Built-ins for storage, a free standing or built-in desk, a great desk chair, and seating for guests are the basic necessities for any home office. The style in which you choose to execute them is up to you. Custom built-ins behind a desk should have lateral files to organize and store paperwork and other cabinets below for heavier items that need to stay out of sight. Top lit upper cabinets can have glass doors for displaying awards, fun accessories from travels, or books while keeping the dust away. Open shelves are great for binders or items that are used every day for easy access. The layout of your office should reflect your work habits and needs. If two people are using one office the individual spaces should be cohesive yet designed for each person’s requirements. This is a great design challenge for an interior designer to tackle—taking each person’s wants into consideration and creating a space for both to work comfortably. 
Maximizing the space you have is the most important thing to think about. If you have a return wall in addition to the focal back office wall that can accommodate more cabinets, corner desks maximize unused space and take up less room. Floating a desk in the middle of the room with your back to the built-ins is a great use of space as well, leaving plenty of room to have seating for guests on the other side of the desk. Traditional wood paneled walls, Contemporary wallpaper, or a faux paint treatment can each bring a different design element to a home office. Two comfortable upholstered chairs and a nice rug will add some warmth to the room to balance the heaviness of traditional wood cabinets or more contemporary glossy finished cabinets. Recessed cans around the perimeter of the room will provide task lighting to work in your new office space. A great chandelier or interesting track lighting can add elegance and interest to an otherwise bare ceiling. The sky is the limit when it comes to designing an office. Find your style and add personal touches to make the space your own.
Leave a Reply