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.
Windows are one of the most essential elements in any home—yet they’re often the most overlooked. Gone are the days when windows served a purely functional role. Today, they do so much more than provide natural light and fresh air—they enhance energy efficiency, connect us to the outdoors, and contribute significantly to a room’s overall design and mood.
Whether open or closed, windows allow us to enjoy nature from the comfort of home. But their impact doesn’t stop there. With the right window treatments, you can transform the feel of a space, improve insulation, increase privacy, and even boost the value of your home.
In this blog, we’ll explore what window treatments are, the various styles available, and how they can bring both beauty and benefits to your living space—for you, your family, and your home.
Walker WoodworkingWithout a doubt, the most significant statement piece in a bathroom is the vanity, as it is usually the first thing the eye sees. Floating vanities have become increasingly popular, particularly with minimalist, clean, and modern aesthetics. This blog will explore what they are, what designs complement floating vanities best, and the benefits this style can bring to your bathroom.
Granite, Quartz, Marble, or Quartzite?
These are the top contenders when it comes to selecting the perfect countertop material for your kitchen or bathroom. Each one brings its own strengths, aesthetic appeal, and practical considerations—making the decision both exciting and a bit overwhelming.
Granite is a natural stone known for its durability and unique, one-of-a-kind patterns. Quartz, on the other hand, is an engineered surface that offers a wide range of color options and is prized for its low-maintenance qualities. Marble stands out for its timeless elegance and heat resistance, though it requires more upkeep. Quartzite closely resembles marble in appearance but offers greater durability and easier maintenance.
When making your selection, it’s important to consider factors such as heat and stain resistance, ease of maintenance, and of course, budget. Below, we break down the key differences, pros, and cons of each material to help you determine which surface best suits your lifestyle, design vision, and practical needs.
The kitchen pantry is often one of the most underutilized yet high-potential spaces in the home. While it can easily become a catch-all for clutter, a well-designed pantry is a true hidden gem—capable of transforming the functionality of your kitchen. From storing oversized serving pieces to housing everyday essentials, a thoughtfully planned pantry helps keep countertops clear and mealtime prep more efficient.
Whether you have a compact pull-out pantry, a spacious walk-in, or a dedicated butler’s pantry, innovative organization is key. A well-designed pantry not only maximizes storage but also supports the flow of your kitchen. Below, we’re sharing a few of our favorite design ideas and practical tips to help you better utilize your pantry space—and maybe even inspire your next kitchen upgrade.
Our showroom’s grand opening was the culmination of two years filled with vision, planning, and hard work—a dream brought to life through dedication and passion. Now, as we prepare to celebrate our second anniversary, we find ourselves reflecting on how quickly time has passed. It feels like only yesterday that we opened our doors and welcomed our very first clients into the space we’ve come to love so much.
Join us as we take a walk down memory lane and revisit the milestones, challenges, and moments that brought us to Uptown Shelby. This anniversary isn’t just a celebration of time—it’s a celebration of growth, community, and the relationships we’ve built along the way.
