Almost anyone can incorporate a home office into their home decoration scheme, regardless of budget. Whether you’re working on a shoestring budget or have money to burn, your space can be tidy, comfortable, and functional. So join us as we review home office decorating ideas from the most basic to ultra luxurious.
There are 5 elements that every home office needs. They include:
- Solid work surface.
- Convenient electrical outlets for all your electronics.
- Comfortable chair for desk work.
- Adequate storage for all your papers.
- Good room and task lighting.
Beyond those items, you can pick any things you want and a home decoration style that fits your personality and home.
Home Office Decorating on a Shoestring Budget
Money is tight. Most of us have been there, or are there now. But that doesn’t mean your home decorating plans can’t include a home office that’s as attractive as it is functional. The keys here are keeping everything functional, using what you have, and making purchases count. (Read: Making a Home Office Work for You)
You can create an attractive desk that’s functional too using two short filing cabinets and a hollow-core door. An alternative to the door is a 4 x 8 ft sheet of melamine cut to fit your space. The filing cabinets serve double duty. They give much-needed storage, and situated on the left and right, they support the hollow core door as a desktop. Paint the door, or seal it with urethane to let the wood grain show through. If you don’t have filing cabinets, two short book cases work just as well.
Your chair is important, but you don’t necessarily need a high-end office chair. Comfortable seating where you can adjust the height to fit your table top, is more important than whether you can roll it around. And the same applies to lighting. As long as you have a well-lit space, you don’t need a special desk lamp.
When you’re working on a shoestring, attend to the core elements first and you'll be ready to add extra home office decorating ideas as you can afford them.
Home Office Decorating on a Modest Budget
When there’s a bit more money to spend on an office, the most important things are still your work surface, a comfortable chair, lighting, and accessible outlets. The difference is you can afford to upgrade a bit.
You can choose a desk with built-in storage, or add a filing cabinet close enough to be handy. (Read: What's in Your Home Office?) In addition to an office chair, a mat underneath will protects flooring and also helps with moving around if you have carpet.
Upgraded lighting is also an option. Indirect lighting is easier on the eyes, and task lighting, which is usually a lamp or pendant light, helps to better illuminate what you’re working on as you need it.
With a bigger budget, you can also move your printer and other equipment off your desk (or floor). That reduces clutter, which makes concentrating a bit easier. Remember that with each change you have the opportunity to review your home office decorating options, and sometimes simply rearranging things will give your space a whole new look.
Creating Your Dream Home Office on an Extravagant Budget
Where money is no object, you’ll still need to remember your core components first. But you might have the option of dedicating a whole room to a home office, and taking home office decorating to a different level.
Your desk should fit your needs as well as your style. Solid construction that will last for years is important, even if your style dictates a sleek, glass desk with no storage.
Hardwood floors let you move around in a desk chair more freely, but carpeting helps a room feel warmer. Either way, invest in a high-quality mat to protect the floors.
As for the chair, don’t settle on the first one you see; try them out. Do you spend hours at the desk, or just enough time to pay the monthly bills? If it’s the former, an ergonomic design with lumbar support will help reduce the stress of sitting all day. And an adjustable chair will let you lean back once in a while, and raise or lower the seat as you desire.
All of the office home decoration accouterments are at your disposal with an unlimited budget. A nice sound system can mitigate household noise, and insulated drapes offers privacy while blocking the midday sun heat. Decor such as art that inspires you also has a place.
Creating a home office can be a grand project, or something you put together out of the things you already own. Just remember that convenience and comfort should always come first.
Are you planning a home office? We would love for you to share your story about what inspires you, and what you find important.
Photos via Manhatta Architecture
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