Modern Home Office Ideas

Don't let a blah home office ruin your workday.at home office image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com

More people than ever are choosing to work from home, whether they are freelancers, own their own business or work on flex time for a larger business. Home offices are not one-size-fits-all. Now you can represent your home's décor, as well as your own philosophies and needs, to make an office work for you and your space.

Eco-friendly

When choosing furniture for an eco-friendly office, look for items made with responsibly harvested wood or easily renewable materials like bamboo. You also want a material-efficient design, meaning oversized furniture that's not entirely usable is out. Look for pieces with a nontoxic finish, as toxins used on furniture are often left to seep into the ground and water supplies. Another route is to look for secondhand furniture that you can repurpose for your office. Connect all of your electronic equipment to a single power strip that you can shut off easily when you're not in your office. Energy-efficient windows and bamboo flooring will complete your eco-agenda.

This urban look is especially appropriate in a loft space, but really any area will do. The room should look like you just moved into a warehouse-type space, with exposed brick walls and a cement floor. Keep the minimalism going with metal office furniture and accessories and glass partitions.

With the popularity of the laptop, almost any space in your home can act as an office---good news for those short on space or who don't have an entire room to devote to work. The best thing about a hideaway office is that it allows you to keep all of your work supplies in the same area but is easy to close up when you want to entertain or just don't want to be reminded of work. Fit or build a desk into a closet or pantry and use the door as hanging space. Another creative idea is to build in a drop-down desk, similar to a Murphy bed, and use an all-purpose chair for seating. Hide papers and office supplies in decorative boxes and baskets. To make the area cozier, add wallpaper and appropriate lighting.