Top 6 Tips For Decorating Your Home Office
Over the last two years, we have seen many changes to the way in which we live. Perhaps none more so than how we work.
Gone seem to be the days when we all headed off to the office to work, with more and more of us now working either part-time or full-time from home. Even with Covid work-from-home restrictions reducing, this is a trend that does not appear likely to be reversed.
As a result our homes are now having to serve not just as a place to relax, eat and sleep, but also to work. Previous trends for small study nooks or family-incorporated study zones, no longer seem to cut it.
Read on then for my Top 6 Tips for Decorating Your Home Office in this brave, new world.
Tip 1: Think about how you perform best.
Think back to when you used to still worked in an office environment.
Did you work in an open-plan working space or did you have your own office (lucky you!). Did you enjoy and feed off the noise and energy of those around you, or did it make you reach for those noise-cancelling headphones in your top draw?
When you are planning your home office these are important considerations that you need to ask yourself. I know that I need quiet and so for me, a home office as far from the main traffic areas in our home is the best option.
However, you might like background noise or need a space to keep an eye on your children. In that case, consider choosing a room for you home office that is close to the family and living areas.
Of course, you might be like me and prefer quiet, but simply have no choice but to use a room close to others. In that case, consider investing in quality solid doors, rugs and even thicker drapes - all being good ways to reduce noise transfer.
Tip 2: Choose a desk that works for you.
We have all seen those gorgeous, dainty, gold rimmed desks that seem to be so fashionable at the moment. However, as gorgeous as they might look, the question you should really be asking yourself is if they are functional?
For example, are you a designer who needs a large flat space to lay out samples? Or are you someone (like my husband) who requires three computer screens and a laptop to do his job?
Considering these aspects of your day-to-day working life will be the difference between choosing a desk that you love for all of five minutes, and one that lasts you years.
Large campaign-styled desks provide both large amounts of flat space as well as being beautiful to behold. Alternatively, for those with many computers on their desk, consider an l-shaped desk which allows you to place your technology on one side, and frees up space for working and writing on the other.
Source: Interior Secrets, Unknown, West Elm
Tip 3: Position your desk correctly.
It seems like every second brochure image of a beautiful home office has a desk sitting in the middle of the room, with a majestic window behind it or in front of it. It’s gorgeous isn’t it?
Unfortunately, the real question is, is it functional?
Well the answer depends in no small part on which direction your window faces, and whereabouts in the world you live. For example, here in Australia, a window facing north is a window that receives a LOT of light and heat. While that can be nice in short bursts, the reality is that the glare is going to quickly force you to move somewhere else in the home. This is true if you are facing the window or have it behind you, beaming onto your computer screen.
A more functional alternative is to place your desk at right angles to the window. This gives you the opportunity to look out when you need a moment of inspiration, but reduces glare, and - depending on where you live - might also reduce the chance of being spied on by your neighbours!
If you are determined to have a spot near the window to sit, then perhaps consider a bench seat near the window (even better if it contains hidden storage but we will get to that). Alternatively, if you have the room, set up a small table and chair for when you need a ‘breakout space’.
Tip 4: Storage is king.
You can never have enough storage, or so the saying goes. When it comes to your home office, this could not be any truer.
Depending on the size of your home office, and the type of work you do, you may need to consider a variety of options. Whatever you do though, don’t underestimate how much storage you will need, now and in the future.
Storage might be for books, papers, folders, samples or… well anything really.
If you have the space, and budget, then consider built-in cabinetry with partial doors to hide some of your work-related items. If the budget doesn’t stretch that far, then bookcases from Ikea or other discount stores can still be jazzed up with the use of trays and baskets to hide some of the clutter.
Consider also low-rise shelves or tall, thin shelving units that can be turned on their sides. Place some soft cushions on top and you have both shelving and a place to sit.
For those with limited floor space, get creative. Add in vertical shelving or invest in desks with returns.
Source: Early Settler, Muuto.
Tip 5: Decorate like a boss!
One of the things I most like about the home office is that it is still a room that can be shut away from general traffic and prying eyes. In other words, the humble home office is a space in which you can really unleash your inner designer.
Love that old Hollywood Glam look? Then why not indulge it in your home office? Team velvet seating with gold trims, soft fluffy rugs, bold art and walls painted in either your favourite jewel-colour or with a beautiful wallpaper.
Looking to turn your work space into a calm and relaxed room in which to feel inspired and uplifted? Then muted sage walls or furnishings, teamed with lashings of lighter-coloured timbers, and some jute or neutral rugs and flooring choices are the way to go.
Crazy about Hamptons? Then how about white timber furniture for your desk and shelvings, with simple but classical decorations in blues and greens.
The options are endless.
Have fun when it comes to decorating your home office. Given the increasing importance of this room, not just to the home, but our lives, it is essential that you create a space that is perfect for you and your needs. Don’t hold back!
Sources: Willa Arla Interiors; Unknown; The Decor Diet; Wayfair; Kathryn Packard; Unknown
Tip 6: Bring the outdoors indoor.
Regardless of your decorating preferences, bringing some greenery into your home office is a must. Spending hours removed from nature is not good for the soul and can be so easily fixed with a trip to your local garden nursery!
Ask for their indoor plants section. If you are like me (not a green thumb) then make sure to choose only easy-to-care for options. However, for those better schooled in the ways of keeping plants alive, maybe something requiring a little more attention would provide a great opportunity to stop what you are doing a few times a day and check on the plant.
Happy working!
If you need any help with decorating your home office (or any other part of your home), then make sure to book in for a FREE 15 Minute Discovery Call.
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