Work from Home in Style

No space in the house is coming into its own like the home office. Five years ago, many of these offices were makeshift affairs, often consisting of merely a desk and chair in the corner of a room. However, as more people spend more time working from home on a permanent basis, they’re eager to set up a workspace that’s as stylish as it is practical.

If you commute to an office, you probably labor in an environment that’s functional but with a style that’s best described as corporate. There are few opportunities to add your own imprint. Your home office, however, can look any way you want. It can have the same type of fine furnishings and personal touches as the rest of your dwelling. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your WFH headquarters, here are some enhancements you might consider.

A Stylish Home Office: Worth the Effort

It’s no secret that your environment affects the way you think, the way you feel and the way you perform. When you look around and see an attractive and tasteful room, there’s a natural uptick in your efficiency and creativity. Stress is less of a problem, and it’s easier to focus on the job. When there are personalized touches, there’s a sense of ownership that enables you to bring your best self to every task.

If you receive business colleagues or clients at home, the advantages of an appealing setting are obvious. But even if you work alone, your sophisticated backdrop will be on display in every video call. Even if no one else sees your upscale office, the extra something that it brings to your attitude will be evident in every remote interaction.

As a bonus, stylish home offices are in demand and add to the value of your home.

Functionality meets Style

The ideal home office is one where functionality and style work together. Choose furnishings not only for attractiveness but also for the ability to keep papers and supplies organized and to eliminate clutter. Make sure there are comfortable places to sit and plenty of space to spread out your work when you’re on task and hide it away when you’re done.

Many designers advocate choosing a design style that matches the rest of the home, using the same color scheme, furniture style and even artwork. It makes for a cohesive look and feel no matter where in the home you happen to be.

Others, however, choose to ignore this rule. They argue that an office that’s a bit different does a better job of establishing a boundary between work and the rest of your life.

Choosing Your Furniture

In a corporate setting, you have to order furniture from an office supply catalog. At home, however, you get to choose furnishings that reflect who you are and what you like.

Start with the Right Desk

Some WFHers prefer an impressive executive desk for their home office that serves as the focus of the space. If this is you, consider premium materials such as fine hardwood and even marble. The most imposing and luxurious desks run to dark colors such as mahogany, black and brown. They proclaim that this is a serious office where important tasks are accomplished.

An alternative is a smaller desk that’s one of many office furnishings. This may suit especially well in a workroom that features a table for conferencing or living room items such as sofas and armchairs. In these cases, the color and style of the desk should be chosen to match the rest of the pieces.

Whatever desk you choose, make sure there’s plenty of room for your computer, spread-out papers and desk accessories. Choose a desk height that comfortably accommodates keyboarding. A drop-down keyboard tray, either built in or added on, can make a difference during a long day of corresponding.

Also, there’s no rule against using two desks. You might have a large traditional office desk plus a writing table or sit-to-stand desk. It’s often a boon to creativity to move about and look at your world from a different perspective.

Complementing Chairs

Your desk chair should coordinate with your desk, but even more than with the desk, a properly fitted executive office chair is critical to productivity. Many office workers will find an ergonomic chair to be worth the investment. To pass muster as ergonomic, a chair must have an adjustable seat, adjustable armrest, angle-adjustable backrest, adjustable lumbar support and comfortable, supportive and breathable cushioning. Look for at least some of these features no matter which chair you buy.

As with desks, there’s no reason you can’t have two desk chairs. That will give your muscle groups a break during the workday; and can provide a place for any guests to comfortably sit.

Auxiliary Office Furniture

Most WFHers require storage, but your office doesn’t need metal file cabinets or other storage units that look like they belong in cubicle-land. Fortunately, there are tasteful cabinets, credenzas and hutches that fit in no matter how upscale the room is. Bookcases are fine, but many people will prefer storage furniture with doors that hide papers and books when they’re not being accessed.

If your office has frequent visitors, some kind of table is a must-have. It doesn’t have to be large; a small round table (with a few coordinating chairs) looks great, serves the purpose and makes the room feel more spacious.

More than Office Furniture

A small sofa, a few armchairs and maybe a coffee table create a room within the office. This arrangement is useful even if you don’t have business visitors. It provides a comfortable setting for family discussions outside of work hours. It’s a great retreat to adjust your attitude if you’ve been sitting at your desk and need a mental refresh.

Balancing the Lighting

An office should be neither too bright nor too dim. If you have a window, face your desk toward it or turn it perpendicular to take advantage of natural light. If there’s an overhead light, it's best when it’s muted. Floor lamps and recessed sources provide ambient lighting, and you’ll need a good desk lamp for task lighting.

Personalizing Accessories: Making It Your Own

In the most stylish home offices, accessories are restrained and of high quality. Excessive or mismatched accessories give the impression of clutter and spoil the ambiance. Opt for choices like leather portfolios, exquisite pen sets, a tasteful desk or wall clock and a discreet but fashionable desk sculpture. Wall art and a few personalized framed photos add to the arrangement.

There’s nothing like greenery to boost your mood during the day. A potted floor plant and one or two plants or flowers on desks and shelves emphasize that this is a living space as well as a workplace.

There are quite a few components to constructing a home office and making it an extension of your personal style. A professional design can guide you through the ins and outs of assembling the furnishings that will make your office a delightful place to live and work.