Creating the Perfect Home Office
Whether you are paying bills, planning your next trip, or running a large corporation, your home office is a space that deserves attention and thought. Creating a place that inspires you and is designed to help you stay on task is important so here are a few things to consider as you design the perfect home office.
This credenza by Darran is a great example of stylish storage for a home office. With both open and closed shelving, this piece gives you versatile storage options while adding a designer touch to your home office.
office location
Working from home comes with its distractions especially if you have a family, so choosing the right room for your office is important. A home with a dedicated den or office space is the best option, but if you are converting a room, pick the one farthest away from the kitchen or great room. If this is going to be your main office location it might be a good idea to invest in some heavier doors to block sound especially if you will be meeting clients at your home or spend time on the phone.
lighting options
Natural light is an important part of a home office so choose a room with a window if possible. The ideal space will also have some kind of plesant view. To reduce eye strain while working on a computer, you should look away from your computer once every 20 minutes and having a window will help you remember to take a break. If you are worried about glare, configure your desk so the back of the computer is facing the windows or add translucent shades or blinds to help without darkening your room. You can enhance natural light by adding a mirror and painting the walls a light color. Add an overhead light for general lighting and find a good desk lamp to provide shadow-free task lighting. If you don’t have a view, position your desk to face the door or place artwork or an inspiration board above your desk. Both will give your eyes something to focus on when you take a break from the screen.
Moda chairs from Global Furniture Group is a fashion-forward seating series designed by Sava Cvek that is perfect for a smaller home office. The polished aluminum frame can be customized with a mix of leg finishes to match your décor.
unsightly cords
Office technology comes with a plethora of cords and makes your space look cluttered. When setting up a home office choose wireless technology when possible. This allows you to place items close to the outlets to hide power cords since you won’t be worried about connecting them to your computer. Use a wireless mouse to keep your desk space clear. You can also buy cord management systems that will allow you to run your cords along the wall with neutral colored tubing. Hide cords under your desk by simply zip tying them together and then attaching them to the underside of your desk with a staple gun or with CommandTM hooks.
plan it out
It’s important to create a furniture layout for your office before you buy your furniture. Knowing how you would like the space to flow will help you during the design process and will make the whole experience more enjoyable. Creating an optimal layout can be a little tricky so we are here to help. We can take measurements of your space and will work with you to design an overhead view of your potential layout based on your room size and office needs.
select a desk
As we said in our previous article, we love standing desks as they create a healthier home office. (Visit www.yhmagazine.com or pick up a May issue to read our article on healthy desks and chairs.) Once you have measured your room you will have a better idea of what to look for. A desk that’s too large will make your office look small and limit the amount of space available for seating and storage. Next, choose your color theme and style. There are so many options, so we can help you select the right manufacturer and type based on the style you like. Mid-century modern and industrial-chic are two popular styles right now.
storage options
An issue with home offices can be a lack of storage. Since these spaces often double as a homework room or a craft area, make sure you have closed storage options to hide the items that don’t add to your design theme. Secure storage to keep private documents safe is also a good idea. Most decent filing cabinets will come with a locking system but you might want to invest in a fireproof safe for the most important documents. When you are configuring your storage, consider your workflow. Place your inbox and current work within arm’s reach. Keep your filing system nearby and don’t forget about frequently used manuals, catalogs or reference books. Hang shelves near your desk so you can easily access important books or folders.
With over 30 years of experience in the office furniture business, Office Furniture Exchange specializes in all your office furniture needs. From budget-friendly to high-end, we are able to provide you the personalized attention and advice as you look for an office furniture solution.
5737 Shirley Street Naples, FL 34109 | erick@ofexnaples.com | 239.594.8559