In 2022 a lot of us have the luxury of working from home due to the increased flexibility and adaptability of workplaces over the past couple of years. Working from home has its perks and benefits, but it can also have some downfalls if you haven’t created a functional and organised sanctuary that inspires you and allows you to feel productive throughout the workday. Here at Homemaker The Valley we have a wide range of retailers that can assist with finding you the perfect furniture and home organisation pieces to create a beautiful home office for you. Below are our top things to consider and keep in mind when designing your work from home space.
Organisation Is Key
Organisation is recommended in all areas of the home, but it is essential in the home office space. To ensure you know where all your files, stationery and electronics are and to allow for easy accessibility, a few systems need to be put in place. We recommend choosing a desk that has at least two drawers to allow you to store your stationery and notepads within easy reach. A drawer unit or filing cabinet is also important for filing away those important paper copies of not only work documents, but kid’s school papers, home related paperwork, car insurance and technology and appliance manuals. Having all the paper storage in the home in a dedicated section of the home office ensures things stay organised and encourages family members to put things back in their designated areas. To avoid the desktop becoming cramped and messy, we recommend investing in a desk organiser that can hold pens, a calculator, stapler, tape, business cards and any tech you reach for throughout the day. Next time you visit Homemaker The Valley we suggest heading into Howard’s Storage World where you will find so many amazing and innovative products that make keeping an organised home office a breeze.
Keep It Inspiring
Although home offices are predominantly used for tasks such as work, schoolwork, and life admin, it is important to still create an inspiring space. We are firm believers that when your environment is beautiful and inspiring it entices you to be in the space and encourages a more effective workflow. Make sure to add some colour to your home office through items such as a bold artwork piece from Oz Design Furniture to adorn one of the walls. Or add a few decorative vignettes throughout the space on open shelving, the top of your desk or a filing cabinet. Pair items such as a colourful vase, greenery and a beautiful smelling candle with a framed family photo that brings you joy. We recommend keeping the home office as light and bright as possible and avoid using too many dark colours. Stick to a neutral colour palette with pops of your favourite colour such as turquoise blue, sunshine yellow or forest green. Smell can also play a role in how a space makes you feel, so be sure to light a calming candle in a fresh scent that can encourage tranquillity and productivity.
Choose Beautiful, Yet Functional Furniture
There are a few key pieces of furniture you require in a home office to ensure it is a functional space. The desk is the first and main furniture item that needs to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing as it is the centrepiece for the space and where the magic happens! When selecting a desk, ensure you allow for a large enough desktop area to house not only your laptop, but a desk organiser, table lamp, notepads, other tech items and enough space to not feel cramped and cluttered. We love either a beautiful, crisp white desk or a rich timber tone found in stores such as Domayne, Adairs and Freedom. As mentioned above, we recommend including a drawer unit or storage unit in your home office to allow for organisation and storage of office supplies and paperwork. We love straying away from traditional ‘office’ furniture for this area as you can use a buffet or chest of drawers for this purpose, and they are often more gorgeous and unique! Choose a great quality storage unit from stores such as Oz Design Furniture or Early Settler that have unique elements like brass knobs, timber fretwork or statement legs. We recommend browsing through our beautiful stores and seeing what furniture pieces could work in your home office to make it feel like not only a functional, but inspiring room of the house.
If you find the perfect piece for your home office at one of our retailers, be sure to share it with us on Instagram! You can tag us in your stories or feed posts @homemaker_the_valley. We look forward to seeing you in the centre soon!
