Whether it’s a quiet and comfortable area for your work-from-home setup or a small nook where you can focus on household to-do lists, everyone needs a section in their household dedicated as a workspace. This allows you to transition from work life to home life and vice versa (say goodbye to conference calls from your bed or dining table).
If you don’t know where to start, interior designers at The Linen Duck share 10 tips on how you can design your very own home office.
1.Location is key
If you’re spending most of your day in your office, don’t just settle for a dark and windowless room just because it’s rarely used.
Consider the way you work. Can you focus even in a high-traffic area where family members constantly come and go, or do you need a quiet space away from all the distractions? If you are entertaining clients, ample seating options are a must.
2.Shop in beautiful yet functional furniture
Your home office need not have the feel of a drab and soulless cubicle; a mix of classic and contemporary pieces adds a stylish twist to a home office. Consider the tasks/items that should be easily accessible to you, then shop for furniture pieces that serve your workflow.
3. Invest in an awesome chair
A beautiful, comfortable, and ergonomically correct chair is worth every dollar. Your body will thank you for it.
4.Add a pop of color to your walls
Certain colors affect mood and productivity; find what hues keep you inspired and productive. Some are energized by bold yellows and oranges while others need calm blues and greens to focus.
5.You deserve a view
Your desk should ideally be next to a window so you can stare at something relaxing – like a garden – each time you look up from your computer. If you’re in a windowless room, hang artwork or position your chair to face the door.
6.Greenify your space
Bringing plants into your home office can boost productivity and morale. Visit your neighborhood garden shop and ask for recommendations on the kind of plants that will thrive in your space.
7.Maximize the space available
Not all home offices are blessed with ample amounts of space so it’s best to maximize each square foot available. Hang floating shelves on the walls to get papers and office equipment off the desk, and use vertical file folders for important paperwork.
8.Take charge of your technology
Make sure your equipment is accessible and easy to unplug if needed. Feed cords into a desk grommet, a plastic or metal cap that helps guide cords through a hole in the desk and hides them underneath. Tame unsightly cords with cord winders, tubing, or a wire organizer that’s attached to the desk and lifts the cords off the floor.
9. Light up
Your home office should have generous amounts of light to cut down on eye strain and headaches. Position the computer monitor so there’s no glare from a window or overhead light, and add a small lamp on the desk for task lighting.
10. Stay inspired
What inspires you to wake up each morning and get the work done? Add pieces that remind you of your “why.” It could be photos of your family, your dream home, or destinations you’d love to travel to one day.
The Linen Duck offers interior design services in Nashville TN and surrounding areas. Sit down with one of their in-house designers and discuss space planning, art, accessories, and other elements of design for a space you are working on. Email info@thelinenduck.com or call (931) 548-2422 to book a discovery call.