Everyone has a different set of needs for their work space, so many design ideas are by no means one-size-fits-all. However, that doesn’t mean that creating the perfect office space is impossible, far from it.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of creating a space that will allow you to work from home, look no further. This list of suggestions will help you create a home office that is equally functional as inviting.
Photo: Pinterest
Create Focus Areas
Choose an isolated spot for your office. Put your home office as far away as you can from your home's social areas — family room, kitchen etc. It may sound like a no-brainier, but sometimes we want to be in the center of the action and think we can still get work done. Sure, you may think you're an expert at working, carrying a conversation and watching TV all at the same time, but the truth is you're not working efficiently.
When you can't hear or see conversations and activity, your mind won't divert its active capacity to listening or looking — and you'll work better.
As you envision the design for your office, make sure to take into consideration all of the activities you’ll complete in the space. More than likely, you’ll need to incorporate a desk to use while tackling paperwork. But to complete a wide variety of tasks, separate focus areas can be useful.
In addition to your main work space, think about incorporating an additional seating area for holding discussions or meetings. Alternatively, if there are multiple family members who need to share the space, keep things organized by giving each person an individual place to work from.
Photo: Zillow
Incorporate Storage
Keeping an office organized can be a struggle for many. Especially, if you’re someone who has a tendency to become buried under an unruly desk, so it’s crucial to incorporate plenty of storage solutions into your design. You can use floating shelves for extra storage.
Floating shelves are inexpensive and easy to install with hidden shelf brackets. The brackets allow for the shelves to really hold all that you need them to without the worry of the shelf faltering under the weight of your items. Plus, they give you an opportunity to display the things you care about. Floating shelves are also an excellent alternative to a bulky bookcase when space is at a premium.
If you have the space available, cabinets or built-ins are ideal for storing larger items. Open shelving is an easy way to mix functional items and decor elements as well. While floating shelves are great if you only have a few things to display, sometimes you need a lot of storage. Bookcases with baskets allow for great amount of storage and visual appeal.
Photo: Interiors By Color
Choose A Soothing Color Scheme
One of the fundamental insights of color theory is that the colors that are chosen to decorate a space can have a strong impact on our moods. Blue, for example, is often interpreted as soothing, whereas yellow has been shown to elicit anxiety.
Since an office space is a place that you want to be able to stay focused, it can be useful to set big punches of color — and the emotional responses they bring — aside. Instead, focus on choosing a largely neutral color palette that will allow you to put the bulk of your attention on the task at hand. Add serenity to what may be a frantic office. Choose neutral colors such as beige, gray, and blue as your primary colors. You can accent with bolder colors that make you feel energized and ready to work.
Photo: Teanme
Use Personal Accents
As much as it’s important to be able to focus within your office, it’s also important to create a space in which you’ll be happy spending time.
Don’t sacrifice on style! The great part about working from home is that YOU can decide how you want your home office to look and feel. Match your home office with the design and style of your home. Think about what inspires you. It could be a favorite piece of artwork, a collection of objects, or an invigorating paint color. Include these personal touches when you plan your home office design. It will brighten up your day and make you feel… at home.
One of the easiest ways to do this (while still creating a cohesive design) is to allow your personal items to dictate your accent colors. Do your best to match the bold hues in those personal items and incorporate them sparingly throughout the room. Think about walls as well. Printed wall sayings add a touch of elegance as well.
Photo: Indyweb
Bring The Outside In
Research shows that the presence of natural light in professional spaces has an overwhelmingly positive impact on employee productivity and morale. It only makes sense that these concepts would easily translate to the home office environment as well, so find a way to incorporate the outdoors.
Whenever possible, make windows an integral part of your design. Think about aligning your desk below the windowsill and choosing non-intrusive blinds. Additionally, don’t hesitate to include other natural elements into your design. Fresh greenery will add color to the space and boost your mood. Keep the shades open and, if you can, let in fresh air. If you can’t see anything natural out of your window, keep pictures of the natural world as your screensaver and/or desktop wallpaper. Put plants in your office – research shows that having live plants in your office makes you more productive, happier and less stressed.
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