Judith Sutton
Coldwell Banker Realty

Home Office Design Ideas

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Judith Sutton ABR CRS IDS PMN ASP IAHSP SRES GREEN

Judy@JudithSutton.com   908 803-0472

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IDEAS ON HOW TO SET UP A SUCCESSFUL AND STYLISH HOME OFFICE

Invited Guest Contributor: THE SCOUT GUIDE
Fun House Furnishings and Design Mendham NJ

I love this blue and white cozy room!

The workplace is ever-evolving, but I think Covid brought it to a whole new level of thought. It seems that the home office idea is here to stay.

While many people quickly created makeshift home workspaces in the spring, with the possibility of working from home stretching far into the future, it might be time to revisit those areas with an eye toward improving comfort and function. Look around your home. What space will bring you inspiration and possibly joy?   Here, Houston, Texas-based interior designer Courtnay Elias of Creative Tonic and Mendham, New Jersey-based interior designer Jane Connell of  Fun House Furnishings discuss how to create a home office that not only enables you to get your work done but also makes you happy.

Assess your working style. Your home office should reflect the way you like to work. If you do your best work behind a desk, then consider ergonomics as well as style when choosing a desk and chair. Alternatively, if you prefer to lounge on a laptop, pick out a comfortable chair or couch with an ottoman in addition to a traditional desk setup. The goal is to create a space that you will actually use and be comfortable in.

Approach the design like you would a bedroom. Since this workspace is in your home, it should feel like home. “I tell my clients to decorate it like they would their bedroom,” Elias says. She and Connell both recommend putting a large, cozy rug in the area to immediately make it feel warm. Also consider accents like throw pillows, lighting, and window treatments, which will soften and add personality to the space.

Get creative. Not everyone is in a position to dedicate a spare room as an office space. Still, there are ways to create a lovely office within your home’s current footprint. Elias notes that many secondary bedrooms have linear closets where you can build a desk. “You can take the doors off, or keep them on and be able to close everything away when you’re finished for the day,” she says. Another option is to convert a room that was previously underutilized into a workspace. For example, a little-used formal dining room that you might retrofit for a re-defined workspace. Use Wayfair, IKEA, Pottery Barn for a do-it-yourself project, or hire a professional designer to really see your vision through custom cabinetry and shelving.  The creation of filling a wall with bookcases would create a wonderful backdrop for those all-important Zoom calls. Additionally, it will add value to your home. 

Make organization a priority. Elias recommends carefully assessing the elements you’ll need to have a functional and efficient office, from supplies to storage, and thinking through the mechanics of how you want to work. Your office should function as smoothly as a well-thought-out kitchen, which means making sure that everything you need is nearby.

Don’t settle for standard office furniture. “Your home office doesn’t have to look like a corporate space”. Instead of shopping at an office supply store, look to shops in your area, especially antique stores, where you can find wonderful old desks that often have better storage than sleek, modern ones. Meanwhile, Elias recommends going custom with your seating when you can. “Ordering a custom desk chair that fits you ergonomically trimmed in fabrics you love will be a purchase you’ll never regret.”

Think through your lighting.  Lighting is one of the most important elements to consider when designing your home office. You’ll need task lighting to illuminate what you’re working on, but also overhead ambient lighting to brighten the whole room, and whenever possible, natural lighting to enliven your whole space. When choosing task lighting keep in mind that you’re not limited to office-type fixtures, so go ahead and choose a beautiful table lamp to further convey a sense of home. And if the room calls for it- a beautiful new design chandelier to add glamor to your special space. Visit my blog: Designing your Lighting Mood to read further. 

Conceal your technology.  Also, hiding all electrical cords and wiring is essential in creating an inviting space. This can be achieved by placing the computer table against a wall and finding cabinetry that will hold the printer, which is often the least attractive and bulkiest piece of office equipment. When approaching the design of the space, choose furniture and built-ins that will make computer monitors and TVs less obtrusive. This is a challenge met by today's technology, but solvable with interesting cable concealers. 

Remove visual clutter. Since the sight of extraneous items can be stressful, try to contain everything in vessels of all types. Rather than typical office storage bins, which can look very sterile, seek out baskets, boxes, and pretty containers in which to keep your essential work items. A file drawer can also work wonders. “You should file everything you need instead of having it sitting out,” to keep away the visual clutter.

Have your office do double-duty. While some prefer to have an office where they can close the door and leave it behind at the end of the workday, others may wish to make the space flexible for other needs. “I believe the space can absolutely serve a dual purpose.”  “A home office can easily serve as a library, TV room, or sitting room.” As an added benefit, making your office space for more than just work can help it feel more comfortable and inviting.

Make it personal. Adding personality to your work-from-home setup will only make you enjoy it more. This can be accomplished in a number of ways  Adding in books green plants, colorful throw pillows, or travel souvenirs that bring you joy will also enhance your office.

Need more inspiration?  Call me to discuss your dream space.  As a member of the Interior Design Society (IDS) I can help evaluate your space, and discuss the added value it will make to your home.  Call me anytime!

Tips are from Courtnay Elias, owner of Creative Tonic in Houston, Texas, and Jane Connell, owner of Fun House Furnishings in Mendham, New Jersey. 

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