Albany Times Union (Sunday)

Home office essentials to create a great space

- By Katie Laughridge

While parts of day-to-day life seem to be getting back to “normal” (or at least a new normal), some changes from the last year seemed poised to stay around for some time to come.

One of these changes: Home offices are more necessary than ever. With offices turning to permanent work from home or hybrid work schedules, it is important to create a practical space at home that is built for productivi­ty.

This has created a new challenge for us, since many times practical and productive can be a bit ... blah. We’ve been searching high and low to bring style and finesse to our home office essentials so you can create a study that will stun both in person and over Zoom.

First off, we knew we wanted to do something besides provide standard office chairs. Say goodbye to old-school computer chairs on wheels, and treat yourself to something more luxurious! My current favorite office chair has to be a winged chair. The traditiona­l and elegant feel of a dramatic high-back makes you feel like you are in the power seat, and it is extremely comfortabl­e with great neck support. Upholstere­d seats like this are a great way to introduce pattern into your office or study. I’ve been drawn to menswear-inspired textiles that add some flair and dimension to an otherwise serious space. If you have a smaller space, cushioned dining chairs are a great option. They can easily be transition­ed back to other areas of the home and are a perfect height for foldout desk options.

Spending long days in a stark room is never good for morale. Adding artwork and tasteful accessorie­s to your space can bring personalit­y and life to your area. This is where the energy of your room will truly be decided.

From bright floral prints to landscapes to hunt scenes, art is a great way to express yourself on your walls.

Don’t forget to balance your bookshelf with accessorie­s as well. While storage is all-important in an office, so is having some personal items to break up the paperwork.

Using ginger jars and figurines as bookends is a fantastic way to add style to your space while still giving purpose to your shelves. By placing a welldecora­ted bookshelf behind your desk, you also give yourself a wonderful and profession­al background for Zoom calls. This also cuts down on the likelihood of a family member walking behind your video as an unexpected guest star.

These simple changes to your workspace will leave your colleagues impressed and make you feel more comfortabl­e during your day. A welldesign­ed space enhances all aspects of living.

 ?? Kilito Chan / Getty Images ?? Decorate a bookshelf with accessorie­s to add style to your space, give purpose to your shelves and create a wonderful and profession­al background for your Zoom callls.
Kilito Chan / Getty Images Decorate a bookshelf with accessorie­s to add style to your space, give purpose to your shelves and create a wonderful and profession­al background for your Zoom callls.

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