Home Offices

Prepping Your Home Office for Big Business

How to Create a Workspace to Fuel Your Success This Year

Hello there! I'm Erika Ward, Owner and Principal Designer of Erika Ward Interiors. It's my greatest pleasure to inspire you to live well, to live in style, and to extinguish the myth that style and budget are mutually exclusive. Read more about my design philosophy and my work at http://www.blulabelbungalow.com

Hello there! I'm Erika Ward, Owner and Principal Designer of Erika Ward... More »

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Each year I make New Year's resolutions for my home's decor as well as my office space. At home I plan to focus on redesigning the master bedroom and kitchen. In my office, the goal is always the same: maintain a work environment that fosters creativity.

Have you heard the saying, "Success comes when preparation meets opportunity?" It's one of my favorite quotes because it is profoundly simple, yet true. If given the opportunity, is your home office ready to handle the success coming your way? To assist in your preparation and to get your creative juices flowing, here are a few decorating tips mixed with a little New Year's optimism. Best wishes for success this year!

by The Locker

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First, when seeking decorating inspiration, do not look to recreate the exact room you may see here or somewhere else. Really examine the space to accurately determine your needs.

Second, shop other areas of your home for furniture that may be useful in your office. Notice this homeowner uses a dining room buffet to house fabric and sewing notions.

Third, only add what you truly need. Anything more will only contribute to clutter.

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by Atypical Type A

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Insert your personality by peppering your shelves with functional accessories in bold colors.

Cool desk lamps are always a great jumping off point for color.

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by Erika Ward - Erika Ward Interiors

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Stash your paperwork and periodicals in stylish magazine files and coordinating bins.

DIY tip: Cover a few of the magazine holders with wallpaper remnants for a little added flair.

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by Tracy Murdock Allied ASID

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Position your workspace where you receive optimal sunlight. Natural light is great for reviewing your work, especially in the creative industry, and is also good for your emotional health.

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by Feldman Architecture, Inc.

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If space is at a premium in your home, one wall can do the trick. Keep it simple when it comes to setting up shop in multifunctional room. Too many little compartments tend to make a space appear cluttered and actually can make it difficult to find what you need.

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by LDa Architecture & Interiors

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When working from home, a neighboring dining table is an excellent spot for small client meetings.

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by Mark English Architects, AIA

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Camouflage your office by incorporating it into your home's decor. Notice how this designer cleverly used similar fabrics and furnishings in the adjacent room blending the two spaces.

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by Beth Dotolo, RID, ASID

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This home office, with its distinctive wall color, marble fireplace, and handsome wood furniture, has a certain je ne sais quoi that is often found in high-rent office suites.

More:
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Tell us: Are you making a change to your home office this year?

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Comments

adriennemsc says:

This gives me lots of inspiration for my home office and the projects I have coming up. Thanks, Erika!

17 months ago · Like

Erika Ward - Erika Ward Interiors says:

Hi Adrienne! Thanks for checking me out on houzz!

17 months ago · Like

Becky Harris says:

These are great! I still have the same wallpaper samples taped to my office walls that I put up last January...it's like I don't even see them anymore and I needed a kick in the bum!

Did I spy Suzanne Kasler's office in there? Love her work and Inspired Interiors!

17 months ago · Like

reginaflores says:

Perfect timing! I was just decluttering my home office today and needed your great pics and ideas. thanks!

17 months ago · Like

Rebekah Zaveloff says:

So needed this post, Erika! We run 3 small businesses out of our house and we're just starting a re-build after a fire and my new office needs lots of ideas! Thanks!

17 months ago · Like

Cyndi K. says:

Nice range of budget and styles here and good tips in the text; I like the painted hutch/buffet idea in the first photo for crafting storage- those are plentiful on Craigslist. I always liked Sarah Richardson's Design, Inc. office....they clearly were productive there, but it looked like a great place to just hang out...or, maybe that was because of Tommy.

17 months ago · Like

alli_gaines says:

I really enjoyed this! I had not seen several of these yet, so it was a great surprise!

17 months ago · Like