Paint & Design Ideas for Home Offices

There are many ways to design a home office.

A home office can be beneficial and also annoying. It is nice to have a special place to work at home while away from the office, or even to eliminate the office altogether. However, a home office is hard to separate from your home life. If you organize and design the office to work for you, there should be no problems with the use of a home office.

Colors

The colors you choose for your home office should be conducive to the kind of work you do there and what helps you feel productive and happy while you work. Cool colors typically help reduce stress, while warm colors can help you feel energized and productive. You can also stick to neutrals for an emotionless room. Neutrals are best for rooms where colors need a neutral pallet, such as for design and photography.

Textures

The textures inside a home office can change the appearance of a room as well. All smooth textures present a modern and sterile feel. A variety of textures, including wood and other natural materials, can make the office feel old-fashioned. Both feelings can work well for a modern office, provided the actual work you do in the office is not distracted by the presence or lack of texture in the room. Wood and other natural textures work well in conjunction with computers and other man-made textures.

Organization

Proper organization is essential in any office space. There should be a clear place for everything that is easy to reach from any part of the office. All of the tools you use regularly should be available on or next to your desk. The other walls in the room can hold shelves, cabinets and work spaces that you use for other tasks. Place objects that you use the least on the wall furthest away from your main workspace. Put everything back in its place immediately after using to avoid a build-up of clutter.

Arrangement

How the office is arranged can change the feel of the office as well. When you walk into the room, the desk or the most attractive item in the room should be visible. Placing a desk near a large window offers a nice break from staring at a computer screen. Arrange other items in the room around the desk. Use decorative art and mirrors to break up a utilitarian feel to the office. Fill a bookshelf with books relevant to your profession to complete the look.

References

• Houzz: Home Office Design
• This Old House; Home Office Basics; Sallie Brady