How To: Build the perfect home office

Working from home? Maybe you simply need a quiet space to get some work done. That’s why every home needs a proper and organized home office. With the help of our guide and the trained eye of an interior designer, you can get your space up and running in no time! Here’s what you need to do (and buy!) in order to have the perfect home office.

It’s all about the desk

No matter what you’ll be using your home office for, you’ll need a desk that will make the difference between getting your work done and being a procrastinator. Not only that, but choosing the wrong desk can transform your new office into an unorganized mess instead of what you need it to be.

Before you consult our directory and find a furniture and home accessories store near you, identify exactly how you’ll be using your office space:

For computer work. If you’d rather work in a home office as opposed to bringing your laptop to the kitchen or family room, then you’ll need a simple desk or workstation that will offer plenty of computer space. If you’re working on a desktop PC as opposed to a laptop, look for a desk that has the capability of fishing the wires and any electrical connections through the desk to prevent the cords from getting in your way and taking up space.
For paperwork. If your job or personal work requires you to handle a lot of paperwork at once and you like to lay out paperwork for a good visual, then you’ll want a large desk with a ton of surface space to spread out your paperwork and keep it organized. Once you’re done with the paperwork, you may want to invest in a desk with shelves or cabinetry to help you stay organized.
A combination. Do you plan on inviting clients or colleagues to your home office? You’ll not only want a desk with a large surface and cabinets/shelving to keep organized, but may also want to retrofit your work space with a coffee maker, meeting desk and/or couch to make them comfortable. In this case, it’s important to have a presentable work space, one that’s inviting and makes your guests feel welcome.

Choosing the right desk surface

Whether your new home office will be designed for computer work, paperwork or both, you’ll need some sort of desk to get your work done! But deciding on what type of desk you need is only one aspect to the home office building process. What type of desk works for you? What material is durable enough to handle how you’ll be using your desk? Here’s an overview of different desk materials to choose from and how you can benefit from them:

Laminate

Laminate – a.k.a. plastic, is a common choice for office furniture for so many reasons. It’s both durable and affordable, so you won’t have to worry about it getting destroyed as you’re working away in your new office. It may not be the nicer choice on the market given the fact that it’s plastic, but laminate comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns, so it’ll be easy to find an appropriate look for your office.

Wood

If your home office is a place where you’ll be inviting clients or colleagues, you may want to invest in a desk that looks presentable. Wood is the most professional-looking desk you could purchase on the market. Having said that, it will also be the most expensive and you’ll have to be very careful with it. Wood is durable (after all, you’re paying for a good product), but it can be easily scratched and dented as you work, so you’ll want to be extra careful not to ruin your investment!

Metal/Steel

If your home office is just for your eyes, then a metal or steel desk could be the right choice for you. It’s not aesthetically pleasing, but it’s affordable (like laminate) and the perfect material for a home office that will encounter lots of traffic.

Let There Be Light

You’ll be spending a lot of time in your new home office, a lot of time getting work done. That means you’ll have to light up the space to give your eyes what they need to endure the long days/nights. Speak with an electrical contractor to find out what type of lighting will work in your new space. A desk lamp may suffice, but having overall lighting in the room on a dimmer may help as well. You may also want to speak with an interior designer about having drapes or blinds installed on the windows to control the amount of natural light flowing into your spaces.

Accessorize

Once you’ve chosen your desk and lighting options for your new office (and decided how you’ll be using your office) you’re almost set! But there are a few more accessories you’ll want to consider adding to your newly renovated home office:

Garbage and recycling bins;
Filing cabinets;
Storage bins;
Caddy for pens, white-out, paperclips, etc.;
Bookends;
Pinboard;
Wall clock;
and so much more!

You can have a lot of fun furnishing your new home office. The best way to get started? By using our directory to find a furniture and home accessories store to buy your accessories! Take a weekend and visit some of the shops to find a wide array of accessories that will suit your new space. More importantly, don’t forget to show it off!