As remote work hours continue to increase, we at John McClain Design want to make sure you’re living your best work-from-home life! So we’ve put together our favorite tips for creating a fun and functional home office.

First, Functionality.

When designing your space, it’s best to keep in mind what function the room serves. Is it a place where you’re going to be the sole inhabitant or will you be bringing in clients? 

If your job requires more paperwork, then this probably means desk space is at the top of your wish list. We recommend going vertical! Hanging up durable metal folders to hide your files while still keeping them easily accessible is a great way to use walls for functional storage. Another great way to capitalize on a room’s space is to put in a corner cabinet or shelf. 

The key to avoiding a cluttered eye sore is to keep it simple. If what you’re storing isn’t aesthetically pleasing, opt for closed storage. But if you’re looking to display books or prized items, we recommend going for the bookshelf!

One of our clients wanted a home office where she could focus on growing two different types of business ventures while still being true to her strong beliefs. We accomplished this by using copper pipes that expressed her love of rose gold to create a functional clothing rack for showcasing her newest designs and added a bar cart for displaying her best wine clients can taste on the spot.

If you’re wanting a simple workspace, try capitalizing on an underutilized area like an upstairs hallway or kitchen nook. It’s the easiest design hack! Be sure to tie the workspace into the decor of the whole room. We did just this for one of our client’s by affixing a statement clock that tied into the mixed-metal look of the entire kitchen.

Putting the Fun in Functional.

No sense in having a dedicated office space if it doesn’t inspire you! Try tying in a love for anything regal with deep mahogany and rich blues, greens and velvet color palettes, or a vintage desk lamp. Displaying a favorite painting or sculpture to show off your love of art can really get those creative juices flowing!

When it comes to designing a workspace, the John McClain Design team focuses on our client’s functional needs while also making the room a direct reflection of their personality. Funky, retro-inspired wallpaper can be implemented to add depth, for example, and also reflect a casual, laid-back personality. Interesting light fixtures can be used to elevate a room’s essence of elegance, while bringing out a touch of sophistication.

No need to go big all the time — simply including little elements reminiscent of your personality can do wonders for motivation. Creating whimsical items, like a planter to store pencils is more than enough to introduce some fun into your workspace. Speaking of nature, don’t forget to bring in natural elements, like an indoor plant, to invoke beauty into your space.

Voila! Functional yet fun doesn’t have to be a workspace conundrum. 

Till next time…
Happy Designs!