Seat
Once you have a desk, (unless it's a standing desk only), you'll need something to sit on. Mesh office chairs are a popular choice, as they offer good support, are breathable, and are usually more adjustable than most chairs. For a fresh and appealing look, a modern desk chair is a good choice. When choosing your office chair consider look vs. functionality. While modern chairs may look better in the room, they often don’t have armrests or as many adjustment features as a mesh office chair. It's important to strike a balance between the appearance of the room and practicality as you need to sit comfortably.
A desk chair may not be the only seating you need for your home office. Do you plan to have business clients or co-workers over? Do you have meetings? Or do you just have a lot of extra space in your home office? If so, a seating area can be a great addition to your office space. Depending on the size of the space you have to work with, you could choose a stylish office couch and coffee table or just an extra armchair or two. And when you get tired of being at your desk and need a break extra seating can give you somewhere to reflect and recharge. The key to choosing extra office seating is to ensure it meets your needs, doesn´t take up too much space and isn´t distracting.
3. Light Smart
In a home office, natural lighting is your biggest ally. If you have a large window or two, try to position your desk or workspace near them without blocking the light. Be sure not to block windows with shades or furniture to allow as much light in as possible. If you have little or no natural light, the key is to balance overhead lights and task lighting. Overhead lights alone are not enough; you need light to shine directly on wherever you will be writing, reading, and working. And using only task lighting will make a room look smaller – the mix of both gives you the ideal balance. Remember, though, when placing lighting, try not to position any light source too close to any screens; computers, tablets, etc. Lighting near screens can create a glare, which could damage your eyes. Also avoid using harsh fluorescent lighting, for the same reason. Warmer lighting and even adjustable lighting will allow you to work for longer periods of time without causing you vision problems.
4. Make Storage Modern and Functional
Whether you just use your home office for working away from your main office, or as your full-time workplace, you'll likely have a lot to store. A cluttered office can be distracting to work in which is why proper storage furniture is a must.
A desk and filing cabinet are basic storage options, common in every office space. While they are great, many modern home offices use other furniture pieces for storage, as desks and lots of cabinets can make a room feel cramped. For a clean, modern feel, select storage pieces that are open or low to the ground. A modern shelf that doesn´t cover your walls can open up the room and offer plenty of storage space. You can easily pair this type of shelving with decorative baskets and storage bins to keep things neat and organized, rather than having everything out on display which can look messy. You can also achieve a similar effect with wall-mounted shelving (though it might give you a bit less space).
A bookshelf is a great way to organize not only books, but files, supplies, and other office trinkets. A simple bookshelf works well in larger offices with more wall space. But be sure not to block any of your natural light with office bookshelves. If space is limited, a narrower bookshelf or a corner shelf unit is a good alternative, as these don’t take up much space. If you're really cramped, you could even move some of your office storage into a hall or closet, freeing up more space in the office itself. Just remember not to store anything you use often far from your workspace!
5. Keep Paint and Decor Simple, but Exciting
When painting and decorating your home office your goal should be to keep the space simple but stimulating. Bolder colors tend to energize a room, so opting for reds, yellows, or even a mix of neutrals is better than cool or very dark colors. One or two simple colors or patterns will make the room seem glamorous without being overwhelming. You can extend this idea to your decor. One or two statement pieces will give your office a sense of sophistication whereas overcrowding it with accents will create clutter. If you have a lot of supplies, books, and papers it’s especially important to keep decor minimalistic.
For a fun modern look, pick one piece of furniture or decor to stand out – this could be your seating, desk, or a rug or a piece of stunning wall art. One bold piece gives a room a modern look without being overwhelming.
Like any other room of the home, accents can add personality to an office. Unlike in your living room or bedroom, though, it's best if they serve a purpose in order to promote efficiency. A simple clock adds a studious vibe. You can also add accents to your shelving, so long as the space is not already cramped. Think about using the same type of accents and decor you see in a real office, as they will often enhance the room without being distracting.
6. Make it Comfortable!
Your home office is your space, and it should fit you and your style. Because you will likely be working long hours in it, your office should be comfortable and relaxing. There are lots of fun products that can make working more enjoyable. A foot hammock is a great way to get comfortable when working and allows you to kick your feet up. Add a throw to your seating so you can snuggle up while working on a cold day. And for when you're really exhausted due to all that creativity, an ostrich pillow will let you lay down at your desk to power nap between projects. Above all, be creative! Anything that makes you comfortable and work smarter is a great addition to your home office.
About The Author
