Today, the home office has become an integral part of the workweek for many northern Utah residents.
The internet has changed the way companies do business, and many people want to take advantage of working from home as often as possible. Even if you don’t do a lot of work from home, having an office in your home provides the ideal place for paying the bills, reading a book or working on your memoir.
Whether you have a dedicated room for your home office or need to share space, designing an office that has the right energy and flow can be accomplished with a few simple and short steps.
Planning Your Home Office
When picking a spot for your new office, consider what you plan to use the space for. Is this space going to be used full-time throughout the week or just on the weekends to do paperwork and pay the bills? Decide how much space will be dedicated to this purpose and measure the space carefully.
Finally, sketch out a basic layout, if possible, to get a good idea of where your furniture will go.
Choosing Home Office Furnishings
Decide what furnishings you will need, such as desks or worktables, shelves, copy machine table, etc. Do you need storage space? Will you be working nights? What kind of lighting and equipment will you need? Are there enough electrical outlets?
Be flexible in your design and try a few different layouts to see what feels right.
Don’t stop with just selecting your basic home office furnishings. Adding a bit of personalization and style will give you a feeling that your home office is more than just a workspace, it represents how you feel about your work and it can affect your attitude and productivity.
Selecting Home Office Lighting, Decor & Accessories
Once you decide on your furniture, turn your attention to lighting, window coverings, decor and accessories that suit your personality and your office space.
Choosing the right task lighting is crucial when working in a space that has limited lighting fixtures or windows. A stylish desk lamp, sconces and overhead track lighting can make a big difference in your work environment. If you have secondary workspaces, like a drafting desk or conference table, make sure that they have the appropriate lighting for their purpose.
Decide what type of desk accessories you want, if any. If you’re a minimalist, you can keep your stapler, tape dispenser, pens, etc. in your desk. Do you like working with file baskets or trays, organizers or other tools typical to the business environment?
As for decorative accessories, choose a few pieces that have meaning to you. Make sure that whatever is in your line of sight gives you a good feeling, because you may be spending many hours each day looking at that view!
In Salt Lake City and throughout northern Utah, Guild Hall Home Furnishings has everything you need to outfit your ideal workspace. We have experienced, professional interior designers available to assist you with your selections and layout. Call or stop by our showroom today for help designing and outfitting your new home office.
