Blend these home office design trends for a unique functional workspace
There are some things that almost every remote worker agrees should be included in the home office. This includes having enough power outlets in the right places and using durable and natural materials. Beyond this, remote employees are divided on the aesthetic of a home office.
There are generally three main camps: those who want to take advantage of the freedom of expression, those who need to maintain a minimal amount of professionalism to maintain focus and productivity during work hours, and those who walk the line between the two. A variety of home office design elements can be blended to meet any of these needs.
Affordable professionalism
Even if you won’t be entertaining clients in your home office, some people work better when they are surrounded by the economically sound professional environment to which they have been accustomed. The upside is that this home office design style is very affordable.
What is included in a classic home office?
A classic home office could be comprised of a desk and shelving, with little room for anything else. It is a great option for people with only a small home office, as well as those who are squeezing their office space into a corner of a room with another purpose.
The key here lies, not in minimalism, but in practical and efficient organization. Those items you use the most should be within easy reach, which is most easily accomplished with desk hutches, shelving, and multifunctional furniture.
Creating the right aesthetic for a productive and focused home office
Neutral colors with light wood veneers are a great way to achieve that level of professionalism while still brightening the room for an affordable cost. They can transport you back to the home offices of the 80s and 90s, with an arrangement that may seem familiar. Those vintage desk systems make it easy to keep everything you need within arm’s reach.
On the other hand, you could choose dark wood veneers for an executive look. In either case, you’ll be able to adapt easily for the occasional meeting by including an accent chair or two.
Combining relaxing and energizing features for increased productivity
Making your home office a workspace of art can help you keep your eye on the prize, and, with the right bright colors and splashes of style, an artsy home office can keep your energy and momentum going. If you only work remotely, adding individual and personal flare falls under the category of “anything goes,” as long as it isn’t distracting.
Design a motivational art wall
Use a variety of wall art, accessories, and homemade vision board elements to create a colorful, eye-level reminder of why you do what you do. Boldly display your hopes, dreams, and ultimate goals in career and life in general. Be creative and make the wall work for you. If you occasionally have visitors, make sure that anything you hang is tasteful.
The need for more power
The productive and trendy office isn’t just about looks, it’s also about being able to support today’s smart home. Instead of just needing outlets for a PC, laptop, and maybe a printer, you will need to be able to charge or power many devices and some office equipment, as well as your router and other connectivity peripherals. The more tech you use, the more outlets you need. Keep this in mind when having your home office remodeled or added onto your home.
Comfortable home furniture for a relaxing break
One of the problems with working from home is that you can’t really escape the home office to take a break. Sometimes the best way to break a block in either creativity or productivity in general is to change your perspective. Experts say that you should get up, move around, and look at something different, but without losing focus on the goal at hand.
At work that means hitting the breakroom, a space that is that special crossover between relaxation and work. But when you are at home, there isn’t such a space. Moving into the other rooms of the house for your break might get you away from the work itself, but it could be difficult to make yourself go back to it when the break should be over.
Instead, take advantage of the more laid-back nature of today’s colorful office trends to add comfortable home furniture like a sofa, loveseat, or comfortable accent chair. Include a small coffee table or accent tables. You can use the sitting area as a place to ponder potential approaches to solving a problem, or you can use it for more casual business meetings.
Discuss your home office design plan with your contractor
Regardless of which camp you belong to you should discuss your plans for furnishing and designing your home office with the contractor handling the office addition or remodel. They should know how you want to use the room so that they can design it accordingly. Once the design is set and the work has begun, it might be too late or more expensive to add.
Particularly, make sure that your contractor knows these items when planning the home office addition:
- The minimum square footage to accommodate your desired furnishings or shelving solutions.
- The number of outlets you need and where you need them. (Look into making at least some of these outlets for USB.) If you exceed the safe potential wattage for your electrical system, you may need a few electrical upgrades as well.
- Any built-in shelving that could maximize the functionality of the space and give you more area for the furniture and décor that will make your office a functional and comfortable space.
Our professional contractors and remodelers can make your dream home office a reality, whatever your preferences may be. We will help you through the entire process, giving you all of the information and choices you need to have the office that works best for you.
