Recent studies show more than 5% of Americans work from home and reports indicate the trend is continuing to grow year over year. With so many people bringing work into the home, the need for a home office is more important than ever. Even if you don’t work from home full-time, you likely still need a space to get work done outside of the office. Your workspace should work with you to stay productive in a comfortable environment. We put together a list of some of our favorite home office styles to get you thinking about the home office in a new way.
Home Office For Creatives
Creating takes space. Space to draw, paint, ideate, and make a bit of a mess. When designing your dream custom home, think about how your home office can help you unleash your creative side. The home office for creatives should have plenty of space to not only create but store all of the tools and materials you need to express yourself. Built-in shelving units help maximize the space while creating ample opportunity to stay organized. Consider adding desk space along one of the walls of the room for ample surface area. Organization is key in these spaces, so don’t skimp on shelving, cabinets, and closet space.
Tip: Keep natural light in mind when designing creative spaces. You are going to want as much natural light as possible, so floor to ceiling windows or large picture windows are great additions to your creative space.
Modern Home Offices for Minimalists
When work needs to get done, we need as few distractions as possible. The modern minimalistic home office is a great option for a workspace that encourages productivity while looking great. You will want plenty of space, clean lines, and simplistic decorative accents. When working with a custom home designer, let them know how you want the space to feel and your designer will help you create a space that looks and feels like an office you actually want to spend time in. Hardwood floors, plenty of natural light and sleek built-in storage space are all staples of a modern home office.
Tip: When planning your minimalistic space, choose the furniture you want in the room and plan the space around what must be included. Keeping this in mind from the beginning will help you and your design team create a space that combines form with function.
Multi-Use Home Office For The Working Parent
Working from home with small children is a challenge for all working parents. Keeping a keen eye on the children while trying to get work done presents many challenges that can often be solved with good space planning. Build your custom home office with space for you and the children in mind. Sound-proofing the room gives you the freedom to hold important conference calls without worrying about sounds of laughter (or crying) interrupting the call. Another idea for building the perfect home office with kids in mind is creating a space within the room with storage for toys, coloring material, and other quiet activities your kids can do while you work.
Tip: Kids are curious, so be sure to safety proof your home office with plug protectors, locked drawers for sharp objects like scissors, and cord ties to limit the chances of children tripping.
Hybrid Home Offices
If space is a concern or you are looking to add space with multiple uses, a hybrid home office is a great idea for working families. Hybrid home offices give you the peace and quiet you need to get work done from home but also gives extra space for other needs when not in use. One way to create a hybrid home office is to allocate more space than a traditional office and using it as a guest room – office hybrid. Odds are you won’t be doing much work from home with guests in town, so this is a great way to make the very most of your space at all times.
Tip: Build in extra space to fit your desk, chair, bookshelves, as well as a comfortable sitting nook, bed, dresser and closet space. You can use the closet as additional storage space for things related to your home office as well as comforts for your guests like fresh towels, extra pillows, and blankets.
Your workspace should reflect your work style, lifestyle, and needs. Start by talking with a design specialist about your work style and what you need from the space. Our designers are standing by to answer any of your questions for creating the perfect home office for productivity and creativity!