Decorate With Intention: Get Your Home Office Right
Decorate With Intention: Get Your Home Office Right
Help personality and productivity team up in a home office for a win-win situation
Remember, the luxury of a home office is that you are at home.
Don't be afraid to forgo typical office furniture in favor of a style
that blends with the rest of your home. A Chippendale-style chair with
armrests and a thick cushion is incredibly chic and almost as
comfortable as a traditional desk chair. And unless you like the look of
a bent-arm task lamp, no one is stopping you from choosing a glam table
lamp with a silk shade instead. Do what makes you happy!
Style notes: In this home office space, floral shades dripping with lush trim set a warm, romantic tone, echoed by the portrait, the floral painting and the bright orange armchair. Glossy black accents ground the arrangement and take the room in an elegant direction. |
• Your chair height should be adjusted so that your feet can be flat on the ground.
• Align your screen with your sight line to avoid eye strain and shoulder stiffness. If you have a laptop, consider putting it on a stand to adjust the height.
• Check the lumbar support of your chair. Add a pillow or get a new chair if you have been experiencing lower back pain.
• Invest in a few cushy pads to keep your wrists elevated as you type and use the mouse, especially if you spend a lot of time at the computer.
Consider adding a pouf.
More than just a fun accessory, a pouf of the appropriate size can be
tucked beneath your desk to use as a footrest. When not needed, you can
pull it out and use it as a mini side table for stacks of books and
magazines.
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Style notes: This workspace feels crisp and clean in all black and white. A rotating display of artwork on floating shelves and a 3-D wire deer sculpture keep it feeling personal and fresh.
Style notes: A tiled runner on the floor, simple industrial-style pendant lights and clusters of green plants combine to create a greenhouse feel, and the lines created by the row of desks and lights draws the eye out to the patio beyond, expanding the sense of space.
Add a special zone to keep kids occupied.
If you have little ones at home, it's worth it to make an extra effort
to make the office kid-friendly. Sure, in an ideal world, we would just
close the door and everyone would not bother us — but as any parent
knows, that's just not how it works.
Consider adding these kid-friendly features to your office:
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Specifics to keep in mind when converting a closet into an office:
• Lighting is key. Add recessed lighting in the ceiling if possible, plus one or two desk lamps.
• If you can't find a desk that fits perfectly, have one built (or try a DIY project) to make the best use of the space.
• Measure potential desk chairs before buying to be sure they will tuck under the desk enough to close the door(s).
• Speaking of doors, try swapping out the standard-issue closet doors for French doors, pocket doors or even crisp curtains.
Plan office storage with efficiency in mind. The
storage areas directly around your desk — drawers, shelves, cabinets
and surfaces — should be reserved for frequently used essential items.
If you purchase some office supplies in bulk or have equipment that is
very seldom used, store it on the highest shelves or in a different room
altogether if you are short on space.
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Commit to keeping a clean and clear desktop. For ultimate productivity and peace of mind, make a habit of completely clearing off your desk before ending the day.
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