Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.
Last Updated on January 20, 2024 by Work In My Pajamas
With so many advances in technology, it’s no longer always necessary to commute to work every day. More and more people are working from home these days, and there’s no question as to why this is. Working at home can save money on gas, childcare, and business attire–and it allows for more time with family by way of a flexible work schedule. What’s more? If you work at home, you have the freedom to create a home office specifically designed with you in mind. Whether your current home office could use some updating or you’re starting one from scratch, here are some decorating tips that will help you create a professional workspace with a personal feel in an office building otherwise known as home.
Play with Color
The beauty of a home office is that since it’s just for you, you’re the only person you have to please when it comes time to decorate. An office in your home doesn’t have to look exactly like a traditional one, so you don’t have to be afraid to play with color when you’re picking out paint for the walls. If you don’t like bright, flashy colors, that’s okay. Instead of choosing a boring white or cream color, though, go with some tones that are just a bit darker but still neutral. Earth tones are nice if you want some color but don’t want to get too crazy. If you like vibrant hues, go for it–just be sure that you don’t pick a color that’s so bright that it distracts you from your work. If you’d like to make the walls more interesting, try adding some texture using a paint specifically designed for special effects. You can also add a textured feel simply by selecting a color very similar to the base color and applying it with a brush or sponge over-top to create a chic textured look.
Find Comfortable and Unique Furniture
Choosing the right furniture for your home office is essential–uncomfortable furniture will most likely lead to poor productivity. On the other hand, if your chair is too cozy, you might get so relaxed that you don’t pay attention to the work that needs to be done. Find a happy medium and get a chair that feels good to sit in, but keeps you upright and ready to get your work done. Along with a nice chair, you’ll need a sturdy desk. A desk with drawers is ideal–it will help you keep your desk clutter-free by providing some extra places to keep office supplies and important documents, orders, or anything else that tends to pile up on a desk. Furniture that will help you stay organized is important as well–filing cabinets and bookshelves will help you keep your home office neat and orderly. Office furniture comes in a variety of styles and colors, so select pieces that are complimentary to your paint choices. If you aren’t able to buy new furniture that matches, you can always repaint or refinish it so that it fits in with the room décor perfectly.
Decorate with Art
Bare walls, void of any artwork, are boring walls. You can add splashes of color and interest to your home office by hanging a few paintings or photographs on them. An interesting sculpture set on your desk or bookshelf is also a nice touch. Because this is your office, you can incorporate anything you’d like. Look for pieces that inspire you–you’d be amazed how a few beautiful works of art can transform your office.
Add a Touch of Nature
You can bring a little bit of the natural world to your home office by adding some plants or flowers. A couple of potted plants or a hanging basket next to a window will add color and life to your workspace. If you have access to fresh flowers from a home garden, arrange some in a vase for your desk and make it a regular routine to switch them out for new arrangements to keep things interesting.
Invest in Good Lighting
Good lighting is essential to any home office, so make sure what you have is adequate. Table lamps or free-standing lamps can be incorporated into the space to light up dark corners or simply to add a soft glow to your workspace. Avoid fluorescent lighting and make changes to the room’s current lights if they aren’t exactly what you had in mind.
Your home office should be a room that you want to occupy, so make it all your own by choosing your favorite colors and things to put in it. Keeping it clean and clutter-free will make it even more inviting, so do your best to maintain it the way you would if you worked in an office located outside of the home. Have fun decorating your work space. It is, after all, a home office intended just for you.
Guest post from Bailey Harris. Bailey writes for the Area Rugs Store, a site that sells brand name area rugs and related supplies.