Home offices or spaces have become so popular now that at least one third of all homes have one. With technology racing forward at such an incredible pace, home offices have become of the most sought after spaces in a home. Even corporations are starting to figure out that it’s often much less expensive to have employees work out of their home than to pay for the real estate, utilities and other expenses associated with providing office space for them.With the new trend toward homes becoming multifunctional, its no surprise that homes are now becoming a workplace, a vacation retreat and an entertainment spot along with a home for the family.

So where do you place your home office? Before you make that decision, do a little investigation first. Will just you be using your home office or the whole family? Will customers be coming to your home office? If so, set up your home office in the front of your home or in a room that has a separate outside entrance that’s easily accessible and within view from the street.

If the home office includes children with internet access, then consider placing the office in a public area where you can observe the children’s activity such as a kitchen or loft.
However, if the home office is just for you, think about how you want the home office to work for you. If you want to be able to see what’s going on in the backyard and have a little more privacy, place your office in the back, but if you need to monitor who’s coming in and out of the front door and you don’t mind interruptions from passer bys, the front of your house would be great.

To set up a successful working home office, consider the purpose of your room or area and start by getting rid of clutter before setting up shop. Go through everything that’s to be placed in your home office. Throw away anything that’s not an absolute necessity. Then organize your supplies and paperwork into labeled files or storage units to keep clutter to a minimum. For example, a leftover armoire could have shelves added to create an office supply area or you could tuck away less used office equipment and files away in a closet. Don’t forget about vertical storage either. If you just have a small area for an office, why not place stacking shelves on your desktop to add more space or hang shelves on the wall above your work area.

Add ample lighting that’s both functional and attractive, plus make comfort a priority. To create a comfortable inviting space, bring in furniture and accessories that are appealing to you such as a dramatic dining room table or a beautiful armoire. Remember, just because it’s a home office, doesn’t mean that you have to use office furniture. How about a designer table lamp for desk lighting and an urn for a trash can? Or why not use a gorgeous paneled screen to hide unsightly office equipment or add a mini bar to house snack and drinks. Don’t forget about comfortable furniture either such as an upholstered chair and a beautiful area rug to make you feel at home. The possibilities are endless.

Designer’s Eye column was written by Karen Mills of Interiors by Design, Inc. and host, Living Large.