The home office is often an overlooked space in the house, where boxes of old books, outgrown clothes and broken kitchen appliances go to die. For the army of us who work from home, the office space can easily feel uninspiring to do any work in. Here are some easy ways you can update your home office and create a clean, modern space you’ll want to work in.
- Ditch your desk
Are you still using one of those old desks built for large, clunky desktop computers with heavy monitors? Unless you still have that old workhorse from the 1990’s (in which case, an upgrade could be in order) it’s all wasted space. There are ranges of modern office furniture options that will suit your lifestyle and your budget: if you like spreading out books and papers, then consider a large studio desk; if you just use a laptop, a compact desk will free up room for storage and decor.
- Find some functional storage that looks good
Not many people use filing cabinets anymore unless they’re in a line of work that requires a lot of papers. Get rid of that iron monster and go through all your papers, the chances are high that there’s a lot of expired warranties, bank statements, and bills you don’t need to keep anymore. Gather up what’s left and file them in stylish binders or folders that can be stored on a shelf alongside books, trophies, photographs, handmade presents and other knick-knacks that get accumulated over the years. A modern bookcase that accompanies your other office furniture will help even the most garish clay mug look tasteful if it’s displayed right!
- Light it up right
Switching your desk lamp to something fresh and on-trend is another way to class up your office. Choose something in a soft, neutral wood that will complement your desk with an adjustable head. Don’t settle for a regular old table lamp – they usually emit a soft, general glow rather than the downward light that’s best for working. Swap your bulbs for LEDs while you’re at it – they’re cheaper to run, save energy and will last longer.
- Decorate, decorate, decorate
It’s all down to personal taste, but you should hold a home office up to the same home decor standards as you would the rest of your home. Use photographs and prints to cheaply personalize your walls and make it your own space, and find a rug that will match your aesthetic and give your space a pop of color.
- Add some plants
Give your new office a burst of life, and a little extra fresh air, with some plants. Find modern planters in ceramic, marble or metallic tones to stay on-trend, and place them on windowsills or shelves that receive a lot of sunlight. Stick to ferns or succulents for minimalist, monochromatic offices, and give bold offices an extra burst of color with flowering plants. Just remember to keep them well watered!
