How to turn your home office ideas into reality

With so many of us needing to work from home these days an office is an essential part of many houses. Whether you’re working from a corner of the living room or have the luxury of a dedicated space, these home office ideas will show you how to plan and create to boost your productivity.

How your home office design ideas can make the most of your space

The perfect home office should be a place where you can work comfortably. The right workspace will inspire creativity. It all starts with clever home office design ideas using a simple tool like the 3D design planner.
Consider the space you have available. Are you starting with a blank canvas, or do you already have a home office you want to remodel? The HomeByMe Planner can be a great help if you’re not sure where things will fit.

Next consider the basic office furniture you’ll need, for example:

• A desk – invest in the best office desk you can afford that’s large enough for your computer or laptop and documents you’re working on. Some desks have handy enclosures to hide cables and keep them safely out of the way.
• A desk chair – this should be of the best quality your budget allows for your comfort and health. Ergonomic office chairs support your back and are ideal if you spend a long time at your desk. Another popular choice is a kneeling chair, which is also good for the posture.
• Cabinets or shelves – to store files for easy access. There’s nothing more frustrating than being under pressure to meet a deadline and not being able to find the paperwork you need. Cabinets keep things tidy and out of sight, while shelves can display matching files and accessories to pull the look of your office together. The HomeByMe planner can show you what the finished storage space will look like and guide you step-by-step on how to design and make your own.
• A printer table – this is useful to give you more desk space and is easy to create yourself using the 3DbyMe tool. Consider a wireless printer to minimize the use of cables.

Create a floor plan with the HomeByMe online floor planner to decide on the best location for each piece of furniture. When designing your home office with the 3D planner think about:

• Which area gets the most natural light.
• Whether you want to look at a view to inspire you.
• If you need a door or screen to block distractions.
• The safest way to run cables for computers, screens, lighting, chargers, the printer.
• If you have large windows you may need blinds or curtains for warmth in the winter and to block the glare on sunny days.
• How to access files and books you may need easily.

When you’re happy with your floor plan it’s time to create your dream office and convert your 3D visual plan into reality.

Office space ideas for home working that’ll make you want to get to work right away

Once you’ve planned your office layout using our 3D modeling solution it’s time to add all the extras you need to create a practical and pleasant working environment. Accessories such as plants and pictures add interest, while a noticeboard and storage boxes are functional. You can add these and move them around in virtual reality before you get to work.

If your home office is open plan and part of the dining room or bedroom, for example, it should aesthetically blend with the rest of the room. To create the final look without moving a thing you can use the 3D planner to view how your office will coordinate with an existing room.

What else do you need to create an efficient work area? Do you need inspiration to bring your ideas to life? You can try out these ideas (and your own) in seconds.

• Mini fridges, coffee machines, and a microwave are useful if you have an office that’s away from the main living area, for example in a garden shed or attic.
• A noticeboard is useful for displaying useful documents, things you need to remember, and helping you keep track of your workflow. Fix a cork or metallic noticeboard to a wall and never miss a deadline again.
• Placing your desk near a window will make the most of natural light, but you’ll also need a quality light fixture for gloomy days or if you’re a night owl. A flexible table lamp is one of the best choices as you can angle it to suit you.
• The temperature of your office is crucial – too hot or too cold and you’ll be less productive. A heater or a fan can be invaluable to create a comfortable working environment.
• Add a rug to create ambiance and coordinate the color scheme.
• An office decorated with a gallery wall of photographs, pictures, and certificates can break up the space and be a source of inspiration.

Office space ideas for home working can be as creative as you like with the 3DByMe office planning tool. The secret is to keep things tidy and organized so your office complements your home.

Small home office ideas – how to make the most of a tiny space

If you only have a small space for an office don’t worry. Clever planning means you can create a small home office that’s just as effective as a large one. Try out our 3D modeling solution and play around with your design ideas before you get started.

Not sure where to locate your small home office? Use the 3D planner to see how the final design will look. You may not have thought about these locations in your small home office ideas:

• Under the stairs or in the hall – a practical way to make the most of this often-unused space.
  In an alcove – adding doors can hide the office at the end of the working day, especially if it’s in the living room or bedroom. A floating desk and shelves are perfect for this office design.
• In a cupboard or wardrobe – a flip-down desk saves space and can be packed away when you’re not using it.

If you locate your office in a room you already use place it in its own area to create an office ‘zone’ and separate it from your living space. A narrow desk with drawers behind the couch or in a corner will keep things tidy and not distract from the main function of the room.

A bureau-style desk will also quickly convert from a desk to a stylish piece of furniture. Choose one with shelves underneath and inside for ample storage.

Get creative with small office storage and keep files and stationery in a chest with a lid. Open it up when you’re working and close it to keep your office accessories out of sight.

Who needs expensive design studios when you can use your interior design skills and the HomeByMe planner to create your home office yourself? We hope our home office decor ideas have inspired you!

If you’re having trouble getting started, you can find ideas for your next home decor in our Inspiration page.