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Archive for the ‘Home Office Furniture & Design’ Category

Talking Workspace Contemporary Style

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

Since computer desks come in a number of sizes, ranging from compact to executive, you can design your new home office around any space that is available. Whether you will have an entire room at your disposal, a niche off a hallway or a corner of the family room, you can have a contemporary style home office or workspace that is practical, functional and inspirational.

First Things First

Decide where you will put your home office or workspace.

Make a list of office furniture you would like to have in the space, such as a computer desk, filing cabinet and office chair.

How many people and are they right-handed or left-handed? If you’re designing a home office or workspace that is going to be shared, a desk like the Bestar Executive U-Shape Wood Office Set could be the perfect solution when addressing handedness and two people sharing.

Prepping for Your Home Office

The contemporary home office blends the functionality of a business office with the warm ambiance of your home. Because the color palette for a contemporary style home office can be neutral or bold or anything in between, and the lines of contemporary home office furniture are sleek, smart and functional, the result can be a pleasant work environment with a modern, upbeat look.

If you have a choice, select a hardwood or laminate floor in a light to medium wood finish. This type of flooring will also add to your contemporary design. Use it as a “foil” or backdrop for an area rug in bright colors with a geometric pattern.

Accessorizing Your Home Office

Take some time to consider what kind of window treatment you would like for your home office. Especially if it has its own room, the curtains or other type of window treatment you select should pull all of the other décor elements in the space together so that it is visually cohesive.

If your home office is part of another room, you may wish to differentiate it from the rest of the area by an area rug or decorative room divider.

Shed some light. A mix of contemporary task lighting such as a desk lamp and/or a floor lamp combined with some kind of ambient lighting like a flush mount ceiling fixture will provide a good balance for when you’re working at your desk or your getting something from the bookcase or file cabinet. design of your modern office.

A wall clock or a desk clock is a must-have item to keep you track and on time.

Don’t forget to hang some pictures on the wall that will not only give your home office a finished look, but ones that will also provide inspiration. For that special touch that will make the space unique to you, place framed photographs of family and friends on the computer desk and the shelves of the bookcase.

Your Home Office as a Personal Retreat

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

It doesn’t matter if you’re a stay-at-home parent working on a part-time basis; an entrepreneur running a home business full-time; or a business executive who needs someplace quiet to work on the weekends, the home office is your base of operations. Yes, it should be functional, practical, comfortable and especially if you have clients or colleagues come to visit, professional looking.

But what if you designed your home office to reflect your personal preferences; inspire and rejuvenate you; and to possess an underlying den-like atmosphere that is relaxing yet also energizing? Then you would have a home office that is your own personal retreat, as well as a place where you get things done. When creating a home office as a personal retreat the trick is to integrate luxury anywhere you can into your overall design plan. Luxury doesn’t have to mean expensive; it simply means focusing those little details that go beyond functionality to create a work environment that is also beautiful and meaningful to you.

The computer desk or writing desk is center stage when planning a home office that will be your personal retreat. This is where it all happens – drafting the big proposal, making the sales that pay the bills, figuring out where you go from here. Standard computer desks are called “standard” because they can be used for a number of purposes; not just for particular use like a drafting table. Executive computer desks are intended to impress and are typically more elaborate in details and features. Choose an executive desk like the Bush Furniture Birmingham Executive 60″ Computer Desk in Harvest Cherry Finish. It has plenty of surface workspace (practical) while its rich, warm wood finish (esthetically pleasing) commands attention.

Even if you work from home part-time or only occasionally, the office chair or desk chair you choose should be comfortable. Select an office chair that will not only complement the desk you selected, but will also support you ergonomically. Splurge on a chair like the Distinction Leather Buttoned Swivel Tilt Executive Chair, which is designed to impress (and be comfy too).

To create a space that is both a functional workplace and personal retreat, add those little touches that will individualize your home office. Just by placing an armchair or two guest chairs next to a window or a floor lamp paired with a small accent table, you can transform a corner of your home office into a quiet place to catch up on your reading or have or cozy chat with a client.

Or simply add the Selamat Designs Connoisseur Burl Walnut Desk Caddy or the Howard Miller Athens Tabletop Clock that will not only keep you organized, they also add that little something extra to your home office.

The possibilities are endless for creating the perfect home office retreat. Spend some time on selecting prints that reflect your personality and some extra cash on really good picture frames. To give your home office that den feel, include a drinks cabinet like the Howard Miller Wine Cellar Hide a Home Bar Console.

Designing a Workspace that Works

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Even if you bought a computer desk just as someplace to put the computer or you only use your “home office” when you have to pay the bills, having an organized workspace that is functional and attractive is important. It’s even more important if you have your own home business or you work from home on a regular basis. A successful workspace meets all of your needs; is comfortable and ergonomic; and includes environmental considerations like any potential noise factor, sufficient lighting and power sources. Revamping your current work area or designing an efficient place to work is not hard.

First, decide where your home office will be. If you have a spare room that isn’t currently being used for anything other than storage, clearing it out would be a good place to start. If your workspace must be integrated into another room like the family room, rec room or living room, consider ways to reduce background noise like using partitions or a decorative screen to create a sense of privacy. The computer desk itself can be used as a “divider.” A stand alone L-shape desk can be used to define the perimeters of a home office in a multipurpose room by placing one side of the L against a wall.

If you’re really pressed for space, how about the corner of one of the rooms of your home? Planning a workspace around a corner computer desk, is not only a space-saving solution, but geographically speaking it will be out of the way of the television or other distractions. Particularly if you have a home-based business, take inventory of the office equipment and furniture pieces you will need. The focus of the home office and how much furniture and equipment you require will have a direct bearing on where you set up your workspace.

Once you know where your home office is going to be located, you can start planning out the space. If you will need to see clients or business associates, you will want your home office to be professional looking, yet be a comfortable and welcoming place. Consider purchasing a side chair for visitors that matches your office chair, or if there is room, a small sofa. Especially if you’re sharing the room, make your work area your own by painting the wall or walls a color that is pleasing to you. Lighter colors are better color choices since they are generally more soothing and conducive to a work environment.

Now you’re ready to incorporate other organizational office-related furniture and accessories such as a file cabinet, bookshelves and a paper tray or letter caddy. Having someplace to put things will keep your workspace efficient and appealing. Go up rather than out. Add a hutch to your desk or a tall (vertical) shelving unit. Building up will utilize wall rather than floor space.

The final step is to accessorize your workspace. Decorate the walls with pictures, posters or photographs that will inspire you. Personalize your desk with one or two family photos. In addition to natural light and overhead lighting, make sure your purchase a desk lamp: you’ll not only be able to see the task at hand, but a good one will give your workspace that stylish finishing touch.

How to Buy an Office Chair When You Don’t Know How

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

A friend of mine asked me to go shopping with her for an office chair. Her significant other recently was given a promotion and it came with a very beautiful executive desk and a not-so-comfortable office chair. Annie was the designated chair buyer. I might sound a bit odd to send someone to buy chair they will not be sitting in. But Annie has an eye for these things. I was along for moral support and the promise of lunch at a favorite downtown pasta bar.

boss-office-products-caressoft-executive-box-arm-chairI also agreed to go for my own self-motivated reasons. You see, I don’t know much about what makes one type of office chair more desirable than another. And I really need a good computer desk chair. My work station at home where I do most of my writing currently has a traditional style accent chair with a carved rose motif back splat sitting in from of it. My grandmother gave it to me when I moved into my own first-absolutely-roommate-free apartment after coming home from university. The once-lovely pale yellow button-tufted seat is developing a definite dip. After sitting in front of the computer 45 minutes tops, it plays havoc with my lower back.

So when Annie asked me to help her shop for an office chair I agreed to go with her hoping that, in the process, I would pick up some helpful hints that I could use when I buy a computer desk chair of my own. Of course, the
chair for Annie’s partner had to be made of leather. But she was looking for other specifics, as well. The chair had to have a high back with built-in head, neck and lumbar support; a wheeled base for maneuverability; arms and adjustable levers for height and backrest positioning. The office chair, while made of leather, had to be contemporary and not traditional in style. He would prefer arms with wood accents in a medium wood finish to complement the dark cherry color of the desk.
 
Global Total Office Tye Mesh Medium-Back-Office-Chair-with-Pneumatic-TilterTo be honest, the first hour we weren’t really office chair shopping, but rather catching up on news. Another reason I agreed to this adventure because we hadn’t seen each other in awhile. Then we spotted a leather executive office chair set that included a matching guest chair and something for “free” definitely caught our attention. It turned out that the office chair itself didn’t quite match the list of must-have – the back turned out to be not quite high enough and the product information didn’t say anything about lumbar support. But it inspired us to keep looking.
 

After two more stores and numerous close calls, we were about to break for lunch when Annie spotted it. It had a high back and arms with a wood trim; included several ergonomic features and was made of leather. I promptly sat in it before Annie could. Yes, I sighed, snuggling into the backrest and breathing in the delicious new leather smell. This is the one, I told my friend, as I gave it a gentle spin, making myself feel slightly off-balance. Annie was a bit more critical when she finally got to sit in the prospective office chair. She made sure the levers were easy-to-use; that it was comfortable and that it would be a good fit for the person she was purchasing it for. When the office chair had been purchased and a delivery date and time agreed upon we were off to lunch.

Boss-Office-Products-Leather-Contemporary-Executive-Chair-In-BlackAlthough I couldn’t persuade Annie to come with to buy a chair for my computer work station at home, I learned a lot. I now know what to look for when shopping for an office chair. But now I’m not sure if I really need an office chair with wheels at all – maybe a computer desk chair without casters and a contoured, upholstered seat and back would be a better fit for me.

Stay tuned to see how I will solve my work space seating dilemma because I’m definitely on a mission. Grandmother’s chair needs to be retired, re-upholstered and re-purposed.

Cheap Office Furniture

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

Cheap Furniture Home Office

Desks
Cheap Dorm DeskFor a basic choice, the Ameriwood Industries Carina City Oak Cheap Dorm Desk with Hutch comes with its own hutch so you don’t have to go out and buy your own for extra storage.

Black Computer TableSave 42% with the Orispace Stylish Black Glass Computer Table. Its name says it all – stylish, sleek, and finished in black glass.

Oak Computer DeskComplete with a keyboard drawer and CPU storage rack, you’ll be sure to fit all of your office equipment onto the Ameriwood Black Oak Computer Desk.

Office Chairs
Cheap Office ChairAt 38% off, this ergonomic posture chair has added grooves to keep you comfortable. Boss Office Products Cheap Office Chair

Black Office ChairExtremely durable for its low price, the Offices to Go Black Office Chair has plenty of adjustment options and has scuff-resistant wheels.

Comfortable Office ChairFor the ultimate in comfort with a smaller price tag, the Tecno Seating Comfortable Office Chair with Pillow Back also offers an updated gas lift feature.

File Storage
Wicker File BasketNot only is the Pangaea Natural Rattan/Wicker File Basket eco-friendly and practical – it’s offered at 30% off.

Rolling File CabinetA portable file storage option is the OSP Designs Saturn Rolling Filing Cabinet with Silver Frame on wheels.

Wood Filing CabinetFor a look of class in your home office, try the Bush Furniture Vantage 2 Drawer Vertical Wood Filing Cabinet at under $100.00.

Bookcases
3 Shelf BookcaseA basic choice is the Sauder Beginnings Cinammon Cherry 3 Shelf Bookcase that has a sophisticated look with its dark wooden wash.

Corner BookcaseTo make use of corner space and look stylish at the same time, consider the OSP Designs Espresso 5 Shelf Corner Bookcase – which is also featured at 45% off!

Maple BookcaseThe unique design of the Studio RTA Antigua 4-Shelf Maple Bookcase will give your office some style for a low cost.