Decorate Your Home Office

Everyone wants a home office that is a productive sanctuary, not a den of clutter and confusion. When decorating a home office, there are several things to consider besides a simple desk and chair. Both function and style have to work equally hard to create a room that's as productive as it is beautiful.

BEFORE YOU START DECORATING …
Before you do anything else, answer these questions to help you determine exactly how much space you'll need for work, storage and leisure in your new office:

What purpose will the office serve?
Who will use it?
What will my technology needs be?
How much storage will I need?

WHEN YOU START DECORATING …
A stunningly functional room still has to be pretty. Here are some tips on how to make your work space a downright pleasant place to be.

Color
Paint your walls with colors that reflect the mood of your business. If you want something more traditional, use subtle and neutral colors like off-white or light blue. If you crave something more creative or artsy, go with bolder colors like oranges and darker shades of green and blue.

Displays
An empty wall is an invitation to display more than your advanced degrees and professional awards. Warm up the mood of your office with tastefully framed artwork, photography, etc.

Shelving
Both attractive and efficient, extra wall shelving can enhance the professional look of your office while offering much needed storage space and clutter control

Plants
Indoor plants are not only attractive, but can make any room feel instantly more lively and cozy – an easy way to guard against your work space becoming too sterile or boring.

Storage Ottomans
If you have space to spare, consider purchasing a couple storage ottomans. They make for chic-looking stacking areas and provide extra seating for meetings or guests.

Lighting
One desk lamp in a windowless room does not make for an inviting workspace. If your space has natural light, use it! You need the upcoming long hours spent working to be as pleasant as possible.

Maintenance
Try to keep your flooring/carpeting and furniture easy to clean so you can focus on your work instead of housekeeping.

Source: American Signature

Home Office Remodel

Describe how you'd like to feel in your home office in a word or two. 

• Productive
• Serene
• Competitive
• Relaxed
• Determined

Add to that with thoughts about your style in relation to that feeling. 

• Homey
• Woodsy
• Preppy
• Outdoor
• Stark
• Country
• Sleek

Allow us to rearrange your furniture, suggest pieces to work with those frameworks, repaint, add shelves or built-ins, and suggest accessories like a throw rug to reach your perfect feeling in your home office.

This is a relatively inexpensive project to make your office your favorite room in your home. After all, you are in there a lot! Here are some design ideas from Houzz:

Girls' Rooms

Continuing from our last post about cool rooms for your kids, this week's entry shows you amazing ways to showcase your daughter's room, whether she is a toddler or a teenager. Storage is key, as well as usable space to play, to learn, and to express her individual style. Built-in shelving and wardrobes set these rooms apart and could be easily done for you on a budget.