Home offices are necessary today, especially since Covid packed up corporate spaces into homes. Covid also brought long-postponed passion projects to the limelight for many professionals, and they have continued to work on them in their free time.
So, whether you work remotely full-time or pursue a side hustle from home after your 9 to 5, your home office is where you’ll be chasing your goals. And what should be the goal of your home office design? To balance form with function. The ideal home office is where determination meets design and productivity meets panache!
In this blog, we will help you achieve this goal and design your home office with perfection that boosts productivity. Our designers at ali & shea will hand-hold you through the project with decor tips and home office design inspiration.
Let’s get down to business!
Why Is a Home Office a Must-Have?
Home offices are not just important because they are a trending decor essential in recent times. They have gained importance and the present stature as a necessity in every home because of lifestyle and functional requirements.
So, before delving into the ideas for home office design, let us explore what makes home offices a must-have in the post-pandemic world:
Privacy & Professionalism: It's important to make sure that informal conversations don't interrupt your work or distract you. If you're working in open spaces like the living room or kitchen, kids or pets might accidentally disrupt your work calls, which can make you seem unprofessional. They might not realize you're working because, to them, you're still at home and available. That's why it's a good idea to have a special area that lets them know not to bother you when you're in your office.
Work-Life Balance: Your workspace should also clearly demarcate a boundary between the personal sphere of the home and your professional life. Otherwise, both getting your work done or relaxing after a long workday will become challenging. Even within your home, you need to physically leave behind over-the-meal chit-chats before work and professional stress after work to allow yourself to mentally fuel up or wind down.
Time Management: If you work in a ‘roaming office,' you will inevitably lose your papers or stationery items like pens and staplers. You must search all the spots throughout your home where you have set up your makeshift office every time you look for that file or pen. This not only wastes your time but can also be quite frustrating, making it difficult to work efficiently.
Home Is Where the Heart Is, But Home Office Is Where the Mind Is: Choosing the Perfect Workspot for Your Home Office
Your home office should be in one of the quieter spots of your house where the household hubbubs do not interfere with your hustle sessions.
So, where do you go? Well, there are multiple home office design layout ideas suitable for different areas of your homes!
If you have a sparsely used guest bedroom, that’s your best spot. You can have ample space and the entire room to yourself. You can also consider your basement, attic, or loft space, if any, for your home office.
If none are an option, you can always incorporate small home office design ideas within nifty nooks, like the quiet corner of your bedroom, a stair landing space, or a bay window that has enough room for a table and chair..
If you want to enhance your privacy and have something more like a ‘room,’ you can be clever with your small home office design layout by including foldable screens or floor-to-ceiling curtains to separate your office area from the rest of the space.
For Brilliance, You Need Brightness: Maximize Light in Your Home Office
Does the mid-afternoon slump get you every day? Blame the lights! Bright light helps you focus and stay active while bad lighting not just drains your energy as you squint at screens but also proves to be detrimental to your eyes in the long run.
Leverage natural light during the day because it fosters a stimulating environment and keeps your brain active while also reducing your energy bills. Position your desk near windows, but beware of glare. You can effectively cut off screen glares by opting for sheer curtains that filter in diffused light.
Next, focus on the artificial sources of light. Use blue light that mimics daylight instead of honey-hued lights. Strike a balance between ambient lighting and focused lighting with task lights and table lamps.
Lastly, if you have a dark room or corner, try to employ simple hacks to brighten the space, like placing a glass on your desktop, adding a mirror strategically to reflect light, choosing a light color palette, or even using pocket-friendly white wallpaper that’s easy to install.
Decluttering is the New Decorating: Prioritize Storage & Shelving
If you find yourself rummaging through a mess every time you need something, you must be having a cluttered and disorganized space. And if your work table overwhelms the eyes, it is bad for productivity. You should be busy, but not your workspace. Word to the wise — embrace minimalism!
A minimalist workspace removes any excess, eliminating distractions and leaving only the essentials. By removing visual clutter, such as stacks of papers and knick-knacks, the focus shifts to the work at hand. Invest in a desk organizer to store your stationery. If wires are tangling up all over your space, get a good cable management system to keep them in check.
Adding open shelves or wall-mounted storage units is highly recommended if you can make structural changes. Beyond functionality, adding shelves offers a chance to showcase your personality. Mix practicality and aesthetics by selecting shelves that house books and supplies and display art, plants, and keepsakes that inspire you.
The minimalist approach is not just limited to the physical space; it is a shift in mindset that helps you prioritize what is necessary. This gives you clarity at work, which helps you boost your productivity. Therefore, when choosing a decor style for your workspace, always use minimalism or cleaner decor styles like modern farmhouse or Scandinavian.
Poised Palette: Choose Clean & Bright Neutral Colors
Opting for a neutral palette is a wise and versatile decision when choosing colors for your office. Neutral colors allow you to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing workspace with adaptability and calmness. The visual simplicity of such a palette can enhance your ability to focus, think creatively, and maintain a clear mind.
Neutral colors are decor chameleons; they serve as a plain canvas where you can add pops of color or incorporate different textures and patterns without clashing or overwhelming the space. These colors also evoke a sense of professionalism and sophistication. They lend a timeless elegance to your home office, creating a polished and refined environment.
Choosing neutral colors also has practical benefits. Lighter shades make a smaller space appear more spacious and brighten a dark space. On the contrary, darker neutrals can add a sense of coziness to a larger room. Additionally, neutral colors are less likely to induce visual fatigue over extended work periods, ensuring a comfortable and ergonomic atmosphere.
Whispering Warmth: Don’t Hesitate in Adding Cozy
Touches
While working from bed or couches is a no-go, that doesn’t mean you should delineate your space completely from warmth and coziness. Adding comforting elements to your office can create a soothing and inviting atmosphere that enhances overall productivity and well-being.
Some of the additions that can make your workspace more welcoming and calming to help you sustain yourself through long work days are:
Comfy Cushions
Opt for plush cushions or pillows for your desk chair that provide a comfortable and supportive seating experience. A soft and luxurious throw blanket draped over the back of your chair adds warmth and can be easily accessed for those chilly moments when you need a little extra coziness.
Also, you should invest in a good ergonomic chair that helps your posture, lets you sit comfortably through long work hours, and prevents backache and spine problems.
Gentle Greens
Introduce natural elements to your office space to infuse it with tranquility. Consider placing a small potted plant on your desk or nearby shelves, bringing a touch of greenery and life to your surroundings.
Not only do plants add visual appeal, but they also help improve air quality and create a calming ambiance. As the trend goes, house plants are the new pets, and they can keep you company throughout the work hours.
Soothing Scents
Don't forget about the power of scent. Consider using a subtle and soothing aroma diffuser or scented candles in your workspace. Fragrances like lavender, vanilla, or chamomile can promote relaxation and a sense of calmness, making your office feel like a serene sanctuary.
Office Treasure Chest: Indulge in Decorative Items for Your Home Office
Once your office's overall design is complete, the small finishing touches breathe life into the space. To wrap up this project with finesse, here are a few last-minute decor suggestions:
Artistic Accents
Eye-catching art pieces and statement paintings can truly change the look of a space. It adds that certain je ne sais quoi that infuses your office with creativity and sophistication. You can hand foldable room divider screens to your walls to create an accent wall that looks like a unique feature.
Literary Landscape
Books are good for polishing your knowledge and double up as excellent decor pieces. Displaying a curated collection of books adds visual interest and creates an intellectual and inspiring environment. Arrange your books on stylish shelves or use decorative bookends to create an organized and visually appealing display.
Conclusion: Time to Retire from Work!
We hope this blog has boosted your confidence with enough knowledge to start setting up your home office.
However, we understand that you might still hesitate to take a stab at this because you want your home office to be perfect — a space where everyone can appreciate the curated decor before getting down to business. If such is your goal, ali & shea will lead you there.
Take the first step towards creating a home office that exudes sophistication and comfort. Contact ali & shea today and let our experts craft a home office space to inspire you daily. Furthermore, for professionals aiming to upgrade their workspaces, we offer our specialized services in crafting custom commercial office interiors.
FAQs
How do I make my home office space productive?
To create a productive home office space, choose a quiet, well-lit area, set up ergonomic furniture, keep it organized, personalize with inspiring elements, and establish a focused routine.
How can I decorate my small office?
Decorate your small home office by utilizing light colors to create an open feel, incorporating multifunctional furniture, adding mirrors for visual expansion, using vertical space with shelves and wall organizers, embracing minimalism to reduce clutter, and infusing your personality through small decorative touches.
What not to do for a home office?
Avoid neglecting ergonomics, creating a cluttered workspace, placing your home office in a noisy area, ignoring proper lighting, and blurring work-life boundaries in your home office setup.