Find the Perfect Spot for Your Home Office
If there is something we all know about now, it’s a home office. Maybe you love them, or maybe you hate them. Either way, one thing we can agree on is that home offices are not one-size-fits-all. They come in different shapes, sizes and styles. You can use a whole room for it or just a corner. It all depends on your needs and available square footage that you have to spare!
If you’re still struggling to figure out how to find the perfect spot for your home office, or maybe you need an office refresh, I suggest you start by asking yourself this question. “Why do I need this space?” (i.e. What tasks are you going to do?). Maybe you’re meeting clients or employees either virtually or in person. Maybe you’re only using it for setting up a computer and paying bills. And, if you’re like me, you’re going to need some surface area to spread out samples and materials through your creative process. It’s also important to consider how much time you’re going to spend in your office space and if you need to be able to close a door.
The answer to this exercise will help you understand how much space you need and the ultimate setting. So once you know what you need, you’ll be ready to scan your home and find that perfect spot.
As an Interior Designer, I’ve found that no matter the type of work being done in a home office, clients have these two necessities.
A Quiet and Calm Space
Let’s be honest, between text messages, social media, and instant messaging with coworkers, it’s hard enough to stay focused. So, in order to minimize distractions in your home office, a quiet workspace is necessary. I’ll let you in on a secret - the key to success is focus! Focus on your goals; focus on positivity; focus on doing what you do best.
As you look around for the perfect location, I recommend staying away from high traffic areas like the kitchen, living room or children's playrooms. Keep in mind how noisy sounds from outside can be (the landscaper, cars driving by, etc.) and try to avoid unwanted street noise.
Expert Tip: When all else fails, I resort to some lined drapery panels to help mask the sounds! For an inexpensive solution, these drapes by Half Priced Drapes on Amazon are a steal! I love them because they have a tab back (This is key!) and allows you to have a high end ripple fold look that is usually accomplished through pins and rings without all that fuss!
Natural Light & A Beautiful View (if you’re lucky)
Believe it or not, being exposed to natural light helps you to sleep better, makes you happier and reduces the chance of getting physical and mental illness (e.g headaches, eyestrain, impaired vision, depression, diabetes, and chronic pain).
Natural light is a must have in my book. I suggest you look for a space with at least one window. If you’re one of the lucky ones with that beautiful view, make sure to position your desk so that you’re able to see out the window, rather than having it behind you. And if you will be doing video conferences, make sure that you do not have a bright light source (like a window) right behind you. It will make you look dark in the video. Position your desk with the window to your side, or add shades that can be adjusted to control the amount of light and reduce any glare without darkening your room.
Expert Tip: If your space doesn't have big windows, or you just want more light, hang a mirror on a wall that will reflect the light source. This will increase the natural light in your room!
Your Home Office can be Functional and Beautiful
The Interior Designer in me is convinced that beauty and functionality can live happily together, and you don’t have sacrifice on style! Your furniture and storage solutions should serve you, not the other way around. This is especially true if you’re going to use them on a daily basis. Here is how you can incorporate functionality and beauty into your home office.
Functional Furniture
Choosing the right desk and chair for your home office is essential to your comfort and productivity. There are endless options, and guess what?! You don’t need traditional office furniture in order to be productive!
Things to consider are how much space you need for your work surface. To figure out how big your desk should be, think about how many things you need on it. If you only need your laptop, almost any size will work for you. You could consider a Parsons style or Waterfall console table, or a small desk. Or if you need a little more surface area for taking notes, a tray with documents or mail, and an extra monitor, something closer to 60” wide is a better choice.
Expert Tip: I skip the office desks and go to the dining tables for a good scale desk! These are usually deeper than a desk, giving maximum work space for spreading out.
When it comes to your chair, pay attention to these 2 things:
Seat Height: Make sure your feet touch the floor. A typical seat height should be anywhere from 17-22”. If you’re shorter (or taller), measure the space from the back of your knee down to the floor to determine the ideal seat height for you! If the chair has arms, keep in mind the height of the desk. You’ll want to make sure that the chair arms clear the desk so that you can slide under!
Seat Cushion: Comfort and support are important, especially when you’ll be sitting for long hours at a time. If you’re able to, try out a few chairs with different firmnesses until you find the one that feels more comfortable for you. If you require special support, check out the Purple seat cushions (They are comfy!).
Keep an open mind when looking for the perfect home office furniture, and remember traditional office furniture isn’t the only way. As long as it fits your needs, and has the right dimensions, you can find beautiful and interesting pieces that can offer you comfort and a pleasant place to work.
Storage Solutions
Organization is important in a home office. It keeps your space tidy, free of clutter, and increases your productivity. Whether you opt for a freestanding bookcase, hang floating shelves or need a file cabinet, do not miss this important detail when designing your home office.
Expert Tip: Check out Storage Solutions: Creative Ways to Declutter and Organize. You'll find some unexpected ways to store your items!
Tame Your Technology
Nothing makes a space look more disorganized than unruly wires! Don’t let technology hold back your home office’s beauty. There are lots of ways to address cable management!
Go wireless: Wireless options are easily accessible these days. Invest in bluetooth and wireless items, like printers, mice, and keyboards, to cut down on additional wires on your desk.
Grommets: Many desks come with grommets on top (a small hole with a finished cover or ring). They are great because it’s a neat way to group all your cords together (using zip ties or cord ties) and run the cable underneath your desk and into an outlet for electricity. If you go for a non-traditional desk type, you can always add a grommet in your desktop. Amazon sells this pretty grommet set and you’ll just need a carpenter or a hole saw to cut the hole. Tip: Run the wires from your desk through the grommet and down along a leg to keep things tidy.
Anchoring: A simpler solution is to arrange your space so that your desk and equipment with cords are against the wall and close to a plug. This makes hiding any visible cords much easier.
Add a Personal Touch to Your Home Office
The best part about having a home office is that you can decide how you want it to look and feel. Go as wild as you want, with paint colors, accent walls, or wallpaper, or keep it crisp and minimal. Think about what inspires you. It could be your favorite accessories, artwork, or quotes. These small touches help you set the vibe you need to be productive.
Expert Tip: Create a special corner in your office as a treat for yourself for mini break sessions. Afterall, taking breaks when working from home is key to your overall happiness and ability to create some separation between life and work. Maybe it’s a snack and coffee cart for those quick recharges, or a 15 minute recovery chair for those moments when you need to take a break.
Feeling overwhelmed with your home office and unsure where to start? Amy Rebekah Interiors can help! Drop us an email to learn more about working with us for your Interior Design needs.
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