One thing 2020 made super clear is that having a good home workspace is a must! Regardless if you’re working from home full time, or if you’ll be working remotely on and off, it’s important that your home office be designed for max productivity. AND why not make it look stylish, you spend a lot of time there, you should absolutely enjoy your surroundings! I always say to clients, spend your money where you spend the most time - whether it is where you sleep, what you drive , or where you work - PLACES YOU SPEND THE MOST TIME IN - SHOULD MAKE YOU HAPPY.
1 - Assess Your Needs
When setting up a home office it’s important that it function to fit your business needs - ask yourself the following questions:
How do you work? On the computer like Mr. Robot in a hoodie, on a phone a la Ari Gold or on Zoom with a faux background like everyone these days?
What type of equipment do you need? Computer, printer, credibility book case and halo light with make up team? You do you, you do YOU.
Are you going to be meeting with clients or colleagues?
What type of storage will you need for your work materials? Ugh, organization, we all need THE HOME EDIT.
Once you have these fundamental questions answered, you can then get started with the next steps: Designing your dream home office!
2 - Define Your Budget
Think about everything you’ll need from paint, furniture to equipment and accessories. Determine how much you can and want to spend in total. If you don’t have a budget in mind, it’s easy to go overboard and overspend or run out of the money you’ve set aside halfway through. Yikes! Here is a SAMPLE BUDGET.
3 - Find the Perfect Location (With a View)
Don’t underestimate this one. Location is extremely important. No matter your line of work, you’ll need a space where you can focus and be productive. Ideally, you’ll have an entire room you can dedicate to your home office. Like that spare guest room you thought you’d use all the time, but really only use once or twice a year. If you can’t spare a full room for an office, no problem! You can still carve out some space in an existing room, whether it’s a bedroom or a living room. By designing it smartly you can create a distinct and separate space to function as an office. For some more tips check out Modsy’s article on how to fit a home office in your living room.
When considering the location, you’ll also want to make sure your office includes sources of inspiration, to help motivate you while you're working. If you’re able to plan your office space near a window with a pleasant view and natural light, that’s ideal. If your space is limited to a windowless area of your home, not to worry you can create a ‘view’ in a number of different ways. You can select statement artwork that makes you feel inspired or calm. I love this ART, reminds me of vacation and why I work so hard and THIS - we all need a little inspo sometimes.
4 - Pick a Style - That’s in-Line With the Rest of Your Home
Next, decide what design style you want your office to be. Whether you like modern design, you’re a minimalist, you prefer a traditional aesthetic, or you’re more eclectic - you’ll want to have a clear idea of what aesthetic you’re designing around. This should be a style that fits the look of the rest of your home, so your office doesn’t feel disconnected and out of place. If you’re feeling stuck on this step, check out Decor Aid for a full list of common style definitions.
5 - Function
When thinking of function you want to make sure this extends to every piece of furniture you select for your office. Yes, style is important, but you want pieces that will fit your work needs.
Select a desk that has enough surface space and storage space for your equipment and work materials. HGTV features a range of desks that are both functional and stylish. When deciding on a desk chair, make sure you think of comfort. If you’re going to be sitting in it for hours at a time you definitely want a chair that’ll make your back and tush say “ahhh” and not “ouch!” When choosing lighting, remember to think about desk and floor lamps too. You’ll want to be sure that you have a well-lit workspace for those cloudy days, early mornings, or late night work sessions. Protect those eyes from strain! Love this DESK LAMP.
Once you have your office looking exactly how you want, don’t forget about accessories and organization....just as you want your furniture to be functional, you’ll also want to think about what office accessories you may need for top productivity. For inspiration, check out this Worksion’s list of top picks.
