Explore inspiring home office ideas with Great Northern Builders‘ blog, featuring stylish designs and functional upgrades to enhance your work-from-home experience. With work from home here to stay, considering your home office setup is more relevant now than ever. A laptop set on a couple of throw pillows on your couch just won’t do for when you have to hunker down and be productive.
It may be time to consider setting up a more permanent home office or improve on the one you already have. Setting yourself up with some great workplace amenities can make your work from home experience one of comfort and efficiency.
Home Office Ideas #1: Make your desk fit your space
Your desk will be the centerpiece of your home office setup, so it is important that it fits your needs. Your desk can help you maximize the space that you have and make you feel in command of your own workspace.
A custom, built-in desk can add beauty and functionality to your home office while making efficient use of space. With a custom built desk, you won’t find yourself trying to jerry-rig an old desk into a nook where it just doesn’t fit. You can also ensure a cohesive aesthetic for your home office by choosing from a number of beautiful hardwood surfaces.
Pulling up a chair to your new desk will always be a satisfying experience when you are no longer confined by a cramped or awkward office space. Whether your setup includes three monitors and a drafting table, or just a landing pad for your laptop, you should have all the room you need to be productive.
Home Office Ideas #2: Build cabinets and shelves
If your desk alone doesn’t have the room for all of your additional documents, office supplies, and other items that clutter your workspace, adding cabinets or shelves can create extra room while building the look of your home office. Depending on the needs of your job, you could keep it simple with a few desk drawers, or opt for a full file cabinet and well organized uppers.
Just like a chef has their “mise en place,” any efficient worker should have their “things in place” to create a well-oiled workspace. Installing built-in cabinets or shelves above your desk can be great use of vertical space, while making sure that you have a place for all of the tools you need to be successful.
With custom built storage, you can match the style of your desk and even combine elements of your office to create a cohesive feel.
Home Office Ideas #3: Convert an unused bedroom
An unused bedroom makes a great location to set up your home office. If the laptop at the kitchen table or the desk in the living room aren’t giving you enough privacy or space, taking over a bedroom is the perfect way to get yourself a more permanent setup.
The recent Shed Some Light project showcased a remarkable transformation as a homeowner converted an unused bedroom into a vibrant office space. A stunning green board and batten wall was installed, serving as an elegant accent and providing a sophisticated backdrop for the office desk. This upgrade not only maximized functionality but also infused the room with a fresh, inviting ambiance that perfectly complements the homeowner’s work-from-home lifestyle.
Most bedrooms will already have windows, a closet, and plenty of floorspace for a desk and chair. Depending on the size of the room, you might even be able to leave the bed. Either way, you should have plenty of space to add the amenities you need, while gaining the privacy you won’t get anywhere else in the house.
Home Office Ideas #4: Add a daybed
If you like to have some comfort in your home office, consider adding a daybed to your space. This can be a great place to take a short break during your work day, or a more relaxing spot to do some reading or take a phone call if your job requires you to step away from the computer now and again.
A daybed in your home office also allows you to maintain the use of the room as a living space or spare bedroom when you have guests. Overall it will make your workspace more cozy, inviting, and functional.
Home Office Ideas #5: Seek out natural light
We all work better when we can get a bit of sunlight. When looking for the best place to set up your home office, make sure it has easy access to windows. Keep track of which rooms have the most sun exposure and get the best light, especially in the morning and afternoon.
With lots of natural light in your office, you can take advantage of the fresh air in the summer and the precious daylight hours in the winter. It will be easy to stay in good spirits all year long.
Home Office Ideas #6: Incorporate technology into your office setup
Electronics are an ever-present element of our working lives. When designing your home office, think about the ways you use technology at work and make dedicated spaces for these things in your new setup.
Cables are a messy yet necessary part of all of our devices. Installing cable management trays or cutting routes into your surfaces can organize and hide the unsightly mass of wires needed to run much of your equipment.
Ensuring that you have the appropriate number of outlets near your desk can go a long way in avoiding the tangle of power strips that sit below so many workers. New outlets can be installed where necessary, even right into your desk.
Ethernet and HDMI ports can be installed right into your walls if you require high-speed internet or connection to a larger display. Or consider mounting your speakers on the walls or shelves to free up valuable space on your desk.
Thinking about taking on a new home office?
Contact Great Northern Builders today to see how we can help you build the perfect space for you to spend the work hours.
