The way we work is changing! If this wasn’t apparent prior to 2020, it has become crystal clear after the pandemic when so many workplaces shifted from traditional office work to so many of us working from the comfort of our own homes. While some people have moved back to their previous office spaces, many of us have found that our workplaces continue to be fluid. In fact, Forbes estimates that over 12% of people work from home full-time while 28% work a hybrid model.
There’s no doubt that working from home can offer a variety of benefits for employees and employers alike. Saving money on travel, making your own hours, and working in your pajamas all make it an enticing option over fighting traffic to get to a 9-5. Working from home, however, can also come with its own set of challenges, including the need to create a proper work environment.
Having the right workspace and tools at home to meet your (and your boss’) performance objectives is a must. After all, your livelihood may depend on it. A comfortable space to complete your responsibilities can help boost your productivity, stay on task, and spark your creativity.
No matter what your job may entail, any good workspace starts with a comfortable desk. At Star Furniture, we’re proud to offer a variety of desks to meet anyone’s home decor style, personal taste, and functional needs. From writing tables to power desks and accouterments like desk chairs, file cabinets, guest chairs, bookcases, and more.
If your home office leaves a lot to be desired in terms of style, practicality, or comfort, the trusted Star Furniture design team is here to guide you along the journey of finding your ideal home office desk. Before you begin office desk shopping, like the successful business person you are, do your homework.
Start your own performance review and ask yourself these 5 questions.
How do I work at home? Is home my full-time office?
Just as different workspaces outside of the home are tailored to meet the unique job requirements, the same is true for your home office. Thinking about the job that you’ll be doing will determine what type of office space you should create. Will this be your full-time office space or will you only use it on occasion?
If you’ll be splitting your time between working from home and a different location, you may be able to get away with utilizing a smaller area of your home. On the other hand, if you plan to use your home office full-time, chances are you’ll need quite a bit more room to spread out as well as store and organize items.
For full-time work, creating a makeshift workspace at the end of your dining room table simply isn’t going to cut it. For one thing, dining room tables were meant for eating, not typing emails. In addition, your dining room table provides no place to organize your office supplies appropriately.
Instead, a traditional desk would be a much more practical option and a spacious one at that. Be sure to look for an office desk that has ample surface space to hold all the tools you use on a regular basis, particularly your computer.
Choosing a desk with built-in storage, such as this executive desk from Star Furniture, is a great way to keep all of your paperwork and important essentials on hand, tidy, and organized without taking up a lot of floor space. If your home office is roomy, however, and you manage a lot of paperwork, consider a home office credenza, sometimes called a sideboard or cabinet.
Modern file cabinets have come a long way from the ugly metal boxes of old. Along with providing valuable storage space that can help you stay on top of your work, a stylish file cabinet can contribute to the visual appeal of your home office.
Is my home office desk in a dedicated room?
When you think of the perfect home office, you probably envision an entire room that’s designated for work, complete with a handsome wooden desk, oversized leather chair, and a picturesque window with a view. In reality, most people who work from home do so where they can. Think the breakfast room table, their lap on the sofa, etc.
Having a specific room to dedicate to your work is certainly ideal, especially if you work from home full-time, but it’s not required in order to create a functional workspace. Today’s home designs often include multi-functional spaces, hybrids that serve as home offices, hobby rooms and even guest suites.
If you’re worried about where your overnight visitors will sleep the one or two times a year that they drop by, we’ve got you covered. Adding a hidden bed to your home office or replacing the sofa in your living room with a sleeper sofa solves this problem without overcrowding your house with an additional bed.
It needs to be stated that you don’t have to have a mansion to create a comfortable workspace at home. If using a spare bedroom is out of the question, remember: sharing is caring. It’s possible to incorporate your home office in your TV room or a dedicated corner of a larger room. Got an open-concept floor plan? This is a great option for you!
Blending different living spaces together is simple enough in theory, but there are a few factors to consider before you jump right into the process. First of all, the desk that you choose should be the appropriate size for the space. One that’s too small will likely get lost while one that’s too big will make the room feel cluttered.
Additionally, it’s important to choose a desk and other office furniture that complements the existing decor within the space. If your home is decorated in traditional furnishings, adding a farmhouse office desk or one that’s glamorous and chic might look out of place. Instead, the desk should seamlessly flow with all the other pieces in the space. The ultimate goal is cohesiveness.
Will other family members be using my new desk?
Let’s face it. If you bring a desk into a home with other people living there (i.e. your children), chances are that you won’t be the only one using it. It’s common for home office desks to be used by some people for work, some for household endeavors like making grocery lists and planning family vacations, and others for homework or projects.
When multiple people are using the same workspace for different purposes, it can influence the type of desk you select. For instance, if the whole family uses and enjoys the home office desk and it’s in a prominent position in your home, both quality and aesthetics are considerations. It’s good “business” to invest in the best!
It’s also wise to invest in a desk that offers plenty of storage space. Having a variety of drawers conveniently built into your desk can give everyone the room they need to keep their papers, homework, supplies, and other necessities organized, easily accessible, and, most importantly, out of the way of the other people who will be using the space.
Pro tip: if you have young kids at home or work that shouldn’t be tampered with, look for a desk with drawers that can be locked. You’ll thank us later.
What are my tech needs?
There’s no doubt that the style and storage capabilities of your home office desk are important considerations when shopping for a desk for your home office, but the most significant feature to keep in mind when choosing any desk to bring into your home is its ability to accommodate your technical needs. In this modern age, so many of us rely heavily on technology to complete our jobs. Because of this, the desk that you use to perform your duties should be set up in a way that supports your technological devices.
Space is the first factor to consider. Is the desk you’re interested in bringing home spacious enough to comfortably hold your computer? Maybe this is a non-issue if you work from a laptop, but it’s worth thinking about if you use a desktop, even more so if you use large or multiple screens. What about other tech components? Don’t forget to provide enough surface space for printers, copiers, and any other equipment you need to do your job.
Depending on where you plan to position the desk in your home office, you may also be interested in choosing one with built-in outlets to connect you with a power supply and cord management systems. These will allow you to plug in your computer, devices, a table lamp, and anything else you may need, regardless of where the nearest outlet in the room is located.
Is my desk part of my professional branding?
We all know the business advice to “dress for success.” Consider that the appearance of your home office is an important piece of your wardrobe! Imagine you hop onto a Zoom call with co-workers, supervisors and even clients. What will they think when they see your work area? More importantly, what will your desk say about you? If the answer is not professional, polished, and prepared, it’s time to make some changes.
Whether you’re an established professional or at the very beginning of your career, impressions and optics make a difference! A professional home office, and your desk in particular, is a brilliant investment and one you won’t regret. You’ll feel confident and at your best seated at a beautiful high-functioning desk. What’s more, everyone will see it.
Professionals rely on professional advice. Whether you’re a rising star or already a captain of industry, a Star Furniture designer can help you curate a home office workspace to take you to the next level.
Find Your Ideal Home Office Desk at Star Furniture
Working from home should be a pleasure. Whether you do so a few times a month or you’re a full-time remote employee, your home office space should be catered to your particular space, job, and personal needs.
The secret to any practical work-from-home space is investing in the right desk. As we all know, not every office desk is created equally. With this in mind, it’s important to choose a desk that can accommodate your work equipment, complements the existing decor of your home, and sets you up for success with your colleagues and clients.
At Star Furniture, our trusted design team is happy to help you bring your ideal home office dreams to life, starting with the desk. Visit us online to browse through our selection of office desks and home office furniture in a variety of styles. From built-in storage to unique designs, we have something for everyone!
If you enjoyed this blog, check out this one about seven furniture designs that never get old.