Now more than ever before, people from all different walks of life are choosing to work from home rather than in a traditional office setting. What may have seemed like a temporary situation at the beginning of 2020 has become a new way of life for so many in 2021, which means that setting up a make-shift desk on the dining room table isn’t going to cut it in the long run. If creating a stylish yet functional home office or revamping your current one has you feeling overwhelmed, the design experts at Sam Levitz Furniture are here to help. Check out these simple tips to make designing your perfect home office a breeze.

Get Rid of Clutter

What good is a home office if the space is not functional? Before you begin investing in new decor, you must get rid of the excess clutter in your office space that can inhibit the overall appearance and practicality of the room. While this step may seem like a daunting task, particularly if you have a lot of junk to sort through, it’s an important step that will give you a blank slate to build upon later. To ensure that your office is as comfortable and functional as possible, strive to only keep the items that you need, use, or love. Everything else can be donated or tossed. Getting rid of clutter is the key to creating an office that feels spacious and boosts productivity.

Stay Organized

Once your home office is clean and clutter-free, it’s time to think of the needs of the space. First and foremost, your home office should have an appropriate place for you to work: a desk and an office chair. Be sure not to overcrowd the surface area of your desk with decorations and knick-knacks. Instead, keep it open by pairing it with a simple table lamp. You’ll appreciate the ability to move freely with plenty of room for your laptop, papers, and office supplies. Along with a desk and an office chair, don’t forget to include a place to organize and store your office supplies. Consider bringing in a filing cabinet, bookshelves, or baskets to keep everything from papers to crafts neatly tucked away while still being easily accessible when you need them.

Bring in Color

Just because you’ll be working in your home office doesn’t mean that it has to be boring. To ensure your office space is visually intriguing it’s important to incorporate a pop of color. One way to accomplish this tastefully without overwhelming the space is to keep the walls and furniture of your office neutral (think creams, grays, whites, and tans). Then, bring the room to life with one or two accent colors strategically sprinkled throughout the space. Artwork, lamps, curtain panels, and area rugs can all liven up your home office with cool blues or warm oranges to transform your work area from dull to vibrant in an instant.

Personalize It

If nothing else, your home office should be a reflection of your likes and interests. After all, you will be the person who uses it the most. If you look around the room and don’t notice anything that makes you smile, piques your interest, or is meaningful to you, it’s time to make some changes. The good news is there are no rules when it comes to designing a space that you’ll be proud to call your own. Consider painting the walls your favorite color, displaying photographs of your loved ones, and even decorating with items that portray your interests, such as musical instruments or souvenirs from your travels. It won’t take much to pull together a personalized home office with a few thoughtful details. 

Make it Comfy

When the time comes to curate an office space in your home, people tend to focus primarily on the appearance or functionality of the room, but neglect to consider how the space will make them feel. Your home office shouldn’t just look great, it should also be comfortable. Investing in furnishings that add to the comfort of your home office is an effective way to keep you focused while you work and improve your productivity. To help make your home office as comfortable as possible, be sure to bring in a chair that you’ll be happy to sit in for extended periods of time, or accent chairs if you’ll be meeting with clients in person. Likewise, a plush area rug can make all the difference in making a cold, bare floor cozy, warm, and inviting.

Light It Up

Few things can enhance the overall appearance and functionality of your home office like adding in the right light fixtures. Rather than relying solely on one ambient light source that could be harsh or overbearing in your office, it’s best to layer several sources of light throughout the space for a polished, balanced effect. To incorporate a combination of task and accent light fixtures in your office, start by choosing a table lamp that will complement your office desk while properly illuminating your work space. If a table lamp alone is not enough to brighten the entire room, floor lamps and recessed lighting are great options to effortlessly add brightness while keeping the space intimate and welcoming. If you’re fortunate enough to have a large window in your office, be sure to take advantage of the natural light by choosing subtle window treatments. When your home office is well-lit with a variety of light sources, the space is sure to feel as good as it looks.

Add Houseplants

It’s no secret that greenery can instantly elevate virtually any room in your home, no matter what its size or style may be. Once your home office is furnished and decorated with the essential office decor, look to add a houseplant, or two, to bring everything together in a thoughtful manner. Whether you choose to hang a snake plant in a bare corner, sprinkle succulents on a bookshelf, or even opt for an artificial eucalyptus on a side table, plants are a must-have in any contemporary office setting.

Everyone deserves a place to work that is both comfortable and attractive. With these practical steps and the help of the friendly team at Sam Levitz Furniture, you can create a stylish home office in as little as one weekend. Stop by our convenient showroom location or contact us to learn more about our unique home furnishings and décor styles today!