Below is a guest posting about using ‘industrial’ design elements in your home design. As we know this is a popular design trend right now. S Interior Design recommends using touches of these elements and not going overboard ……..this advice is sound regardless of design trend being incorporated into an overall design plan. Eclectic mixes of design elements that reflect your personal taste is always a winning way to design your space.
9 Tips To Create A Home Office You’ll Actually Want To Work In
When I saw the title to this post we were being asked to share with our readers I thought ‘Wow, great timing, I could use a bit of inspiration in my own home office right about now!”
Home offices can be a blessing and a curse. You get to work at home, avoid a stressful commute and really work in a space that you make your own.
At the same time, I think that if you don’t have a space that you enjoy working in, it can make you unproductive or leave you unmotivated.
So, if you are looking for some home office design ideas to make your office a dream to work in, take a look at some of my easy and fun tips to achieve a home office you will actually look forward to working in.
1. Use a Theme
I know what you might be thinking, that themes are tacky are won’t work for a home office. But let me just tell you, it’s not true. Themes can work well for an office space and give you easy design rules to follow for a beautifully put together space.
One of my personal favorite themes to use is a coastal theme. This one works particularly well in a home office because it focuses on lots of white furniture, lots of light and wooden accents.
2. Decorate functionally
I know that looking at Pinterest is good for inspiration but don’t forget that the room needs to be workable as well.
Of course you can still choose a well-designed space but don’t forget to include practical items like a filing cabinet or lots of desk space.
3. Embrace natural light
I think we all know that no-one wants to work in a dark and depressing space so make sure you are making the most of the natural light that you have in the room. Use white curtains or blinds to let the light through. If you want to, you could get rid of the curtains completely to make sure that you get as much light in the room as possible.
I know that this might not be possible for everyone, and if your home office is lacking in natural or direct sunlight, you can achieve a similar effect if you add lamps to your home office. It’s not quite the same as the real thing, but goes a long way to helping you create a bright and airy home office.
Image source
4. Add comfortable elements
Adding a lounge chair or armchair can be a great way to relax when you need to read over some papers or simply just want a break from your desk.This is particularly important because it means that when you want to sit somewhere comfortable you don’t need to leave your office and you remain in work mode.
5. Optimize Storage
When it comes to storage you need to really make the most of the space you have with an organized and efficient storage system. Make sure that you have a place for everything and that everything goes back into its place.
Before you take on this task I would recommend making sure you have all the files, boxes and storage items you need to efficiently organize your office.
6. Green Touches
This is one of my favorite tips, as not only does adding plants improve the air quality of the room, it also gives the room a fresher and more alive feeling.
If you want to keep your home office closed on the weekends, keep in mind that you need to choose plants that don’t need watering all the time.
7. Personalize
I love to personalize my house with photos of friends and family, and a home office should be no exception. Use photos and mementos of friends, family and good times to personalize your office space and add a familiar touch.
Don’t forget to rotate them so they don’t get too boring and familiar.
Image source
8. Keep it clutter free
This might seem like one of the most obvious tips for creating a home office that you actually want to work in, but I think it’s one of the most important.
Keeping it organized and tidy can really help you work better but also keeps your motivated to work there, no one wants to work in a messy office.
9. Stock up
This one is an easy one to follow but makes all the difference. Making sure you have all the things when you need makes sure that you are efficient use of your time and you aren’t having to run out to the store all the time.
This also has the added advantage of being able to make use of bulk discounts, ultimately saving you money which is never a bad thing!
Image source
So there you have it, some easy tips to make the most of your home office space. If you are looking for ways to create a home office that you actually want to work in, give one of these ideas a go and I promise you will be loving your home office in no time.
Hannah Hutchinson
Being passionate about beautiful interiors and architecture, I also have recently begun to write and contribute to this knowledge ecosystem. I strongly believe that the place we create around us has a strong influence on our personal well-being. Follow me for my inspirations and musings at @hannahhutch5 and Pinterest.
Mastering the Guest Bath: Creating a Stylish Space
Below is a guest post on the subject of designing and out fitting a guest bathroom. Any guest would be thrilled to be able to use any of these fabulous bathrooms while staying at your home.
S Interior Design thinks these design ideas and inspirations are very worthy of consideration for a MASTER BATHROOM too!
Mastering the Guest Bath: Creating a Splashy and Stylish Space
While most homeowners are prepared for the design demands of outfitting their bedrooms and en-suites, few give much thought to designing a spare bathroom for visitors. No matter if you’ve got a small space for a guest bath or a large and luxurious loo, there are plenty of design strategies for creating comfort and coziness for weary travelers.
If you’re looking to design or makeover an existing bathroom, here are some design ideas to incorporate:
Clean and Serene
A sparkling and clutter-free guest bath will give visitors permission to feel at ease. Muted and neutral colors work well in a guest bathroom. Pick from a palette of beige, gray or white to set a tranquil tone. Tan or lightly speckled floor tiles are a wise choice to add sophistication and style.Vintage cabinetry, marble counter tops and recessed lighting create a spa-like atmosphere.
Style Swagger
Guests will relish a bathroom that is both polished and trendy. Adding design elements like lucite hardware or chrome drawer pulls, a vessel sink and a waterfall faucet help to create more excitement in an ordinary bathroom. To score maximum points with guests, upgrade the bathroom space with a towel warmer, dimmer lighting and heated floors. And to give visiting company an extra bliss hit, try adding luxurious décor like a crystal chandelier or clawfoot tub.
Divine Dip
In addition to a claw foot tub that guests can use for soaking away travel tension, a chic shower provides out-of-towners with a way to expunge stress. Designed with marble tile and glass, a walk-in shower is ideal for a guest bathroom. A rain shower head, bench seating and shower niche allow guests to slip into vacation mode.
Soap Opera
Preparing a home for guests often requires organization, creativity and a little elbow grease. Visiting guests may require toiletries, towels and other miscellaneous necessities that they forgot or left at home. One way to ensure that guests are comfortable is to design the guest bath with the adequate storage and cabinetry for bathroom supplies. A vanity with numerous drawers and a glass linen tower will house all necessary bath essentials.Adding a basket or apothecary jars is a great idea for adorning counter tops and creating storage. Spare toothpaste, shampoo and razors should be stockpiled ahead of time and displayed for guests.Wall shelving or hidden hampers can also be installed for extra storage options.
Odds and Ends
Candles, lotions and trays of washcloths are a must have in a guest bath. Decorating with fresh flowers and novelty soaps is also a stellar way to accessorize a guest bath. Need another way to turn a guest bath into a warm and inviting space? Fill the walls with artwork, shelves for additional bathroom bits or add a display of a prized collection like antique perfume bottles. Resist the urge to go overboard with a theme or add excessive knick-knacks; the guest bathroom should feel clean, airy and spacious.
Don’t be afraid to play with textures, prints and colors in the guest bath. Fresh fluffy white towels often look beautiful when perched near cold marble, while funky patterned wallpaper looks chic when balanced with crisp white counter tops. Designing a bathroom with contrasting elements will give it more character and make it feel distinct and elegant.
Enjoy the process of decorating and designing a guest bath, as it will be the place for friends and family to unwind. A guest bath should be a sanctuary for visitors and homeowners alike.
Guest post author: LuxeDecor
Guest Post by Amy Spagnola for LuxeDecor
Design Inspiration Boards
I am fortunate to be working on some fun guest room design projects for a well-traveled client. Her idea for the guest room design in her spacious home is to have each of the (4) guest spaces reflect a favorite and/or meaningful place she has spent time. To help define the look and feel for the rooms, S Interior Design is creating mood boards to help her visualize the end result.
Here are 2 of those boards.
Always remember ‘A PICTURE SPEAKS A THOUSAND WORDS’
Fun With Ceiling Fans
Here in AZ ceiling fans are mandatory. They need not be boring just because they are functional. Every design can be represented; from the most basic white to multi-level Tuscan and as seen here, sleek and contemporary too.