The ABC's of Home Office Interior Design

More and more, small business owners and freelance workers are using their homes as more than a place to eat, rest, sleep and spend time with family members. It has become the ideal workplace: a venue where one can relax while striving to meet deadlines or entertaining important clients. The popularity of the home office has climbed since the start of the century, owing mainly to the efforts of budding entrepreneurs to resolve issues of convenience and practicality in the face of increasing road traffic and a challenging market.

For individuals who have decided to make the transition to a home-based business, the immediate goal is usually to make the work space as neat and organized as possible without sacrificing comfort. Like every other part of the house, the home office should be equipped with just the right amount of furniture for its intended purpose, good lighting, and appropriate decorative fixtures. Unlike other living spaces, however, the main concern when planning its layout is efficiency rather than beauty.

Other than furniture, the presence of simple ornamental pieces such as large wall decor can greatly enhance the room's professional appearance. It is highly appropriate, for example, to hang a seascape oil painting over a black leather sofa on which potential clients might sit while you give a well-prepared product presentation. It is also acceptable and trendy to place an antique desk lamp on top of the solid wooden desk to balance out the ultra-modern look of a space-age personal computer. Lighting should be adequate to avoid eyestrain, but may also be muted to facilitate a relaxing conversation when the need arises.

Compared with more traditional set-ups, modernistic themes have become the norm. Not only do the sleek and clean lines create an impression of intelligence and sharpness, but they also convey a sense of dynamism, progressiveness and objectivity. When it comes to wall paint or wallpaper, muted hues are generally preferred since loud or vibrant colors may distract from the work to be done. Calm and soothing colors such as light green or blue also help light up the room without making it seem smaller.

Office ergonomics is likewise one of the major considerations in planning home office design, since a home-based worker still tends to remain behind the desk for most of the day. Because many telecommuters earn a decent living working from home, the cost of equipment and furnishings is rarely a problem. Hence, it is not uncommon to find makeshift office rooms with ergonomically designed chairs and furniture in addition to large wall decor and fine tapestry.

Despite the careful planning involved, working on an office interior design project can be both challenging and enjoyable. The benefits are numerous, and motivated by the idea that one's office represents his company's goals, ideals and identity, one can readily produce a workable plan in a short span of time. The fact that the interior decorator already knows the details of his own house better than anyone only makes the job easier.