How to design my home office
Home offices are steadily gaining popularity as technology expands (and we’ve talked about them before). Creating a home office space has its challenges, so you want to approach it thoughtfully. Think about ways to encourage productivity and address your organizational needs. It should look stylish (duh!) and allow flexibility as your work and lifestyle change and grow.
Location, location, location
The first thing you need to determine is the optimal placement of your desk. Consider your need to be close to natural light and what “view” you have when sitting and working. A desk that either faces a window or the rest of the room will give you the best view. If your home office is set up in such a way that you must face a wall, hang artwork or photos that will make you smile and give you a boost during the day.
Philadelphia home office inspiration – Michael Moran via Architectural Digest
Comfortable ambiance
Comfort while working is key. Make sure that you choose a supportive chair and establish an ergonomic layout at your desk; it will keep you from being distracted by discomfort. Even more importantly, it will keep your back and neck happy! It is also important that the colors in your space provide the right atmosphere for you. Some people prefer a clean, white minimalist space, while others want their home office to feel warm and cozy. Choose whatever works best for you and will make you jump out of bed and ready to get to work!
Home office color inspiration via House Beautiful
Light it up
Studies show that people are more productive when their work environment has natural day lighting. It helps you stay energized and feel more awake. Consider window treatments that let light filter into your home office, and position your monitor in such a way that natural light is in front of or to the side of it. This will cut down on glare and eye strain. For times when daylight is scarce, use lamps with shades to diffuse light and avoid casting harsh shadows.
A place for everything
Figuring out your storage and organization needs are key in a home office. (This is especially helpful in keeping “work” from finding its way out into your living areas.) Separate items into two categories, what you need close by and what you can get up to access, then find a place to house these items in a system that works for you. For instance, pens, a stapler, and post-it notes are easily corralled in a desktop organizer, and vertical files keep important paperwork close by. Copy paper, receipts, and archived files can be stored in a file cabinet or neat boxes on a bookshelf. The Container Store has great organizational products for the office!
Home office inspiration – The Container Store
Header Image via MyDomaine
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Glenna Stone Interior Design is an award-winning residential and commercial Philadelphia interior designer creating spaces that are a harmonious marriage of beauty, function, and lifestyle. Whether for a home, vacation retreat, or place of business, our goal is to design statement surroundings that express who you are. We encourage you to visit our website, view our work, and keep up with the latest interior design concepts on our blog.
