7 Steps to Successful Home Office Decoration
by Guest Post on Jan 27, 2011
There was a time when most bill paying, correspondence, and other family business was conducted around the kitchen table. Ah, but the times, they are a-changing. With the advent of computers and high-speed Internet, you can now use online bill pay, make and update your family budget, find a new recipe for that roast chicken, do your shopping, and conduct research on the net. Even more remarkable is the fact that many of us now work wholly or partially from home as a more efficient way to earn our ‘daily bread’. The kitchen table may no longer be sufficient to use as your office and you must look for a better solution. In the past, Mom may have had a reading nook, and sometimes Dad had a private den but with so much more activity by the whole family, you now need a real home office. Once a site has been designated you will want to make it as efficient and comfortable as possible.
On this note, here are seven tips for creating the ideal home office:
1. Who will be using your home office?
This is important for several reasons as you plan your home office decoration. Because it is important that every user feels comfortable in the office, age appropriate décor is one consideration. Maybe the kids aren’t so young now but they still need a place they can do their homework and have internet access. Or perhaps they have flown the nest and it’s more a place you or your spouse can spread out and fully indulge a new hobby.
2. Colors can be very important to your sense of well being.
Few of us function well in an all white, sterile type environment. The world around us is alive with color and each one seems to stimulate our senses in one way or another. So when choosing colors for your home office decoration scheme, consider the preferences of those who will use the office most; colors which make one feel comfortable and relaxed. Wallpaper or a fresh coat of paint is a good start. Add depth and contrast with wall art, brightly colored chair cushions, and/or carpeting.
3. Purpose, usefulness and longevity.
What you will use the office for and how necessary each item is should determine the type of furnishings you choose; how long you plan to use those items will determine cost and durability when selecting the furniture and equipment. Remember, cost is relative. The initial expenditure should be weighed against the quality and expected life of the item. Quality furniture and equipment definitely wins against shoddy workmanship and materials.
4. On the subject of furniture.
As stated in item 3, quality is important but this does not necessarily mean that you have to spend inordinate amounts of money to acquire what you need. You can buy home office desk furniture at reasonable prices without too much difficulty on the internet. Your home office decoration budget will dictate price, but your tastes in style, textures and colors will dictate your choices. Select items which are aesthetically pleasing, comfortable, easy to re-arrange, and functional. This will be even more challenging in a very small office. In those cases, more thought will be required and functionality will need to be addressed first. The items necessary to run your office efficiently do not always lend themselves easily to blending into your decorating scheme. This can be overcome though with careful arrangement.
5. Inspiration.
What inspires you most? What motivates you best to get you going? Since the purpose of the office is to allow you to do your work quickly, comfortably and efficiently, then your home office decoration scheme should promote those goals. Perhaps one wall adorned with your awards & attractively framed plaques will motivate you to achieve even higher awards. Whatever is relevant to your business or personal endeavors can be inspirational. You will have your own ideas; use them to best advantage.
6. Ambience.
Use live green or flowering plants, sound (like soft background music) and a scented candle to provide a pleasant atmosphere. An easy chair with chintz cushions, strategically placed in a corner is great when space allows
7. Let there be Light.
Your home office decoration would not be complete with proper lighting. It will be a big plus if you have a window with a pleasant view as it aids in the overall ambience but also helps alleviate eye strain. This will not be all the lighting needed though; proper lighting on or over a computer screen is a must. Overhead lighting can be decorative as well as efficient, and a floor lamp or table lamp placed by an easy chair is suggested. While these seven ideas are not all inclusive, perhaps they are enough to encourage you to get serious about planning your home office set up instead of just adding things at random. You know the old saying “Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance”? Take it seriously, as pre-planning can save you lots of future headaches (and lots of money).
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
94900 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
74292 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
71742 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
52733 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
30574 Views
Latest Articles
10 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget
A concrete patio can be a game-changer for your outdoor space. It is durable, versatile, and can be customized to fit your style. But what if you...
on Mar 25, 2025
Tips for Creating a Stunning Personalized Photo on Canvas
Order the unique beauty of a personalized photo on canvas and bring your memories to life. With a customized photo on canvas, you can transform...
on Mar 7, 2025
Best Areas to Buy Property in Singapore for Long-Term Growth
Singapore's real estate market remains one of the most stable and lucrative in the world. With limited land supply, strong governmental...
on Feb 18, 2025
Troubleshooting Excess Water in Your HVAC Secondary Condensate Drain Pan
When maintaining your air conditioning system, it is easy to overlook the condensate drain pan - until excess water starts pooling in places where...
on Jan 12, 2025
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): A Beginners Guide
By combining the advantages of stock market and real estate investing, Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, offer an alluring investment...
on Dec 19, 2024
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Best Areas to Buy Property in Singapore for Long-Term Growth
on Feb 18, 2025
Real Estate / Finance

Singapore's real estate market remains one of the most stable and lucrative in the world. With limited land supply, strong governmental...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 264
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 203
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 148
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 116
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 113
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Landscaping Boulders, Mounds (Berms)
Topsoil is imported to create mounds or berms, and often large boulders are included to further increase vertical interest. Mounding can create a...
Tankless or Instantaneous Water Heaters
On-demand water heaters regardless if they are tankless or instantaneous provide hot water as it is needed. They do not have energy losses like...
Painters Helping Residential Homeowners Learn About House Painting Preparation
Many homeowners enjoy doing it yourself projects around the house. Often times they enjoy doing this because they like the opportunity to fix up...
Grading Landscapes - Part 1 (equipment)
A tool that is useful in almost all landscaping is the rototiller for grading your yard. This tool is used for cultivating planting areas and...
Soil Fertility and Plant Food
The most important major nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Plants require these nutrients in relatively large amounts,...