Tips to build a modern and streamlined home office by Carmine Barbetta (FB)

Published: 07/28/11 in Home & Garden Deals

No matter what profession you find yourself in, having the luxury of coming home to do some extra work or to enjoy any of your hobbies can be accomplished with a home office. If you have a room in your home that you don't know what to do with, turning it into a work space is an excellent idea. But you are going to need to invest in some furniture, computer peripherals and proper lighting to be able to make the best use of this new room in your home.

First off, you'll need a desk to call your own, so depending on your space constraints, there are plenty of options out there. One way to start off is to go to a ready-to-assemble furniture store and buy a simple desk and build upwards. Pick out a simple rectangular desk that can work in your room and can conform to your interior design. You can then buy some desk organizers, a small file cabinet and some collapsible shelving to increase your storage space. If you place your desk against the wall, you could always use some floating wall shelves above it to display family photographs, awards and other accents that will make it feel more like home.

No home office is complete without the perfect chair, so allow yourself to splurge on this valuable piece of furniture. Look for a piece with ample lumbar support, sturdy construction and plastic wheels instead of metal ones to avoid scratching your floors. This purchase will hopefully be a one-time affair, so don't be afraid to throw down a few hundred dollars if you find the chair that's perfect for you. In addition, whether you have carpeting or solid floors, a floor protector is a must. Since your chair will be constantly moving back and forth, it can put some strain on your floor coverings. By protecting this area around your desk, you can prolong the life of your flooring and make it a lot easier to move around.

Computer speakers are another helpful option that no home office should be without. If you're video conferencing or listening to music while you work, a small set of 2.1 speakers will get the job done. These speakers can be found in many price ranges, so search for the product that works best for your needs. Ideally, you can find a set with an external volume control that won't have you scrambling to find the right button on your desktop when the phone rings, and it will allow you to control bass levels with a twist of a knob.

To help streamline your desk space and remove a plethora of cords from your home office, consider investing in some wireless computer peripherals. A wireless mouse should be your first purchase, and the widespread use of these products has helped to drop prices dramatically. It works by placing a small transmitter into your computer's USB port and placing a few batteries into the mouse. After that simple setup process, you can use your mouse on any surface without being tethered to the computer. This also is very handy if you have both a desktop and a laptop, as you can easily throw the mouse in your bag without having to tangle with a mess of cords.

A wireless keyboard is another item that can instantly free up space in your new home office. This can also help you cut the price of your new desk, as you won't need an extra compartment to store your keyboard. These items are much like a wireless mouse, and use a small transmitter instead of a power cord. These devices are excellent for multi-tasking and have a wide range of features that will allow you to control your system from any point in the room.

Now that your work station is completely set up, you can start to make some aesthetic and multi-functional improvements that can give the space some added versatility. Adding a futon or a sleeper sofa in this space is always a great idea, as it will allow your home office to double as a guest room in a pinch. There's also something to be said for the fact that having a place to lie down for a quick nap or to sit and collect your thoughts can help you be more efficient during your work day. You can also add some colorful throw pillows, a few blankets and a storage ottoman to infuse some personality into the room and increase your storage space. By having another place to sleep, you can set up your home for when you have unexpected guests and use a guest room for another purpose.

Lastly, if you're the kind of person that works long hours, a mini fridge could be a great option. You can store your lunch for the day, snacks and a few beverages and always keep them at arm's length. These small devices can fit in just about any small space, and they are ideal for people who need to get a lot of stuff done. A mini fridge can be found in many colors and styles to suit your interior design, so it will provide added versatility and won't detract from the room's décor.

Home offices are a wonderful asset for any working professional, but it will take some hard work and a little elbow grease to have them come together to suit your needs. So instead of heading out to your nearest big-box store, you should do most of your shopping online. Office Max Promotional Codes can be found on the web and added to your shopping cart to help you cut costs and find everything you need to get started on the right foot.  

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