Creating the Perfect Home Office

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 is 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 it's becoming common to need some 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 can easily fit into any design style.

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 your style preference, you 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 piles of 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!”