Home office design made easy

Designing a home office is easy for some people, while others find the process daunting. Whether you want to set up a new home office or redesign an existing office, there are several ways to select the right furniture, provide enough storage space, and create a home office layout that meets your needs and work style.

Setting up a home office doesn’t have to be difficult or overwhelming. By planning ahead, selecting the ideal space, and finding the right furniture, you can make the process easier.

Ask yourself some important questions

The first step in home office design is to make sure you carefully assess each room and ask yourself a few questions:

• Will you actually work in this area?
• Will distractions be kept to a minimum?
• Is there enough lighting?
• Is there enough space for all your equipment, files, and supplies?
• Are there enough electrical outlets?
• Would it be difficult to install a phone line and Internet access in this space?

By answering these questions, you will identify the best space for a home office.

Functional home office furniture should fit in with home decor

Invest in functional office furniture that matches your home decor. Whether you want a simple desk with a portable drawer for supplies or a large desk with drawers for supplies and files, determine if the piece is functional and matches your decor. When shopping for home office furniture, look for an ergonomically correct desk and chair, as well as a bookcase to hold business and reference books.

If you have limited home office space, or need to “close shop” at the end of the day, a computer cabinet or computer closet with enough space to house your office equipment is ideal. Plan ahead by measuring your space before you buy any new office furniture, making sure it fits through a doorway or stairway.

What type of desk arrangement works best for you?

Choosing the desk layout that works best for you is an important part of the home office design process. Decide which of five basic home office desk arrangements is best for you: L-shaped, parallel, U-shaped, corner, or reverse corner arrangement. The L-shaped work area lets you stash equipment off your desk and move it to a secondary surface; U-shaped work area makes it easy to keep everything within easy reach on three surfaces; The parallel layout positions your desk facing the room with its secondary surface behind you; the corner arrangement and reverse corner arrangement include a desk with returns on each side. The desk faces the corner or the room.

File storage can be beautiful

Get creative with file storage. Instead of using a gray metal filing cabinet to store your files, look into other alternatives. You can store files inside a decorative wooden chest, inside a piece of furniture disguised as a storage chest, or inside a storage ottoman with a lid that doubles as a seat. Set up an easy-to-use filing system using hanging folders for major categories with interior folders (they’re cut lower than manila) inside. Lateral filing cabinets like the ones offered by Hooker Furniture are so well designed that no one would even know they are a filing cabinet. A Preston Ridge file cabinet, for example, would look beautiful in a living room, hallway, or next to a bed.

Save space within your home office by using multifunction or all-in-ones that fax, print, copy and scan color documents. The smaller size (and often low price) of these machines makes them ideal for most space-constrained home offices. Keep your computer storage space to a minimum by storing information online through a virtual filing system, and eliminate the need for a special photo printer by using an online photo processing service.

Design your home office to reflect your tastes, interests, and style. If your office isn’t carpeted, add a rug to reduce echo. For privacy and to minimize the effects of direct sunlight, add curtains. Don’t forget to provide enough light for your desk and general office.

Planning meetings with clients.

If you’ll be meeting clients in your office, set up a space within your home office with chairs for guests and a meeting table to spread out paperwork. If the kitchen is not close by, set up a small seating area with a coffee pot, dishes, utensils, and if possible, a small refrigerator.