Location, location, location Depending on your work and preference, the first factor is traffic. Do you work better when you can see activity around, or need complete quiet? Next is space. Some work best in a small, closed environment, while others need an open window and plenty of room. If clients will be stopping by, a private space with ample seating is a must.
Give yourself a view Position the desk where you can stare at something more interesting than a bare wall. The idea is to let your eye hit something pleasant when you look up. A beautiful picture lifts the heart, but nothing quite compares with a window offering natural scenery. According to Vastu, positioning your chair to face the door brings prosperity.
Elegance or function Your desk, shelves and storage should serve you, not the other way around. Think workflow and what you need to be handy, before investing in furniture. Who says office furniture has to be steel and leather? Look for pieces that are beautiful and functional. If the rest of your home has traditional décor, you could go for warm wood and comfortable chairs. Even a loveseat can belong beautifully into a hardworking space. A contemporary home office can feature artistic pieces or modern metal furniture.
Easy-to-use accessories Some people like clean, contemporary looks with nothing in sight. But if you are homey, surround yourself with things that suggest comfort. A pretty mug for a pencil holder, trendy notepads and sticky notes, and a decorative waste basket. Wrap bulletin boards in gorgeous fabric, and hide utilitarian shelves behind curtains of the same material.
Tame the technology The most common objects in a home office—computer, printer and phone—cannot be beautified. But ugly cords hanging around can kill creativity and make space look unsightly. Start by making sure your equipment is close to outlets and easy to access. Encase cords in a pretty fabric cover. Next, feed the cords into a desk grommet, a plastic or metal cap that guides them through a hole in the desk and hides them underneath. Tame the cord jungle on the floor with winders, tubing or a wire organizer.
Pick your colour Think office, and you think beige or grey. These subdued colours can often dampen creative spirit. Choose a hue that gets your work motor humming. For some, this could be a bright orange or fresh green. Others need a calming shade like olive green or soft gold. Read up on colour psychology, and be ready to be surprised by power of hues.
Some inspiration Hang inspiration quotations or poems and paintings on the wall, they will make you happy and creative. On the desk, you could set up a mini-shrine — a few cherished knickknacks, a glove to stoke your inner muse, a special photo on your desk — that motivates you to create and/or get the work done.