It’s the unofficial end of summer, with Labor Day, kids starting a new school year, and everyone back to their regular work schedules. This is the time when clients start to think about adding or updating work spaces in their homes. They need places for homework, for days when their jobs allow them to work from home, and spaces for checking emails and web surfing. I love designing home offices that really work for my clients, no matter how much space they have to dedicate to them. Here are my top pro tips for work spaces in your home.

1. Color Is Key

Whether you have a dedicated office or a room that serves double-duty, don’t forget to use colors that will inspire you as you work. That palette will be personal to you - some people love calm colors in their office, and others want a more moody effect on the walls. But color can be very motivating to you psychologically, so don’t skip a color consultation to be absolutely sure you’ll be as productive as possible.

2. Storage Solutions

Clutter is proven to cause stress, so storage is key in an office space. Be sure you have plenty of storage for printers, cables, wires, routers, papers, and everything else that keeps your workday running smoothly. A well-ordered room will help you stay motivated and focused, so keep clutter out of sight.

3. Take a Seat

It’s tempting to just use a regular chair, like one from the dining room, when you’re working in a home office, but that isn’t a good idea. You need to consider what’s best for you ergonomically at home, just as you would in a commercial office space. And there are so many stylish choices for office chairs today, so you don’t have to go with something basic from a big box retailer. Put a lot of thought into what would make you and other family members most comfortable as they’re working from home.

4. Personalize It

As you can see from all of the home offices in this post, I’ve designed spaces that are stylish and chic, but that also represent my clients’ personalities and interests. A home office shouldn’t be as utilitarian as one in a big office building. Use original art, photography, plants, books, and accessories to add your own personal touches to your space. This room should be as well-designed as the rest of your home.

5. The Details

The details in a home office space are so important. They include layered lighting, especially natural light. You want to have a strong overhead light for evening work, task lighting for when you want to focus on a project or deadline, and plenty of sunlight to give you a hit of vitamin D as you’re working.

6. Kid Talk

Kids should definitely have their own workspaces in their rooms. And they need many of the same things that adults need - good lighting, a great chair, storage, and a place to personalize their work area. If space is at a premium in their own rooms, remember that a desk can also serve as a bedside table.

My team and I are experts at creating fabulous office spaces and stunning homes. Give us a call if you’re ready to schedule some serious work on your home!

All the best,

Kara