Even if it’s just a spot where you hammer out your taxes, pay your bills or take a quiet moment, a functional home office space can (and should) still be as beautiful as any other room in the house. “It is important for most people to feel like they’re in a nice serene space,” says Lauren Bosworth, who co-owns clothing and home furnishings boutique Laura of Pembroke, “then they may feel like they can get to work and not be overwhelmed.”
When working on home office designs, such as this one in a Jackson Township model home, Bosworth and her team use decorative pieces and artwork, as well as office furniture and organizational items, to create spaces as attractive as they are functional. “These are things for offices that are still aesthetically pleasing and go with the feel of the house,” she says.
Working from home means different things to different people. Some opt to just throw everything on their kitchen table and get to work in their pajamas. Others put on an outfit they would wear to the office before getting to work in a neat and tidy space. “It’s interesting to see how everyone tackles that differently,” says Lauren Bosworth, co-owner of clothing and home furnishings boutique Laura of Pembroke. For folks who like the order and organization of a home office, Bosworth offers some tips on how to make your space pop.
Surface Pro
Bosworth says a desk is a great starting point, noting that people should consider what type of worker they are when selecting one. People who don’t have a lot of paperwork might opt for a sleeker, open design desk. “They just want a place that they can set their laptop [on] and work,” she says. If you’re in a file-heavy field, an executive-style desk with a lot of drawers for storage is ideal. “If you like to keep a really clean desktop but still have a lot of files, that’s a good way to go,” Bosworth says.
Natural World
If your home office is in a room with windows, Bosworth says few things can beat natural light, suggesting that home-workers in this situation turn their desks to face a window while they’re sitting at it. “You’re at least seeing people walking their dogs and human interaction,” she says. For those home offices without windows, she recommends task and overhead lighting. “No one wants to work in a dark space,” Bosworth says.
Familiar Feels
It’s important to make your home office a space that will motivate you to get work done. Bosworth advises using books — a novel you’re inspired by or an interesting coffee table or photography tome — to decorate the space. She says another way to ground the space is using framed photos of your family. “Even if your family’s in the next room, people just like to have a reminder of why they’re doing what they’re doing,” Bosworth says.
Chair Concerns
Comfort is key when picking a chair for your home office. If you’re used to the flexibility of an office-style chair on wheels, Bosworth says it’s a great option. But she often chooses to outfit offices with a spare, comfy dining room chair. “When you don’t have extra people over for dinner, that’s a great way to make things multifunctional and also save some money by not buying another chair,” she says.
