It doesn’t matter if you’re running a business, work from home now and then, or simply using the space to pay your bills—your home office should be more than a folding table and chair. After all, you’ll likely be spending a good chunk of your time here, so ensuring you’re comfortable is critical if you’re also going to be productive.
Even if you’re not an office design expert, making your work space inviting and practical is easier than you think. When it comes to your home office, it’s imperative that your space inspires productivity and creativity—but also that it feels less like a corporate office and more like a home. What better way to make it your own than to add a little do-it-yourself flair. Consider these DIY office décor ideas when you decide how to decorate your home office.
Choose Office Space Wisely
Since you’ll probably be spending a fair amount of time in your home office, ensure you have the proper amount of space to do your best work. Don’t squish into a closet. Instead, try to set a room aside that will get your creative juices flowing. Be sure to consider quiet spaces that will offer less distractions—such as a spare bedroom or den— and serve as a welcoming place for clients to stop by.
Make It Yours
Although your office should be professional (especially if you’re meeting clients), that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Skip the plain-Jane “office beige” and choose a color for the walls that brings energy to every project on your list. Whether it’s a bright green or a calming blue, paint the walls a color you love.
Add some personality to your home office by choosing extras that enhance your décor like a mug that doubles as a pen holder, trendy notepads and sticky notes, and a decorative wastebasket. Wrap your bulletin board in a pattern-filled fabric instead of leaving it bare. Pick out a few inspirational prints to create an accent wall —or ask your kids to show off their best drawing skills and frame them right up.
Organize Small Office Space
Like most offices, you’ve probably got a lot to store. And given that your work space at home is probably smaller than a traditional corporate office—why not make items pull double-duty? Consider stylish baskets and bins for keeping things in their rightful place and you’ll add to the already-alluring office décor. Don’t forget to repurpose other furniture (like dressers, trunks, credenzas, nightstands, book shelves and end tables), too. These can function as homes for your printer, computer or fax machine.
While you can hide many items in drawers or stylish storage bins, you can also keep unsightly computer and printer cords out of view, too. Begin by ensuring your equipment is close to an outlet and easy to access. Encase cords on the desk in a fabric that matches the color scheme of your room and feed the cords into a desk grommet (a plastic or metal cap that helps guide cords through a hole in the desk and hides them underneath). You can keep floor cords from tangling by using cord winders, tubing or a wire organizer that attaches to the desk and lifts the cords off the floor.
Don’t Forget the Lighting
An important aspect of any home office is incorporating natural lighting. Ensuring your office has plenty of it will minimize eye strain and headaches. Keep your computer away from any window glare and keep a small lamp on the desk for extra luminosity.
No matter how you decide to decorate a home office, the most important part is that it is a place that motivates you to create or get work accomplished. Let CORT Furniture Rental help. You’ll find everything you need to make your home office your own.
