Home Decor: Don’t Forget Your Home Office!

With an increasing number of people telecommuting and running home businesses, the home office has become ubiquitous. But when it comes to home improvement and home decor, people often overlook their home offices – even if they spend eight hours a day there.

If you’re ready to give your home office a makeover, or if you’re in the process of converting one of your rooms into a home office, here are some elements to take into consideration when designing your home improvement plan.

Your Desk

Your desk may be your workstation, but that doesn’t mean you have to forego style. Forget the industrial look of a metal desk, and instead opt for furniture that is an extension of your home decor. You might love the richness of beautiful cherry wood, or you may like the minimalism and futuristic style of glass.

If your home office is in a room that does double duty – for example, as a guest bedroom – you may want an all-in-one set that more closely resembles an armoire. On the other hand, if your home office is your primary place of business, you may need something larger, such as a corner desk with a center computer station and work surfaces to either side.

Your Chair

Embrace both comfort and style when selecting a chair for your home office. If the room is fairly large and you select a cherry or walnut desk, for example, a leather executive chair might be a nice touch. If you don’t have a lot of room, you may want to try an ergonomic kneeling chair. A wooden chair with back slats and a leather seat builds a bridge between functionality and interior home decor, or you can opt for the latest trend in office chairs – a chair with a frameless back that shapes itself to your body.

Storage

The amount and type of storage space you will need depends upon how you utilize your home office. If you primarily use the space for Web browsing and paying bills, you won’t need advanced storage solutions. However, if your home office is your primary place of business, you may need the equivalent of drawers, cabinets, and bookshelves. Again, keep in mind that this room doesn’t need to replicate a place of business; the goal is to integrate the space with the rest of your interior home decor. For example, if you need a file cabinet but don’t have to access it everyday, you can drape a piece of fabric over it, much as you would an end table. Or, you can opt to buy a cart that features wicker file bins, which provides all the functionality you need without sacrificing style.

Personal Touches

Be sure to incorporate personal touches into your home office. A beautiful shade of paint, framed family photos, a small indoor fountain, and creative lighting can make it a pleasure to work from home. When designing your home improvement plan, be sure to create a home office that features colors, fabrics, and objects that make your heart soar.