For our parents, the workday ended when they left the office and headed home. Not
so today. In fact, for many Americans, working from home has become an everyday
occurrence, whether it
’s responding to e-mail late in the evening, finishing up with a special project
on their day off or telecommuting from home to the main office several days a
week as part of a
“living greener” lifestyle.
Having a segregated area in which to complete such tasks makes working from home
easier and the time spent at work more productive. When it comes to designing
the right workspace for your home, decisions should be made based upon your
home office needs and your personal sense of style. For some, the perfect
workspace is a completely separate room; for others, it might be a small corner
of a much larger living space, an unused area of the hallway, or even a closet.
Far more important than where the space is located in your home is if the space
can work for the purpose you intend it
—in other words, is it large enough to accommodate your needs as a home office?
Does it have access to power outlets and the Internet? Would you be comfortable
spending several hours a day there?
But more important than its size or location and technology accessibility, one
other question will likely always remain:
Is it possible to design a home workspace that is aesthetically pleasing while
still remaining functional?
Luckily, the answer to that one is a resounding yes.
What’s more, achieving that balance may be easier than you imagined.
Clean Lines and Modern Sensibilities: The Beauty
of Contemporary Design
A home workspace can accommodate any style, but a contemporary design seems
tailor-made for the job. Kim Shaver of Hooker Furniture thinks she knows why
that is, too.
“Contemporary designs have architectural lines that embrace simplicity, creating
a more serene and calm mindset that is conducive to productivity and
creativity,
” says Shaver.
And who can’t use more serenity and calm in their lives?
By embracing a less structured image of the traditional home office as a desk,
chair, filing cabinet and credenza configuration, you
’re able to expand your options for your workspace. You can focus on function—the need to accommodate a variety of modern technology, such as iPods, laptops,
wireless computer networks and cell phones
—along with your personal style and preferences for home design.
Sure, a home workspace is about productivity, but it’s also about complementing your lifestyle. Your home should always be your
sanctuary from the stressors of the outside world, even when you have to bring
those stressors home and focus your attention on business. A clean, modern
design can ensure you maintain the needed balance between your home as a
sanctuary and your home as a workspace.
“Contemporary home office designs give the mind room to breathe and think,” adds Shaver.
The Importance of Good Lighting and
The Right Furnishings
So, once you’ve decided on the location for your home workspace and the style of design, what
is the next step? A lot depends upon whether you need to select the furnishings
or hire a contractor for a quick remodel of your space. If you need to
reconfigure an existing living space
—say, convert an attic or basement to your needs—you’ll need to contact a licensed building contractor. If your space just needs the
right furnishings to make it work, you can go straight to your designer.
“Start with a great chair,” suggests Rob Sligh, chairman of Sligh Furniture Company. “That’s the most important piece of furniture in your home office. Find a chair that
adjusts to you; one that will be comfortable for hours. Herman Miller
’s Aeron
