Life, Styled
What was once just space to check your email quickly or jot down your to-do list, the home office is now essential for many who work from home. This shift from the nice bonus feature to the necessary has caused many homeowners to reevaluate their current condition, with many finding it lacking. Productivity and efficiency are linked to a functional space that gives you exactly what you need to get the job done. Here we share some tips on designing the perfect office away from the office.
Location
The location of your home office is determined by several factors, including your personal preferences, work style, and requirements.
- Do you like to work alone in absolute quiet?
- Do you prefer being near your family if the children need you?
- Do you enjoy an office with a view because it helps your creativity flow?
- Do you require a large area for your current projects?
- Do you need a location that allows you to take calls easily?
These are essential questions to answer as they will help you decide the best place for your office. The basement, spare bedroom on the main floor, bonus loft area, or renovated attic are great options. Be sure to talk with your designer about your office’s specific needs.
Function
Staying inspired to work can sometimes be difficult when you are at home and accustomed to the comforts of your work office. Organization is key to any task, especially when you are working from home. When designing your space, here are some ways to make it a functional and inspiring area.
- Keep it clean: A cluttered desktop can hinder performance because you can’t find anything. Consider having only the essentials, such as your computer, writing utensils, and a current project, on your desk. By hanging a grid on one wall, you can keep some additional supplies like extra papers, work notes, and tacks near but not on your desk.
- Think about your routine: Consider when and how you complete your tasks. Are there certain things you do every morning before moving on to your afternoon routine? Perhaps once you have finished your morning routine, you can put those things away and pull out the necessary items for your afternoon tasks.
- Place things together: When things that belong together stay together, it makes it easier to find and utilize them. Writing items such as paper, pens, highlighters, and paper clips should be kept in a separate bin. Supplies like tape, staples, tacks, and envelopes fit together nicely. Consider adding a shelf with decorative baskets or boxes to help everything have a place.
Your home office is meant to be tailored to fit your unique needs and specifications. When planning for this space, be sure to consider all the tasks you will need to accomplish.
Design Tips
Now that you have chosen the location and functionality for your office space, it is time to start thinking about some of the fun items, the selection of what will make your office yours. It is important that your space reflects your personality, but here are a few things we believe are essential to having a great home office.
- Chair: An office would not be complete without one, yet a person can’t concentrate if they are uncomfortable, which is why you need to find an office chair that works for you. Whether it rolls, has a straight back, or has an extra cushion, it needs to say you, making it easy to go the distance in your work.
- Color: This can have a direct effect on your mood. The color of your office is your choice. Some need a bright space with happy colors like yellow, while others prefer calm colors that help reduce stress, such as blue and green.
- Natural light: This is an essential element for many reasons. Artificial light can only mimic a few of the elements of natural light, which can have negative effects on the mood. Adding some natural light to the room can help boost your health in several ways, so be sure to include it in your design.
- Decor: Be sure to include pictures that mean something to you and art that simulates nature. Blues and greens can help relax the eyes after staring at a screen all day.
Be sure to have a list of things that are important to you written down or even some inspirational pictures ready to show your designer so they can help you find exactly what you need to create that dream office.
Greenbrook DesignColor is always a fun element in design, one that can affect the mood or change the style of the room. Each company’s choice is beautiful and offers a variety of options for everyone. Don’t be afraid to try something new, you never know, but you may like it so much it will become the new favorite in your home.
Walker WoodworkingA new year means new opportunities to accomplish what’s been on your to-do list, including that home renovation. As we prepare to move into the new year, let’s discuss some of the design trends that are being predicted by those in the interior design world.
The right light can do much more than just illuminate a room. It can create a more inviting atmosphere in the room and give the illusion of a larger space. When selecting lighting for your home, there are multiple factors to keep in mind, such as size, amount, and placement. Since it is an essential part of designing an area, we thought it would be helpful to share five key considerations when selecting your lighting.
Walker WoodworkingOne of the main questions asked during the design meeting is what color the owners want for their kitchen cabinets. Were they looking to do a natural wood or a color instead? While many will opt to do the wood, many enjoy adding a splash of color to their kitchen or mixing and matching. It is a great way to break up the area and create a focal point, but with so many options available, how do you know which one is right for you? While it is up to you in the end, there are three colors that have stood out for some time and will most likely continue to do so. White, gray, and blue remain high on the selection chart, so let’s talk about these popular colors and why they may be the right fit for you.
Walker WoodworkingWhile the kitchen was often viewed as the place where food was merely prepped and served, it has transitioned into a command center as people gather to talk or enjoy a snack while getting some work done. Layouts have slowly shifted to accommodate this change, which has produced the open concept. This floor plan allows families to stay connected even when they are doing things in different areas of the home. While not as popular as it was in the 1990s and early 2000s, many families still choose this floor plan because of their desire to stay close to their family and guests. Today, we want to discuss the open floor concept, the elements that make it up, and if it is the right fit for your family.
