Designing Your Home Office

With a growing number of people choosing to work from home, why work in a space that is equivalent to your company cubicle?  The home office should not only be a comfortable environment, but a space that will keep you focused and inspired.

Function and Form

It’s important to know that when you’re designing a home office you need to define how the space will be used.  What is the room’s function?  This will help create the layout for the space.  First, you want to make sure there is tons of work space. A desk should be 24 inches deep and a minimum of 36 inches of width. The desk should also face the door for instant eye-contact with anyone who walks in. Storage is very important and there needs to be plenty of it.  Bookshelves, drawers and file cabinets should be easily accessible. And lastly, you should keep office equipment close to electrical outlets to hide cords.

Personalize the Space

Make your home office “you” and choose accessories that will enhance the comfy feeling:  trendy notepads, framed art, a decorative wastebasket or family pictures.  Also, don’t forget you’re in your home, so paint the walls a color you’ll enjoy.  Be colorful and forget about that drab office beige.  And don’t forget to place accent furniture pieces around the room for when you host business meetings or your family members wander in.

Let there be Light

Your home office doesn’t need to have those nasty fluorescent lights you would have at work, but there should be plenty of light to reduce eye strain and headaches.  If there is a window in the room, keep your computer at a 45 degree angle to reduce the glare on the screen.  Also, purchase a small desk lamp for task lighting.

Your Throne

Whether you own a business or are an employee, the chair in your home office should be top of the line.  Invest in a great chair that is beautiful, ergonomically correct and comfortable.  Trust me, it’ll be money well spent!

-Laura

1 Comment

  1. I think people don’t personalize their home office as much. Great ideas! Also, I agree about the chair. :)

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