Creating a Home Office that Works for You

Ditch the Clutter and Make Your Home Office the Retreat You’ve Always Wanted

If you office out of your home, you know that your workspace is a retreat. After all, it’s the one space in the house that is (usually) safe from shouts of “mom” and “where is my water bottle?” But as much as you absolutely deserve an office that’s chic, homey, and organized to the max (especially if you’ve got video conference calls on the docket), the truth is that between traveling for work, taking care of a family, and keeping the household in order, creating a magazine-ready office often falls to the last slot on your to-do list.  

Creating a space that works for you and matches your level of confidence in work and life isn’t out of reach, though. Whatever your pain points are – be it a lack of storage or a longing for a floor-to-ceiling window view – we’ve got you covered and can take your office from a “one day” fantasy to a custom-made reality. So, read on for inspiration to kick off your renovation. Achieving a picture-perfect getaway to do your work is just around the corner.

Build in Multiple Workstations

Instead of bringing your work down to the living room or kitchen for a change of scenery, build multiple workstations into your home office. Your desk area is a must have, of course, but don’t forget to incorporate comfortable areas, too. Think about adding a reading corner with an upholstered chair to review contracts, or consider a plush sofa across the room where you can rest and gather your thoughts before that high-stakes phone call. And of course it doesn’t hurt to have a mini bar cart on standby just in case you’ve had a particularly tough day.

Choose a Color Palette You Love

Your home office color palette should be unapologetically you, especially since this space is all about catering to your style and needs. Love a bold wallpaper? Go for it. Prefer a soft and neutral combination? Perfect. Whatever colors or patterns give you inspiration and make you feel ready to take on each day is the style you should ultimately choose. (P.S. need a hand choosing the perfect home office color? We put together the PERFECT GUIDE to choosing paint colors. It’ll give you all the ideas and inspiration you need to maximize productivity and ignite that creativity.)

RELATED: Get Fast and Affordable Interior Design Advice

Get Smart with Storage & Organization

Nothing kills a creativity streak like an office cluttered with random piles of miscellaneous paperwork and post-its labeled “to file.” Plus, that’s the last thing you want anyone on your team to see if an emergency conference is called. Keep things feeling neat and put together at all times with smart storage and organization solutions. Built-in cabinets and shelves are a great way to tuck office essentials out of the way while baskets can be lifesavers in a pinch when you need to clean up unexpectedly. Oh, and don’t forget to use that wall space to your advantage – if calendars, white boards, or magazine racks work for your needs, build out a space dedicated to function and it’ll be so much easier to keep things out of those dreaded piles.

Display Your Favorite Things

As much as this area is your personal space where work is your focus, as a mom, family and life outside of those walls still comes first. Display a few of your favorite items that bring you happiness and remind you why you do what you do each and every day. Perhaps it’s a family photo from a recent memorable trip or a piece of artwork you had framed from your honeymoon years ago. Pair the sentimental pieces with fresh art and decor and your home office will feel curated and personal down to the last detail.

What truly sets your home office apart from an office in a high rise building downtown (besides the location) is the personal touch and style parameters you have available to you. Fill your space with mementos, planned storage, beloved colors, and a variety of workstations, and we guarantee you’ll feel more productive than ever. Even if the end of the school day is followed by an immediate “what’s for dinner” cry, you’ll at least feel like you’ve got a space that is 100% yours (and only yours). And that is worth it all.