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Decorating a home office can feel overwhelming. These tips will help you get started. Image: Blackbox Design Studios
So you have a home office. Congratulations! Plenty of people long for a dedicated space in their homes where they can focus and tackle their to-dos. That being said, the idea of a home office and the reality of having one can be very different. Having an office in your house means welcoming work into the sanctuary of your living space. How do you keep your office zen? If you want to create a place where you’ll actually enjoy working that integrates comfortably into the rest of your house or apartment (and life), you need to think about your different options for decorating a home office.
You may not think that creating an aesthetic you enjoy in your office needs to be a top work-life priority. But decorating a home office in a way you love is actually pretty powerful. When you enjoy the space, you want to keep it tidy, and it can also help you enjoy your work. The chore of heading into the office – even if it’s where you live – is a lot easier when you get to go to a space that is pleasant to you.
With that in mind, it’s worth putting some work into decorating your home office. To help get you started, we’ve rounded up some of the top tips below.
Don’t get sucked into the organization gear trend! Sometimes, all you need to stay tidy is a few small boxes. Image: Erica Bryen Design
Stay organized
It’s no secret. Home offices can get messy – fast. To keep the piles at bay, it’s tempting to stock up on organizational bins, drawers, etc. There are about a million great options on the market to help you keep your home office in top shape. The only problem is that it’s all too easy to bring a bunch of them home without actually implementing them.
Before you start stocking up on drawer organizers and filing cabinets, put some thought into how you actually organize. What works well for you in the rest of your house? If you’re already in the habit of scanning your receipts and keeping things digitally, why buy a filing cabinet for your home office? If you have a single favorite pen you always use, why buy a pen cup? Don’t get sucked into the office organization hype. You have the flexibility of creating your own workspace. Do it in a way that will work for you long term. Remember, decorating a home office in a way that doesn’t feel too sterile is much easier when you’ve avoided accumulating piles of bins, folders and organizers.
When it comes to decorating a home office, vertical space is key. Image: Eldorado Stone
Elevate your thinking
Even the smallest home office can be fully stocked with great decor and organization solutions. The trick is to think up. Maximize your vertical square footage by hanging art you love, adding floating shelves or installing cabinets up the wall. The height of your wall is an asset when decorating a home office. Don’t be afraid to get playful with what you hang. Open cabinets could be equal parts practical and fun. Fill them with useful bins alongside colorful books or meaningful tchotchkes. Never forget that your home office is just that – yours. You can use the entire height of the wall as your canvas for whatever will inspire you and drive your productivity.
Well-wrangled cords help your office feel clean and organized. Image: Ellen Grasso & Sons
Cut cord clutter
In our digital age, one of the absolute worst things about offices is all of the tech clutter that accumulates. You probably need your computer and printer, but that doesn’t mean you need to stare at their tangle of cables all day. Take some steps to keep your home office free of cord clutter. Cut a hole in the back of an attractive box. Your router and other necessary tech can live in there with cords fed out the back. Mount a power strip underneath or on the back of your desk. Use cable ties and command hooks to wrangle any cords that get plugged into that power strip and feed them along the back of furniture where they’re out of sight. You’ll be amazed at the way simply removing the eyesore of cords will make your office feel clean and bright.
No home office is complete without ample lighting. Image: Urbanology Designs
Let there be light
Offices are notorious for their stark lighting — specifically, fluorescents. Why do offices often opt for sterile, cold lighting that makes you feel like you’re under a microscope? Because they know one basic work principle: Sufficient lighting makes work easier. We already strain our eyes staring at screens most of the day. Don’t make it worse by limiting lighting in your home office. Use natural light as much as possible, but make sure you supplement where it falls short. A well-lit office is a happy, productive one.
Don’t forget that your home office is an extension of your home. Image: Gina Sims Designs
Make yourself at home
Your office is an extension of your house or apartment. It should look and feel like one. Decorate with the same themes you’ve used in your house and incorporate items you love. Nothing is off limits. If you’re a plant lover, blanket your home office in green. If hygge is your vibe, add a plush rug and a cozy throw to your office chair. Don’t limit yourself just because this is a workspace. You’ll be more productive in a room that brings you joy, so why not put some extra care into creating an office that feels like home?
Ready, set, go start decorating your home office! Image: Stanley Martin Homes
Start decorating a home office
Do you want to know the best way to decorate your office? By starting. It’s really that simple. You’ll intuitively know the essentials: a desk, a chair, a lamp. From there, enjoy the process of finding pieces you love that inspire your best work. Decorating a home office can take time. But you have your whole life to work, so it’s worth the effort!
What are some ways you’ve integrated your office into your home? Do you have any other clever tricks you’d like to share?