Designing a workspace holds more merit now than ever before, with so many of us working from home. With no return to the workplace in sight, designing a workspace that is not only comfortable but practical is more important than ever. A great home office begins with a space that is comfortable enough to spend much of your day in, and optimally functional to get work done, without sacrificing style. Read on to learn how to decorate your home office so you can create the perfect space for all your functional– and practical– design needs.
Choose The Right Desk
Your office desk is where inspiration and magic happen. It’s also the design focal point of the space. There’s no skimping here. Choosing the right desk boils down to how you want the room to function- do you need an L-shaped desk? Or will a standard desk do the trick? Consider size, shape, functionality and balance within the space– all important factors when choosing the perfect desk for your South San Francisco home office.
Get A Cozy Chair
The chair you sit in from 9-to-5 is just as important as the desk you’re going to be working at. Choose a chair that is not only aesthetically pleasing but comfortable to sit in. You want to go with a chair that is supportive, moves around easily, and keeps you comfortable for a good chunk of time. With so many style options out there, you’re bound to find the right chair that matches your sitting– and working– needs.
Bookcase
While much of our work life storage needs are brought to us in part by “the cloud” many of us still have tangible items that need a place to rest. Bookcases are a great way to store binders, books, and even personal mementos. They provide visual interest within the space. And when you think about it, many items within a home office tend to be horizontal. Bookcases offer vertical visual interest. Offset your books and binders with the occasional vase and picture frame, or framed art. This breaks up the mundane look of the bookcase offering a pleasant design aesthetic.
Personal Items
Your desk shouldn’t simply provide refuge for your computer. Incorporate personal items such as picture frames, and other personal accessories. These items break up the stiff business feel that an office space can exude by adding a warm, personal touch. Plus, it’s always nice to look at items that make us happy throughout the day- especially when spending so much time working.
Greenery
Add a touch of green. Adding greenery brightens the space by giving it a welcoming and organic feel. Plants provide a sense of clean, earthy goodness– easily elevating the design aesthetic by bringing the outside in. Small succulents can be added to a bookcase or onto your desk– warm and inviting touches to create a cohesively elevated look.
Rug
Tie the whole place together– and add much comfort– with a rug. Choose a rug that is easy on the feet, allows your desk chair to move freely, and brings the entire design scheme together. Rugs add warmth, sophistication, and an anchor to an otherwise cold space.
Bold Walls
Painting a space can go a long way to elevating its overall look and feel. Consider painting your home office a bold, moody tone. Lean into olives, navy blues, or even charcoal. Since the space is only utilized for your home office needs, you can get away with painting it a fun and uncharacteristic color than the rest of your home. Not feeling bold color choice for all four walls? Consider an accent wall instead.
Let There Be Light
Overhead lighting and task lighting play a vast role in how your home office feels and functions. Think about adding conversational statement piece lighting overhead, while strategically placing lamps for task lighting on desks and bookcases. Be mindful of where your computer is placed in regards to lighting to avoid glare. While placing your desk in front of a window is encouraged, ensure that your computer screen is facing away from windows.
Accessories
With any design aesthetic, accessories add warmth, interest, and functionality to a space. Your home office is no exception. Consider adding magazine racks to create height variation within the space. For added texture, consider adding bamboo floor cushions. Tall plants placed in corners help elevate the look and feel of the room by adding a contrasting green hue. Accessories add a personalized touch to the space that’s all your own.
Turn Walls Into Workspace
Use your walls to keep yourself organized and your space visually interesting. Consider magnetic linen wallpaper above your desk, or on empty walls. This provides an easy way to showcase calendars, important documents, or other inspirational items. If not looking to invest in wallpaper, hang a big piece of corkboard to achieve a similar effect.
Leave Space for Clients
Whether your work requires clients to be present or not, consider leaving space for additional seating. The extra seating provides a nice juxtaposition to the desk, creating visual interest and additional warmth.
Lounge Space
Adding a lounge space to a home office might seem like an outlandish thought, but creating such a space adds warmth and interest to the room. Many home offices benefit from such a space, creating a spot to rest and refresh.
An Interest with Art
Empty wall spaces can be just as distracting as overly decorated surfaces. Look for prints that offer natural, subtle imagery. Adding just a touch of art can go the distance to creating a productive and calm work environment.
The Bottom Line
Remember, how to create your home office begins by filling it with items you love. This is a space you will be spending lots of time in. It’s important to create a space that you want to be in– especially since you have to be. Sprinkle personal touches where you can, and make the space work for you. You want your home office to be a place where you look forward to being– and where you want to go, so make it your own. Your productive self will thank you.
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Related: Work from Home in Style: Modern Decor for Your Home Office