Open Thread: Making the Home Office Homier
When you’re just getting started with web work, a home office doesn’t have to be extravagant. A desk, a chair, a laptop with an internet connection, a phone, and you’re ready to take on the world. But what’s the point of working at home if you just recreate corporate cubicle culture? If you stick with this particular flavor of web work for any length of time, you’ll find yourself wanting little amenities to make your office more personal and pleasant.
In my own case, a high-end speaker system and satellite radio, for loud music at any hour, were high on the list of home office upgrades. Others opt for a riot of potted plants, posters on the walls, the best desk chairs that money can buy, or the desktop coffeemaker. Here’s your chance to brag on your own taste and good fortune a bit: what have you done to make your own slice of office at home a nicer place to work?
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Many people swear by incorporating elements of into their office.
The cleaner.. the better. In my experience, nothing de-motivates you more than clutter in your home office.
Definitely good speakers. Also a bright southern exposure with big windows, a cheery yellow painted floor, a 9-foot potted palm, a treadmill, a snoring Great Dane, and a mini-trampoline for working off excess energy while Bollywood blasts from the speakers. Plus very little clutter.
Yes, windows are important, although I once read that Jonathan Franzen plasters paper over his to keep out the distractions. (Me, I don’t find birds and flowers that terribly distracting.) I added an armchair because sometimes, the desk is just too darned formal. And I love to have a batch of muffins in the oven while I work; it smells great and I get to fuel up on the results.
Comfy armchair. Super-bright halogen light. Window. Everything within reach (file cabinet, printer, notepads, reference books, project folders). Fan. As many bright pink office supplies as I could find (I love you Container Store!). Cats. Mug-sized hotplate for keeping the coffee/tea warm. More cats.
I think I’ve got everything I need comfortably squeezed into half the space of an average cubicle.
I had new windows installed in the last year and the one in my office was extended so that it starts at the top of my desk. Then I hung a couple of bird feeders outside and now enjoy the soothing activities of my feathered friends outside while one or two of my chocolate Labs lounge on the cushy carpet or on the recliner. Add the Coffeehouse on Sirius Satellite Radio, some halogen lights, speakerphone, walls covered in books, earthy red wall paint, photos of outdoor adventures smattered around, and three lucky bamboo plants and I’m in home-office heaven!
While I’m currently working from the dining room (on toddler patrol), our upstairs office has good light, iTunes, an extremely gorgeous easel my husband had custom built for me about 5 years ago, and an obscene amount of art (not surprising given that we run an online artists community). And I recently splurged on a magnetic whiteboard calendar from Pottery Barn that just arrived today. Sweet!
Colorful walls. Lots of art. Kitty perches to give the cats good places to hang out with me. Pictures here, although I now have a new Mac.
Speakers is a must – I have some older ones that sound pretty good.
Also have a couple pictures on my walls and my cockatiel (bird) that I brought into my office in his cage. I also have a dog bed for when one of my dogs comes to visit me.
I love our little fridge. It is within arms reach when ever I want a yogurt, pudding cup, Diet Hansen’s soda.
My husband and I got two bright red visitor chairs from Ikea. We always end up in the office when our friends come over. It’s nice having chairs for them.
I just moved into a new apartment. I am about to set up one room as an office, and get to start with a blank slate. So far I just have a desk, a chair, some speakers, and some plants planned. I am sure it will get more complicated…