In the modern world, much of our workforce operates from the comfort of their homes. With this in mind, many property owners have renovated their properties to include a home office to attract new tenants or potential homeowners. Whether you’re decorating your home office to use yourself or to attract potential buyers, here is the 101 on decorating your home office.
Color scheme
When it comes to choosing the colors for your home office, consider color psychology and select colors that promote focus and calmness. Neutral tones like whites, grays, and soft blues serve as a soft base for you to incorporate pops of color in your decor. An ideal home office should feel calm while still emulating your personality.
Opt for ergonomic furniture
If you work from home, you’ll be spending extended periods of time in your home office. Instead of wasting your money on cheap and basic office furniture, consider investing in a few staple pieces. Ergonomic furniture is designed to support function and comfort, lowering your risk of joint pain, back problems, poor blood pressure, arthritis, and more. Ergonomic furniture may be slightly more expensive, but it ensures your body stays healthy as you spend over 8 hours a day in the same position.
Some key ergonomic or gaming staples to invest in include an office chair, keyboard, mouse, and mousepad, headsets, as well as a monitor or laptop stand to keep your neck and back straight. If you find that at the end of the day, your neck or back feels sore, investing in better furniture can make all the difference.
Art and decor
An office without any decor can feel cold and uninviting; on the other hand, an overly cluttered office doesn’t help with concentration. The key to a well-designed office is a balance between showing off your personality and making the space comfortable to work in while remaining professional.
When selecting decor for your office space, look for artwork and knickknacks that inspire you and resonate with your interests. This could include photographs of nature, art prints from your favorite artist, or other methods of decorating that appeal to you. Even things you think wouldn’t work in an office can be displayed in a way that’s attractive and professional. For example, if you’re a collector of board games or vinyl records, consider displaying them in a clean way in your office.
Add some greenery
Incorporating natural elements into your office decor is another necessity. Whether you have a green thumb or haven’t ever taken care of a plant before, adding some greenery to your home office should be implemented. Not only do plants look beautiful, but they actually improve air quality and boost your mood.
Some easy plants to buy for your office include Dracaena Trifasciata (snake plant), Monstera deliciosa (monstera), Pothos varieties, and Spathiphyllum (peace lily). These plants are great for first-time plant parents and do well in various light conditions. Just make sure you check out the care instructions for your new plant online to help you keep it alive and luscious.
Upgrade your lighting
Lighting is another important aspect of decorating your home office. You need sufficient lighting to reduce the strain on your eyes, especially if you spend most of your workday looking at a computer. Integrate a mix of task lighting, overhead lighting, and natural light if possible. You can also invest in Smart lighting fixtures so you can adjust the color and brightness of your various lighting fixtures and make adjustments as needed, right from your phone or tablet. One of our favorites is the Philips Hue line of smart lightbulbs.
Organizational Fixtures
Like we mentioned earlier, you want to avoid your home office feeling too cultured, making organization planning essential. Consider what you use daily during your workday. Do you handle a lot of files? Do you need a board to organize your ideas? Are you color-driven and use lots of materials like colored pens and labels? These are all important things to consider when planning how to keep your space organized.
Consider hanging up wall shelves to store office materials, books, and some knickknacks. Floating shelves help you save space and add a modern look to your office. The Container Store also has lots of organizational furniture to check out to help you maintain a clean and organized look.
Cable Management
There’s nothing more frustrating than feeling like your office is being taken over by cables. With so much technology used in our daily work lives, cable management is becoming increasingly important. When planning your home office space, keep in mind your various cables and cords and how you’ll organize them and keep them out of sight. Consider using cable clips or sleeves to maintain a tidy and clutter-free look while avoiding tripping over cables every time you move around.
Soundproofing
If you are involved in a lot of client-facing interactions or important meetings on a daily basis, consider soundproofing your office space if possible. If your home office is prone to noise disturbances from living on a busy street, having kids at home, or having pets at home who love to bark, install some sound-absorbing panels or heavy curtains to help reduce the noise levels. If soundproofing your office isn’t an option for you because you live in a rental, investing in high-quality on-ear headphones with noise-canceling capabilities is your next best thing.
Creating your dream home office
By incorporating thoughtful and creative decor into your home office, you can transform it into a space that not only supports your work but also reflects your personality and aspirations. Whether it’s through a calming color scheme, ergonomic furniture, personal artwork, or the gentle presence of plants, each element plays a crucial role in curating an environment that fosters productivity, creativity, and a sense of well-being. By implementing these ideas and tailoring them to your unique preferences, you’re not just decorating a room; you’re crafting a sanctuary where your professional pursuits can thrive amidst an atmosphere of comfort and inspiration.
Ashley Nielsen
Ashley Nielsen earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration Marketing at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is a freelance writer who loves to share knowledge about general business, marketing, lifestyle, wellness, and financial tips. During her free time, she enjoys being outside, staying active, reading a book, or diving deep into her favorite music.