Decorate for a glamorous home office

If there is one thing that I enjoy more than anything else, it's being able to work from home. I love what I do, but being able to get up in the morning and walk to my office is the cherry on top of a very delicious chocolate cake!

 

While wishful thinking for some and a slight possibility for others, advances in technology and communication mean that many can make the decision to set up a home office. Working from home is a joy but you have to set yourself limits and goals.

Office space

You will need a space to set up your home office - the bigger the better. This could be a spare room, a guest bedroom, a corner of your lounge, even a Wendy House in the garden. Whatever space you have needs to be large enough to accommodate everything you need for day-to-day operation.

Whatever space you choose for your home office, it needs to be reasonably separate from your living areas, so as to create a work environment that allows you to concentrate and get stuck in.

Reception area

If you are going to seeing clients, or they need to visit your home office, it is best to set up a small reception area. As with any business, first impression counts. Whether you are handling administration for clients, offering manicures or beauty treatments, a reception will set the tone.

 

Home Office furniture

Probably the first piece of furniture that you will invest in will be a desk. There are no rules here - spoil yourself. Look for a desk that matches the decor that you have decided upon and feel free to be as feminine or functional as you wish.

ABOVE and BELOW : Perfect for a small office space, a white or ivory desk will provide form and function for a home office without making the room feel cramped. It's also much easier to decorate an office that has white furniture - any colour goes! Where more than one person will occupy the office space use light furniture for a bright and airy working space.

White office furniture works well with any colour and colour can be added to walls to create a bold backdrop, or painted white for a space that is simple yet contemporary.

 

ABOVE and BELOW: A pair of trestles, or a small drawers or cabinets, can easily and affordably be transformed into a casual office space. You can buy trestles (or sawhorses) at many hardware stores or timber merchants. A cheap option for a desk top is to use a hollow core door painted with a couple of coats of gloss enamel.

 

 

ABOVE: Two bookcases topped off with a countertop and high stools create a mini home office that has plenty of storage.

BELOW: A wall-mounted countertop provides a hideaway working area that is easily contained below a staircase.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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