How to Create an Amazingly Simple Home Office Design
Anyone who works at home knows how difficult it is to focus on the job with all the possible distractions of kids, pets, housework, gardening and the TV. Build a better office space with minimal fuss and clutter and you've got a better chance of staying on task. Invest in new furniture and accessories and give yourself a bright, fresh and organized start to your business. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Indoor house paint
- Low-profile, industrial carpet (optional)
- Modular furniture in a neutral color
- Rolling furniture pieces
- Colored files and accessories
- Multifunctional furniture and computer components
- Home accessories
- Comfortable chair
Instructions
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Paint all the walls of your home office the same color. Consider a bright shade such as orange, yellow or deep red to stimulate creativity. If your high stress job requires a more serene background, choose a more moderate color, such as pumpkin or sea green. Choose a color that makes you feel positive and motivated because you'll be spending a lot of time in the room.
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Keep the floors bare wood, tile or a low profile, industrial carpet. These smooth surfaces make it easier to move furniture around as needed, particularly rolling chairs and file cabinets.
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Buy modular furniture in a neutral color. This simply designed furniture is functional and made to fit together to utilize all space. Discount stores carry their own lines, so you don't need to spend a fortune on furniture.
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Select a desk that is the best for your work flow. If you need to spread out a lot of documents or large portfolios, look at conference room tables instead of a traditional desk. Get two different desks if you need one for drafting and one for accounting or try an L-shaped model.
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Look for small furniture pieces on rollers. These rolling file cabinets and computer component holders make it easy to adapt your office to the projects you're working on. Find pieces that will roll under your desk or work table when not in use to keep your main office space clear.
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Arrange furnishings to give yourself plenty of open storage space, particularly over or next to your desk. Open shelves and cubicles make it easy to see and access the files and supplies you need. It's also a psychological way to maintain order because you won't be able to close the cabinet door on a mound of clutter and keep it out of sight.
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Color code your files. Rather than squinting to read all the tiny labels, you'll know instantly that budget files are blue and new client files are red. Desk supplies also come in a range of colors. Use different colors to delineate work areas. Tack up notes on a bulletin board with colored push pins that relate to the subject matter.
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Buy multifunctional items to save space in the home office. Look for combined printer, scanner and fax machines that can fit on one of the rolling furniture pieces. Buy modular units that contain both shelving and drawer space. Select a monitor stand with built-in drawers or space underneath for files. Try magnetic dry-erase boards for both written notes and posted print-outs.
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Add a few colorful accessories, art pieces and collectibles. Putting a personal touch on the room makes it a friendly space you want to work in, rather than a utilitarian and sterile environment you avoid. Place a comfortable chair in the room for when you need time to relax or do some creative thinking. But don't overdo accessories to avoid distractions.
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Tips & Warnings
Repurpose furniture if your budget is tight. Try to use old bookshelves, desks and tables that are square and simple in design, to make them fit together as easily as possible. Small end tables can hold a printer and should still fit under a large desk or conference table.
References
- "O, The Oprah Magazine"; When Your Living Room Is Your Office -- Peter Walsh Clears the Decks; Amanda Robb; March 2010
- Apartment Therapy; A Beautiful, Well-Organized Home Office & Studio; Janel Laban; July 15, 2010
- Apartment Therapy; The Home Office -- Balancing Comfort, Function and Style; Susie Nadler; March 26, 2009
- Good Housekeeping: Home Offices and Work Spaces -- Technology and Equipment
- Photo Credit Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
