There are so many great things about working from home, regardless of how often, or when you are able to do so. First, you can work in your pajamas, and who doesn’t want to do that?
Second, your commute is from your bedroom to your office space, freeing up all that time that would otherwise be spent in traffic (or the shower).
And third, you can create a space that is entirely yours and reflects your own aesthetic and preferences. Having spent a considerable amount of time working from home, here are some furniture and décor ideas to help you be as productive as possible in your space and love it at the same time.
Desk
Many people think that a desk is just a table and that any surface will do, but I beg to differ. Many moons ago, I had visions of an all glass and white office space, so bought a glass desk. Now, if glass is your thing, I don’t blame you, because it’s pretty. But, if you intend on spending any time working on that glass desk, I must warn you that keeping it clean will be a daily challenge; as will your ability to ignore the multiple cords and cables sitting under that desk that are needed to power your work station. That’s why I’m a huge fan of wooden desks. They often provide some sort of storage, do a great job of hiding cables, and are much easier to keep clean than glass desks.
Writing desks like this one from Casey are perfect for smaller spaces or to keep a clean, modern look; and its single drawer is perfect for stashing things like a pad of paper and pens. Better yet, use it for its intended purpose, which is to keep your keyboard and mouse out of sight when not in use, and easily accessible when you’re in work mode.
If you have a little more space, or simply need more surface area on which to work, you can combine two writing desks to create a nook that is super conducive to productivity. Put your computer on one table, and use the other for writing notes, drawing plans, sketching designs, or heck, even doing crafts. And in the corner, add a small end table to create a cohesive space.
The key here is to choose furniture from a collection that is modular, like the Casey Collection, otherwise your end table might not be the right height, or fit with the aesthetic you are trying to create.
File Cabinets
If storage is something you need in your office space, a filing cabinet is your friend. In my home office setup I have two, and honestly don’t know what I’d do without them. Between the two of them I’ve filed everything from the ridiculously adorable short story I wrote in grade 3 (“ … and the gost clanked his chan so I jumpet out ov bed in mi pajames …” … I wasn’t the best speller back in the day), to my taxes and all my client files.
In my personal opinion, I think filing cabinets with an added top drawer are ideal as they provide ample space for stashing all sorts of office supplies, effectively keeping them out of sight when not in use. Again, modular systems like the Casey Collection are great when designing your home office space because you won’t have to worry about whether or not the filing cabinet you choose will fit under your writing desk.
Hutch
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f you’ve set up your desk or desks against a wall, another great way to add extra storage, and to tie everything in together is with a matching wall hutch. Not only can you display photos, art, or special trinkets on a wall hutch, but you can use it to display your favourite, or most inspirational books, as well as stash smaller office supplies in its drawer. Heck, even if you don’t have any wall space on which to secure a hutch, you can just pop one right on top of your desk to create a functional, efficient, and organized space.
Chair
I’m sure it comes as no surprise that a chair is an absolute necessity in any home office space. The modular Casey Collection also offers chair options that match the rest of their office furniture like a task chair on castors. I’m partial to chairs on castors, simply because I they tend to be adjustable, which is a great feature for taller individuals like myself, and also because I like to swivel around my office while I work–typically choreographed to music.
Décor
Once you’ve got the basics under control and have created a functional home office space for yourself, it’s time to start adding a few of the fun extras. Add an area rug and at least one plant to bring a little warmth and personality into the space. Toss in a few personal touches, like framed photos of loved ones or your favourite destinations, a sculpture or piece of art that brings you inspiration, and a small clock. Add a neutral colour to the walls, and if space allows, a sofa so you can read, reenergize, or just steal a much-deserved catnap.
The key to a cohesive and functional space is to go with a modular system like the Casey Collection. Not only is it designed to stand the test of time, but it also gives you the flexibility to add to your office furniture without sacrificing aesthetic. All the pieces fit together seamlessly to create a space that is organized, and that inspires productivity. And once you toss in a few personal touches, you’ll want to work from home more often than not.
