Get this – personal home office spaces are often the most neglected parts of a home; and that shouldn’t be so! It’s where you spend the most time and need the most inspiration. Also, it’s one space in the home you can really make your own. As the seasons shift to focusing on the kids going back to school and routines seep back into our busy, scattered lives – it’s time to get focused with a new and improved office space.
First things first, consider your office location in your home. Where would you like your home office to live inside your place? Consider if you like a lot of traffic where you’re stationed in your office or if you like a quiet, secluded space. If your home has a spot with a lot of hustle (i.e. kids grabbing snacks and playing with toys, or the television buzzing in the background) make sure you like the hustle, too. Maybe your home office needs to be tucked away in a quiet room upstairs instead. Location is always key! Now that you have an ideal spot in mind, it’s time to kick off the office interior decorating inspiration.
Here’s a handy list of home office tips to make the space your own:
SPLASH THE PLACE WITH COLOR
An office is all about aesthetic, so make sure you paint your area with a color that gives you energy and good vibes (Writer’s Note: I’m team no-more-office-beige. However, if neutral colors are your thing – go for it!). Know this – it’s scientifically proven that colors can change your mood. So, spend some time picking out paint swatches. Also, wallpaper is back! I know it may sound silly, but there are a lot of innovative new options that are design-eccentric for your walls. She She, for example, is a great local company if you’re looking for a unique look. Quick tip: always test paint over all the walls before committing to a color. Paint can look a lot darker and different from how you see it in the store. Also, the lighting in the room may change things a bit too.
MAKE YOUR HOME OFFICE MORE HOMEY
Home offices should motivate you, but they should also be cozy. You do spend a lot of time in there! Interior decorating is all about mixing it up, anyway. Hang beautiful prints on the wall. Find sayings you like that resonate with your work ethic. Buy some trendy notepads and stylish pen holders. Studio On Fire is a great spot to get personalized prints. If you respect the space and things living around you, you’ll respect the work. Quick tip: don’t make it too comfortable. Natural wood, throw pillows, a yarn wall, or a vintage chandelier will keep it just the right bit of homey-chic. Quick tip: mix the old and the new to add a really cool element to the space (think vintage books with an updated photo frame or vintage chandelier with modern office chair).
HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL ORGANIZATION WINS
This is how you can use the space efficiently, especially since home offices typically aren’t the size of the kitchen, and your home’s design needs to be functional. If you’re team “no piles”, just like us, organizing things vertically and horizontally will make the space seem less cluttered. Also, it will help your brain and productivity in the long run. Buy chic file holders or drawers and designate one of them as your “to-do” file. That way, if things get a little unorganized, at least it’s contained. Quick tip: Don’t resist using the walls for storage, instead of the ground or under the desk. This rose gold wall grid is a perfect addition.
LET THE LIGHT IN
Great home design is all about good lighting. Natural light feeds inspiration and keeps you awake, so make sure there’s a lot of both. Quality lighting also prevents eye-stress and headaches! Position your computer so there’s no glare from the window and if you don’t have too much light coming in, invest in a salt lamp or happy lamp. It will also be helpful to find a great statement lamp. We love this one.
INVEST IN A ‘SMALL SPACE’ DESK
You don’t want to sacrifice the open space in your office (assuming your office is on the smaller side), so manageable space desks are often a great option. Also, don’t be afraid to position the desk in the middle of the room! It gives you more space and helps minimize clutter. All glass desks are absolutely jaw dropping as well. Since they’re clear, those really open up the room.
GET ARCHITECTURAL ABOUT IT
You don’t have to be a successful architect to snap up their interior decorating habits. Take it from them – beautiful spaces are minimal and tactical. Buy items that have full-functional craftsmanship: a desk you can sketch on, a lamp you can move around and simplistic visuals that will hold you from distractions.
ADD A TOUCH OF GREEN
If you put life into your space, you’ll want to stay longer. It’s that simple. Adding plants into your office is healthy, keeps the air clean and will make you feel more balanced. Quick tip: Snake plants and ZZ plants are great options. They look great and are low maintenance!
GROUND WITH A POP OF COLOR
If you’re nervous to splash the walls with color, a great alternative is a beautiful rug. A multi-colored rug pulls other accent colors in the room together, so this is a great option to center and tie together the space. Quick tip: If you do choose to purchase a rug, be sure to keep the furniture simple, so the rooms stays as chic as ever.
LASTLY, (BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY) BE YOU
You want your personality to shine through this space – because you’re worth it. After all, home design is all about making a space all your own. To do home renovate the way you see it, there’s a simple solution. Add a photo wall! Cool prints, quotes, art you love and family photos can be featured here. Use removable wall strips to put all the art up and arrange them on the ground before going to town. By arranging first, you can get a sense of what you want before committing. Quick tip: Minted is a great spot to start looking for stylish gallery options.
Now, happy creating! Oh, and one more thing. Invest in a nice office chair. You’re going to be sitting in it every day, all day. Click below to schedule an appointment and get your project started now.
