Create A Space That Works For You
Home office design and organization hacks that will change the work-from-home game.
Your home office is a dedicated workspace, but that doesn’t mean that it should feel like work to keep it feeling organized and stylish. In fact, your home office should be working for you, not the other way around.
As an interior designer, I see a lot of home offices that just don’t cut it when it comes to functionality or style! I love helping my clients create productive spaces that look as good as they feel and function. Here are the three most critical components of any home office design, and my hacks for each:
Spatial Layout
Believe it or not, the success of your home office begins before you’ve even put a desk in the space. Do not skip the spatial planning phase! Your space can only work for you if you’ve made sure you know what you’re working with!
Pro Hack #1: Think about the windows
Everybody loves natural light… except your webcam. So think carefully about how you will place and angle your desk. If you take a lot of virtual meetings, you do not want the window behind you or you will be backlit (not a good look)!
Another important thing to consider if you have windows in your home office is noise. Are you facing a street with traffic? Near a school with kids shouting during the day? Your productivity could suffer if you’re constantly dealing with unwanted noise, so I would suggest opting for window treatments that can reduce outside sound. Contact me to learn more about noise reducing window treatment options!
Pro Hack #2: Take stock of your outlets
Trust me on this one. Your outlets should play a role in determining the spatial layout of your office. This space will probably have a lot of devices, which means a lot of cords, which means you need a power source (or several). Don’t fall into the trap of planning your entire office layout and getting everything into place, only to realize that your computer charger can’t reach the wall.
Pro Hack #3: Leave open pathways
It is really popular to have beautiful millwork in your office, like the open shelving I designed in the photo above! I absolutely love this look, but it’s important to think about what you’re storing where. If your kids can’t get to the printer paper without ducking behind you in a Zoom meeting, that’s going to get old. Or if you can’t get to the paper shredder without squeezing past your husband’s desk, paper will start piling up and driving you nuts.
If you’re not sure how much clearance is recommended around your office furniture, let’s set up a 1-hour consultation! I can help you get a better understanding of how to make the most of your square footage.
2. Furniture & Design
Once you’ve planned the spatial layout of your office, you’re ready to buy furniture because you know about how big everything can be! Here are my top tips for picking office furniture that will get the job done.
Pro Hack #4: Know where your storage is coming from
If you don’t have built-ins in your home office (or even if you do), it is important to strategize storage before picking any of your key furniture pieces. I love a sleek, minimalist desk as much as the next girl. But if that’s your thing, you will need to account for bookshelves, filing cabinets, or a console that can take on the brunt of your storage needs.
I recommend a healthy mix of displayed storage and enclosed storage, so that you can show off your extensive book collection… but hide all the ugly highlighters, chargers, and junk.
Pro Hack #5: Set the scene with a nice background
In the new work-from-home landscape, a clean but stylish Zoom background is one of the most sought after elements of any home office design! Some of my favorite ideas include:
A simple gallery wall 4-5 large pieces of art in coordinating colors.
Custom millwork with colorful shelf styling.
Subtle patterned wallpaper.
Avoid having windows or mirrors on the wall behind you in Zoom calls!
Pro Hack #6: Organizers are your friends
Desktop organizers. In-drawer organizers. Cord organizers. Files. There are so many organizational solutions out there! If you ever spend more than 4 minutes looking for something when you know “where” it is, that’s a sign that you need some sort of organizer or accessory to solve the problem!
Pro Hack #7: Function over fashion (Ideally, both!)
As an interior designer, this hack almost feels blasphemous to say, but it must be said. When it really comes down to it, always choose function over fashion in your home office. You might love that super cute office chair, but if it is not going to support your back and keep you comfortable day after day, it’s not worth it. Not even the most gorgeous desk is worth it if it doesn’t have room for all of your essentials. Luckily, there are some stunning options for ultra-functional office furniture and decor! So reach out if you want access to some of my favorite sources.
