How to Create the Home Office of Your Dreams
July 20, 2018
Whether you’re running a home business or desire a space where you can occasionally work from home and escape to read or budget, your home office should be a place where you can focus.
Make sure this room is designed to both inspire you, and yet fit the practicalities of your job.
Here are things to keep in mind when creating the home office of your dreams:
Location
If you choose to build with New Tradition Homes, you may be designing something from scratch, however, most start with one of our floor plans and adjust accordingly to fit their needs.
But before you even consider the floor plan, make a list of things you want in your home office space. It may include requests like:
- Natural light
- A specific view
- Away from the kids’ rooms
- Close to the kitchen
- On the first floor
With your list laid out for this room and the others in your home, go through our floor plans to see which one closely fits your wants and needs.
If you choose the floor plan first, then you’ll be trying to fit your life into a specific house. Instead, choose a house that fits your life.
Then, once you select your floor plan, make the custom adjustment requests that will enhance your peace and productivity in the space.
For example, what size room do you need to accomplish your work? While a small desk might do, if you’d also like to have clients over for a visit or would like to use it as a reading room, you’ll want a larger area that can fit your desk, as well as custom bookshelves, a couch, coffee table, and comfortable chairs.
Similarly, while the room you choose for your home office may be close to the kitchen in our floor plan, maybe it’s too close to the family room where the kids will be watching television causing you unnecessary distractions.
If that’s the case, ask if you can manipulate the floor plan, maybe adding a guest room, bathroom, or closet as a bumper between your office and the loudest parts of your home. But, also keep in mind that any changes, while possible, will alter your budget, so gather all the facts and weigh the pros and cons before making a final decision.
Furniture & Ambience
Before purchasing furniture, decide what features you need and want when getting down to business. Do you need a room with storage space? How about lighting or miscellaneous cabinets? Or an extra couch or table?
You don’t want your space to feel too cluttered, but you also don’t want to limit productivity by not having what you need, so focus on your workflow and build from there.
Don’t forget to think about the temperature of the room. Make sure that the heater or air conditioner will keep your space comfortable. Today, programmable thermostats and other HVAC accessories can ensure you’re happy inside regardless of the weather outside. The addition of ceiling fans can also ensure your comfort while adding to the decor.
Scent affects our mood and mindset, so stay intentional when adding candles and incense. Select these accessories with your personal preference and its intended use in mind as some scents are more relaxing, while others are invigorating. In this space, a combination may be just what you need.
The lighting in a room also makes a huge difference. A well-lit room will make you feel more awake and inspired. And, in addition to lamps, mirrors will enhance this feature as it will reflect natural light, limiting the artificial lighting you’ll need during the day.
There are, however, others who like to work in darker spaces or specifically need the space to be dark to accomplish their tasks. In that case, consider adding blackout shades and aim for a north-facing room with limited window access.
Find what fits your work needs best and go from there.
Get Inspired in Your Space
Your home office should be a reflection of you. For some, bright colored walls will energize them while others find inspiration with neutral tones. There is no right or wrong answer, but choosing a color that energizes you is key.
Grey has been a recent trend for home offices. It adds a neutral, yet modern appeal that keeps many focused and inspired. And, it will complement any other colors you want to bring into the room, whether it be pops of yellow and purple or more subtle blues and browns.
While clutter can help inspire the mind, it can also distract from focus and creativity. For this reason, when you work from home, everything should have a home.
If clutter does not alter your ability to concentrate, then you’ll be just fine. But if your partner needs to work from home and requires a more organized space to concentrate, then you can easily put everything away without shoveling papers and knickknacks into random desk drawers.
Still in the planning stages? Create a vision board of your dream home office. A vision board consists of photos and words that keep you inspired and constantly reminds your subconscious what you’re working toward. The more vivid of a vision you have, the more likely you will be able to bring your dream office to life.
Did you see a desk in a magazine that would be perfect for your new space? Add it to your vision board? Were you selecting paint colors for your bedroom, but find the ideal swatch for the office? Add it to the board as well.
While a vision board is a great way to harness all of your ideas and help bring them to fruition, it doesn’t work for everyone. Maybe you have a color or a feeling in mind, but need direction from an expert to pull everything together. Then this is the perfect time to reach out to our
Design Center. Your workspace should revolve around your needs and wants and we can help you reach this goal.
So, are you ready to build a home office and have a space that fits your work and personality? Let’s get creative and find a solution that will allow you to finally get down to business.
