The Morning Call (Sunday)

How to create the perfect home office space

- By Katie Laughridge

The home office has seen quite the resurgence these last few years. With more and more companies switching to work-fromhome or hybrid schedules, it is only natural that we want to create a space for ourselves to buckle down and get things done while at home.

However, office spaces aren’t just for full-time employees. We all need a place to pay the bills, go through paperwork and keep our computers charging.

For those who work from home on a regular basis and need a dedicated room, I like to start with the bigger items and work my way down to the finishing touches. That means bringing in the desk first.

It is important to ask yourself what you need from your desk, as it should be a practical yet beautiful item. It may turn out that what you really need is a small table or delicate writing desk. The most important thing is to take the time to find one that fits with the scale and function of your space.

Now that you have your desk, the next step is a place to sit down and get busy. Picking out a chair for your office is a big decision! There are so many better options beyond a basic computer chair that offer comfort along with style.

I like to add a pop of texture with my chair choices, so I tend to gravitate toward finely patterned upholstere­d styles or even rich classic leather seating. I love the elegance of a wingback chair in an office, but standard sized chairs can create just as much of an impact in the right fabric.

Storage and shelfing is a must-have in any home office. Large case goods that sit up against the wall are a space-saver and a wonderful addition to any room, but especially an office. Mixing in books and accessorie­s is a great way to keep frequently used items on hand without sacrificin­g your desired aesthetic. Not having a place to hide my papers is also a great motivation to keeping my office space clean and tidy.

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