8 Tips For Decorating Your Home Office

By Jade Blackmore

A well-organized and tastefully decorated home office helps you concentrate on your work and makes your day more pleasant.

Instead of wasting time looking for papers and office supplies on a cluttered desk or leaving your office longer than you should each day because it’s boring or uncomfortable, configure your office in a practical but attractive way.

Before you even think about what desk to buy, make sure you choose an appropriately-sized workspace. Don’t cram your office in a tiny annex under the staircase or in a corner of the laundry room. You need a place with some natural light, and enough space to add bookshelves, storage trunks, and perhaps a small sofa if clients will visit.

Chalkboards and Message Boards

You may have all your schedules and business contact information on your computer, but you can brainstorm ideas and write down new information where you can easily see it – on a chalkboard. There are small, standalone chalkboards for your desk, hanging chalkboards with coat hooks and sets of small chalkboards that can be used as décor or for messages.

The cork bulletin boards you used in college have matured. You can now tack up notes and inspirational sayings on a linen message board with a solid wood frame.

Decorative Trunks

Pack up your archives in a trunk or large wood or brass box that doubles as an accent piece in your office. Trunks and boxes come in various sizes, so you’ll be able to find one to fit your home office.

Choose Decorations and Knic-Knacs that Inspire You

Including a few carefully-chosen decorations will give your office a sense of style and make it more fun to work in. There are lots of fashionable choices for everyday office items – picture frames, bookends, baskets and pencil holders, that you won’t find at your local office superstore. After all, you’ll be happier if you’re surrounded by a few reminders of the things and people you love.

Put a figurine or memorabilia on your desk next to your computer, or keep your books in order with bookends made of cast iron or antique-copper finished chess pieces. Display family photos in a brown leather, cement or crystal picture frame, or place ceramic bowls, plants or pottery on an accent table.

Arrange Lighting to Improve Your Office

Place (or rearrange your desk) to place it near a window. Align your desk to the south or north so light doesn’t create a shadow while you are working during the day.

Natural light from a nearby window will help reduce eye strain and headaches from working on a computer all day. Make sure your computer is positioned so there’s no glare from windows and use curtains to filter out some of the sun. Use a desk lamp to illuminate tasks or prevent eyestrain when you work after dark.

Add two small lamps to either side of your work desk for extra lighting at night. (Matching lamps aren’t only for end tables.) It will improve your mood, too.

Brighten Bare Walls

Use wall mirrors to create the illusion of more space. Starburst-shaped mirrors, or ones outlined with polished nickel or a gold leaf, give your office an elegant appeal that will make you feel better while you work, and make it easy to check your hair before you head out to an onsite meeting.

Frame family photos or mementos and hang them on your wall for a personal touch or buy abstract art to give yourself something interesting to look at during the day. Paintings, vintage maps, and framed photography can also act as a conversational ice-breaker before discussing business with a client.

Use Storage to Make the Most of Your Space

Organizing supplies in an attractive but easily accessible manner turns a hastily-put-together computer nook into a professional-looking office. Using both vertical and horizontal storage helps reduce clutter and make the space look more attractive.

Floating shelves, filing cabinets, and baskets will help you keep reference material within reach without taking up too much space. If you don’t have the space for traditional bookshelves, try easily movable wire-tier shelving units, two-level bookshelves, or spindle shelves.

A tall narrow bookshelf with adjustable shelves is ideal for tight office spaces but can be used anywhere to relieve clutter.

Eliminate Clutter with Baskets

You don’t need to grab the nearest cup for a pencil holder. Add pizzazz to your office with a decorative container or box that provides form as well as function. Use baskets, to hold outgoing snail mail, manuscripts or other items. Design your office the way you would plan any other room in your house – to fit your personality and make your life easier.

There are plenty of containers and baskets in all sizes and price ranges to keep paper clips, rubber bands, and other small items out of sight but within reach.

Don’t Be Afraid to Reorganize Your Office

If you’ve already set up your office space, a little reorganizing can go a long way. Clean up clutter with boxes and floating shelves, paint walls a lively color, and add a few colorful lithographs or framed photos to your desk or wall. And replacing a worn or uncomfortable chair will do wonders for your back-and your productivity.