Having a home office can be a huge convenience. Having a home office that is warm and inviting is a must. Here is my journey.
You will need to take your time and envision your new work space. I can’t say enough about how important it is to plan accordingly before executing your plan. If you are like me and love being home quite naturally you will want to design a space you love that will at minimum allow for productivity.
Keep in mind the space does not need to follow the theme or colors of your home. Think of your office as an off-site space.. When it came to designing and curating pieces for my home office it took me 3 months just to formulate ideas. Key questions I asked myself were-what did I see as an overall theme for the office? What color scheme did I want? I did not necessarily make a vision board nor did I mind map my ideas. It all began with a color scheme. For paint colors I didn’t want stark white with white walls. I envisioned color schemes that are more on trend but won’t be boring 5 years from now. I selected Agreeable Grey by Sherwin Williams. It’s easy on the eyes and doesn’t feel heavy. Its also best to know the square footage of your room to avoid overspending on paint. I pondered what type of furniture I wanted in the space. I am blessed enough to have an office the size of a studio apartment. I didn’t opt for the typical computer desk and swivel chair. I knew I wanted a small conference room feel so I decided to go with a dining table in place of a desk. That’s right; you read that correctly. Did you know some dining tables are small enough to pass as a desk? But some tables are just bulky especially if they are made of wood or other materials specifically for dining . I wanted the space to be sleek, modern, yet, cozy and inviting. Keep in mind functionality is a must when planning your home office because it needs to flow and not only look great but you also need a space that lends itself to productivity. The dining table I selected seats 4 but I opted to streamline my seating choosing 2 chairs for the table.
What I worked hard not to do was clutter the space. Dècor is important but, keep in mind less is always best. It’s not comfortable to have a office so cluttered that you can’t find what you need. I also have pets so seating for them was important as well. If you are working within a budget stick to the budget by only getting the essentials first then allocating your remaining budget for dècor. I gave myself a budget that allowed for all of the important items first.
You may wonder what are some of the key items needed. Well, we know a desk and
chair are essential. Make sure the desk is functional. Ensure your work chair is comfortable and ergonomic because you may need to sit for long periods of time. Shelving is also important because you may need to showcase items or display books. I believe file cabinets are a bit antiquated since most information can be stored on your i-cloud. Remember to subscribe to a reputable online security application like Norton. Sensitive information won’t only be safe due to encryption but your information is stored all in one place. Streamline as much as you can to avoid losing important information and this will allow you to function in a virtually “paperless” environment.
Ample seating is also important if your profession calls for outside visitors. You want people to feel comfortable. If your office is small it’s wise to have at least 1 extra chair. In my office because I do have the space I decided to add a leather Chesterfield loveseat and 2 matching leather Chesterfield chairs.
Leave no stone unturned as you plan for your office. Remember important items first. Perhaps having a television can wait if it means that you pay a little more for your work desk. Ask yourself what you can and can’t live without. It’s YOUR personal space so, only you will know how to address your needs. If you need a printer perhaps you can skip something like a gaming chair. You will have a lot of decisions to make. But at all costs don’t waste the budget!
When I became inspired to formulate ideas for my office I knew I wanted a black and white motif. I love black and white together. Not only is it sexy but, it’s timeless. I also love Missoni so I selected items for my office bathroom first and worked around the selected Missoni: Keith pattern first. Most people would have begun with the main seating area first. I chose to go about it differently. Once I ordered the Missoni items, I selected the Chesterfield seating next. It’s classic and the style never gets boring. Nail heads on the seating only adds to its allure. I kept black and white in mind and after selecting seating. I gave great consideration to what type of desk I wanted. Everything began to take shape seamlessly. Once all of the furniture was selected the fun began. Dècor! I love curating dècor and one designer immediately came to mind and that was Jonathan Adler. I love how Jonathan’s pieces are quirky and stand out. I wanted pieces from his ‘Vice’ collection. The jars (canisters) are fun and come in a variety of colors and they all have things that depict guilty pleasures. He spared no one’s skeletons. There is something for everyone. The price range can be under $50 for tiny jars up to $200 for the larger canisters. For the medium size jars I purchased they retailed at about $140 each. I love them.
What’s your vice?
Please visit: www.jonathanadler.com
No office space would be complete without books. Books are essential not only for possible research but, for conversation starters. I had one requisite and that was to surround myself with books from all genre’s and authors. I love Octavia Butler, Judy Blume, and Julia Lee. Let’s just say I will read anything. It was important to to have unique coffee table books too. Everything from Rihanna’s coffee table book of all her magazine covers to AD (Architectual Digest) coffee table book celebrating their 100 years. The book has everything from old gardens to new architecture.
Remember to showcase your favorite art or moments. I am a huge autograph collector.
Please visit www.mission.com
Entry to my home office
You will have to decide what works for you. I
opted for a Mrs PAC Man arcade table top machine. Why? Nostalgia. I loved playing PAC Man, I couldn’t resist. It may seem silly to some but, when I have a moment I always play and try to beat my last score. If you like games and can’t afford a retro arcade table top game, go for board games. Everyone loves Scrabble or Monopoly. Use ingenuity and your creativity and make you space tailored-fit for you. Oh, don’t forget a lock of some sort.
People love to snoop in home offices. Privacy is a must!
Happy Holidays from BLACK-IN-BOZEMAN!
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