How to Design a Home Office in Any Home

A home office or study can become an essential part of any home as well as your home-life, no matter what the size or design style is. Since the rise of the internet, many people find themselves working from home more frequently, and having a designated place for that work can keep your focused and determined. The same effect works with children, and this space can become an excellent place to study or complete homework assignments. Or maybe you just need a home office to work on your hobbies.

It's easy to think that you don't have the space in your home for such a room, or that you don't have the budget for the project-or maybe you simply don't know where to begin.

Fortunately, where there's a problem, there's almost always a solution. So no matter what kinds of problems are preventing you from creating your dream workspace in your home, you can get the most out of what you're working with and design a great home office.

Here are a few tips for making the most of your space, making the best of your budget, and making your home office work for you:

Use Space Wisely-And Creatively

The number one reason that most homeowners could give as to why they don't have a home office is likely that they lack the space.

When you moved into your home, the rooms were quickly and clearly designated: dining room, living room, den, bedrooms, master bedrooms-often, however, much of the actual floor space in these rooms is often wasted.

Think of the actual space that you have available in your home, and don't be afraid to rearrange and repurpose any rooms. A corner of your dining area could be sectioned off fairly easily and turned into a great workspace, and there are plenty of creative ways to fit work areas into smaller places:

• Storage shelves with a space available to double as a desk.
• Fold-out wall-mounted desks.
• Study stations hidden within a closet.

Choose Colors and Designs You'll Love to Work With

Of course, there's more to designing an ideal workspace than cramming a desk into a corner. You'll want to do everything you can to make working at home a pleasure and as little of a frustration as possible.

• Location
  The first thing you'll want to think about is the location. Of course, you probably have limited options when it comes to this, but you should try to choose a low-traffic area with as much isolation as possible. But don't just take our word for it: if you work best in the thick of the action, go ahead and do the opposite!
• Form & Function
  When you're designing the workspace, make sure you consider both form and function. When you're working with a limited space and budget, it's easy to focus in on the most logical and easiest ways to get the job done, but you don't want your home office to resemble a soul-less cubicle. Keep your home office's decor in line with the rest of your home, and don't be afraid to have a little fun.
• A Room with a View
  Staring at a blank wall while you're trying to work and get creative juices flowing can be depressing and agitating. If you can, position your desk near a window so that the space feels less claustrophobic (this is especially important if you're working in a smaller area). If you can't get it near a window, hang a painting in front of your desk, or position your desk facing outward so that your back is to the wall.

Budget

Coming up with the finances for any project is one of the biggest hurdles homeowners face. Fortunately, most of the budget you'll need for this project can go directly to furniture, and you may already have most of the furniture you'll need. For what you do need to purchase for this project, there are some great ways to get the most bang for your buck:

• Painting
  Painting the room a solid, deep color can add an air of sophistication that will be perfect for your office-especially if you deal with clients at home-and won't break the bank. On the other hand, if the workspace is for your kids, brighter yellows and blues can help keep their minds active.
• Repurpose Older Furniture
  Old, unused tables and chairs can often be repurposed and put to use in your office. With some creative staining or painting ideas, they can be a perfect match for the design and save you hundreds of dollars.
• Start with the Basics
  Start by getting what you know you'll need for your home office and work from there. Cover the essentials first, then decide what you can afford to splurge on.
• Check eBay, Craigslist, and Local Garage Sales
  There's no need to run out to specialty stores. Plenty of great furniture and decorative items are available at low prices-plus, you'll be able to find things are unique and eye- catching!
• Keep Room in the Budget for Plants
  Plants can make any room fell richer and more interesting. Plus, they create fresh air and clean your air.

Design it for You

No matter what, you're the one who's ultimately going to be using this space, so don't trust anyone's advice over your own thoughts and feelings. Create a workspace that will work for you and you'll have a success on your hands.