Gone are the days when you only had the choice of a desk and chair for your home office. Today’s home office furnishings options are all but endless. So, first things first! As with any decorating project, you first need to determine what you want to accomplish in your new home office, and then match those needs with the right furnishings.
While many people purchase a conventional desk, more and more are requiring extra space. If you fall into this category, you might consider a workstation. With an L-shaped configuration, you should find that it provides approximately twice the work space of a traditional desk. Plus, the storage options are virtually endless – cubbyholes, drawers and cabinets are all designed to store office essentials.
Another popular workstation option is the office armoire: two tall doors open to reveal a drop down work surface and plenty of storage space. Available in a multitude of design styles and furniture finishes, these popular pieces are space savers and can easily fit into any design style.
Or, as Marie L. has brought to our attention, you may want to consider a “sit-stand” desk if health issues are a concern. These modern inventions have adjustable heights and are designed to fight the negative effects of sitting for prolonged periods of time. People who work in offices tend to lead sedentary lifestyles which can lead to health problems such as obesity and poor circulation. Sit-stand desks help combat these problems by encouraging you to stand and shift positions while you work. The simple act of standing and changing positions throughout the day burns up to 40% more calories compared to just sitting. Standing for the recommended amount of time can also help increase energy levels, decrease loads on the spine, improve focus, and increase productivity.
Chairs, too, have vastly improved in terms of aesthetics as well as comfort. This is one place you can really put a personal stamp on your home office. Who says you can’t work from a traditional wing chair? Or even a country style Adirondack chair? Once you’ve determined you style preference, you next need to give careful consideration to the ergonomics. If you spend a majority of your time working at a computer, you may want to opt for a chair with separate adjustments for lumbar and lower back support, arm width and height, seat back angle and seat height.
Another extremely important consideration in creating the home office of your dreams is storage. Books, files, mail, magazines, and a plethora of other paperwork are essential to any full-fledged office – and as we all know – every piece of paper deserves its own home. Take stock of how many linear feet of open and closed storage you need right now, then multiply that figure by 25% to 50% to allow for future growth. Once you’ve come to a comfortable conclusion, consider various storage options – everything from conventional steel files to traditional wood cabinetry.
And finally, don’t forget those furnishings that will put the “home” in “home office”. Decorative lighting, an ottoman for put-your-feet-up comfort, even a home entertainment unit can add up to an office ready for any job. And of course, those finishing touches – custom window treatments, area rugs, artwork and collectibles will all help to say, “This is my space!”
Given the right decorative approach, you’ll find it hard to leave work when 5 o’clock rolls around.
Janet Cunningham is an interior decorator who lives in Morgan Hill. She is a Decorating Den INTERIORS business owner and enjoys working together with Pamela Ryalls-Boyd. Reach Janet at (408) 478-1095, [email protected] or visit www.decdens.com/jcunningham.
