Home office layout and inspiration

I am having a heck of a time arranging my home office in a manner that I'm comfortable. I believe I moved my desk 4 times now and I've only lived in our house since June. This morning I was in a rampage trying to find a photo or inspiration to use as a jumping off point for laying out my own home office. Here are some of spaces I found that I could see working in the room I use as my home office.

I tend to lean towards having a "floating" desk arrangement.  The only problem is that I either have to have my back to the door, which I don't like, or my back to a window, which causes a bad glare on my monitor. I'd like to do an accent wall in my office as well.
via Houzz

This could work for me, but where you see the cork boards I have a window.  I also have windows where they have windows, but mine are closer to the ceiling and only about 3' high.

via Pinterest via betterdecoratingbible.com

via Pinterest via theulifestyle.com

via Pinterest via easteregg.tumblr.com

via Houzz

via Houzz

What is your office layout?  Do you like a floating desk, or a desk facing a wall or window?

Fresh and inspiring home offices

As some of you know, I work as a freelance web designer. Working for oneself definitely has it's perks, but with it comes a lot more responsibilities, as you are accountable for everything. I am always extremely busy, which I enjoy, but last week I was drowning, and spent most nights up until 3:30 AM to meet my deadlines.

Paramount to working from home is having a home office and work space that is extremely comfortable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. Everyone has different work styles, and the furnishings and layout you choose will depend on that and the type of work you do.

A lot of desk surface is a MUST for me
via 91 Mag

Inspiring artwork is always good for when you're having a creative block.
via Small Space Style
 

This office is probably closest to my own, except I have to have one of those ugly office chairs in order to be comfortable.  I also need a very large monitor for my work.
via Adore Home Mag
 

A little chest of drawers helps organize smaller supplies and various cords we need for all of our gadgets these days.
via Bolig
 

I keep magazines for reference, and have several shelves dedicated to storing them.
via Heart Home
 

via Rue Magazine
 

via Southern Living

 I'm interested to know, what is essential for you in your home office?

Amazing inspiration from my favorite blogs

It was other blogs that got me started blogging, so I try to set aside some time every week to peruse three blogs from my blogroll and share my findings with you. Enjoy!

The images below are from the always inspiring Herman Miller "Lifework" blog. Corporate and company blogs can often be a total snorefest, but Lifework is sensational. It really appeals to me because I am a freelance web designer and work from home, and the blog consistently features inspiring home offices from other designers. Super inspiring.

Check it out - Lifework.





The images below are from the Michelle Rago Weddings blog.

Love this wedding inspiration board. Looks like a glam Victorian theme

And this dress? I don't have anywhere to wear it but oh how I'd love it. Simple but not boring. (It's a Badgley Mischka if you're wondering)

Michelle found this amazing artist who she featured on her blog - Jim Denevan makes temporary drawings on sand, earth and ice that are eventually erased by waves and weather.

Beautiful no? See more at Michelle Rago.

And last, but definitely not least, one of my first blog friends - Linda, and her wonderful blog Lime in the Coconut.

Her gorgeous tropical home - looks so effortlessly beautiful.

Love the floors of this kitchen - love the whole thing really...

Home offices with just the right balance of personality and productivity

It's not easy to strike the perfect balance in one's home office. Make it too cozy and filled with personal objects and you might end up using your desk to curl up with a good book or flip through photo albums. Make it too industrial and sterile and..well, feel like you're back in a cubicle. It's important to make your work space pleasing to you, and while everyone's ideal work set up is different, you have to have the tools of your trade on hand and a comfortable arrangement that allows you to hunker down and focus without distraction.

Here are some spaces that seem to have the balance down...

Perfect...beautiful...need I say more?


Plants add some life and homeyness, the ample shelving creates space for supplies, and the unorthodox desk combines function and beauty.

For some people less is more. Give them a huge desk and every inch of surface space will be occupied with stuff, leaving no space to work. This desk is clever because it has minimal surface space for accumulating clutter, but a leaf underneath pulls out for work surface.


I use a table as a desk as in the above image, because I'm able to keep things organized and most of the surface stays bare, which gives me enough room alongside my computer to spread out my magazines and/or sketch.



This space gets it's warmth from a hutch that looks well-loved.

What works for you in a home office?
via LivingEtc.

Inspiring Home Offices

Since I'm now working from home full time, I'm experiencing first hand the importance of a home office with function and style. To achieve this, I've decided, I must peruse as many sites and magazines I can get my hands on! I suspect this post will be continued in future installments --

Color is so important but such a hard thing for me to get right. I wish I could though, because the right colors can be just what one needs - serene, invigorating, relaxing, etc.


So peaceful - I think I'd be able to concentrate with a workspace like this...

I love having my books and magazines at hand - and for that shelving is a must. I'm just going to have to learn to live without when I'm working while I travel


So cheery!
via House to Home

This office looks very efficient - I would also love to have ample - and multiple - work surfaces


via House Beautiful

A real office from an Apartment Therapy reader.