5 Tricks to Create the Perfect Home Office

Interior designer and regular BDMS contributor Rebecca Hay shared with us some of her designer secrets to creating an amazing home office. Whether you're working from home or you need a beautiful place to write, read and manage your household these tips and home office essentials will have you actually wanting to spend time in the office. 

LOCATION IS KEY

The key to working from home is to select a space where you can see yourself working away from the distractions of the daily flow of traffic of your household. Ask yourself, what hours will you be working and which room would you be able to sit in and concentrate on getting work done.

GIVE YOURSELF BREATHING ROOM

When designing a home office, a rule of thumb often used by designers is to allow at least 60 inches in width and 84 inches in depth to make a workspace functional. Consider your workflow - Will you be at your desk all day, or do you often get up, move around and need a second surface to work or room to unwind in between tasks?

THINK ERGONOMICS

Choosing the correct desk and chair for your home office is incredibly important! Keep ergonomics in mind through your selection. Your desk should be wide enough for your computer and anything else you would need room to work on. The minimum desk width should be 48 inches, but a desk that is 60 inches or wider is more comfortable. Since it isn't always practical to have a desk that adjusts heights in a home office, ensure that your desk is at least 28 - 30 inches in height. Try out different chairs for size! Look for both great aesthetics and ergonomics - the standard chair should be 14 inches from seat to floor, and should be able to support your back and neck.

ORGANIZE VERTICALLY & HORIZONTALLY

Consider how you work and what you need to complete your tasks. Don't overlook storage needs as it highly impacts your productivity. Ask yourself questions like: What comes in? Where will you store it while working on it? Where will it go once it's completed? Keep current work at arms reach, on your desk, or near it. Shelving is an excellent way of organizing your work materials.

MAKE YOUR OFFICE YOUR HAPPY PLACE

The best aspect of working from home is YOU get to decide how the space looks and feels. The best way to create a comfortable office space is to give attention to personal touches and find things that inspire you. Pick out an art piece or wall paint color that makes you happy and feel creative!

ADD GREENERY & LIGHT

A great way to brighten up your home office is to have your desk facing a window if you have one. Facing a window will ensure that you get to be part of the sunny days and even motivate you to work better so that you get to go outside and experience it for yourself. Also, adding green life in your home office, a single plant will do, will breathe some life into the space, and help you want to stay longer.

Quick Home Office Essentials for Instant Beautification

While some home office updates may require a longer project, here are a few things that Rebecca recommends that can amp up your office style right now:

WALL DECALS

Wall decals are an inexpensive way to give any room a little more character without breaking the bank and one project you can tackle yourself!

DESK CHAIRS

Having a good desk chair is EVERYTHING! Don't forget: ergonomics counts just as much as aesthetics!

TOSS PILLOWS

Add some personality and comfort with fun toss pillows. This simple accessory allows you to make bold color or pattern choices in any space.

DESK LAMPS

Let there be light! Don't forget to get task lighting to elevate the look of your desk space and light up your work!

Interior design: Rebecca Hay  Photography: Mike Chajecki

Rebecca Hay is principal of Rebecca Hay Designs. The celebrated designer is known for her work and appearances on various acclaimed HGTV shows. With a focus on quality and craftsmanship, Rebecca and her team design beautiful, functional spaces, creating a signature blend of traditional and contemporary interiors. @rebeccahaydesigns