Cover Photo: Hege in France

For many of us, these last several months of working-from-home have blurred the lines between personal and professional time, space and let’s face it — energy. Our home office has grown legs somehow and meandered into sometimes the kitchen, the couch, the actual home office, to the closet floor because it’s the only quiet space in the house. There’s got to be a better way, so we enlisted expert interior stylist, Rashmi Patel of Rushme Home, to guide us through creating a workspace at home that’s both inspiring and functional.

 

 

Finding the Right Space

 

Unlike the kitchen table or other communal-spaces, your home office should be a focused area that allows for creative thought and productivity. Above all, it’s important to love the space you’re in.

That said, Rashmi suggests considering the following:

• Lighting: Focus on natural light, even if your workspace is not in direct sunlight
• Simplicity: Look for an existing space in your home that’s clutter-free and therefore likely anxiety-free. It could even be a corner in your master bedroom like Rashmi chose to do

 

Interior Designers’ Famous Last Words: It Should Flow

 

Once you’ve identified an area for your home office, try to work with what you have. What we mean by that is while Pinterest can be great for inspiration, try to stick with your existing aesthetic. Rashmi cautions, “Avoid buying 20 items just because you can.” Though retail therapy is appealing in the moment, it often leads to regret and frustration when trying to work new items into an existing space.

Instead, allow your workspace to naturally (and comfortably) fit into your home and lifestyle.

Workspace Essentials

 

When it comes to designing the space you’ve identified, Rashmi recommends keeping it simple. Her exact words were, “Don’t make yourself look busy” — which makes total sense! So how do we do that?

Declutter:

Hide wires and other “anxiety-provoking” things. Rashmi does this by tucking wires away into a drawer. Another option is finding a basket for all your chargers and other necessary tech-trinkets. Essentially, the goal is to conceal, conceal, conceal.

At the end of the work day, put everything back in its spot and leave the desk clear of papers and other supplies. This way, and as Rashmi puts it, “…you’re not waking up to your work the next day.”

Think like a Minimalist:

You’ll first need a desk. Rashmi opted for a writing desk from West Elm to keep the overall look streamlined, functional and not an eyesore. We’ve also added a few more we love below, under Shop this Post. Again, try to find something that will work within the existing room and your decor. It doesn’t, and frankly shouldn’t, consume the space and rather compliment it.

A comfortable office chair is a must! “Cute doesn’t always cut it!” as Rashmi says. Invest in an office chair that is supportive, comfortable, and functional while still maintaining consistency with your aesthetic.

Keep a “one of each” mindset. In other words, you really only need 1 pen, 1 pad, 1 highlighter, etc. — not 10 of each. The more office supplies taking up prime desk-real estate, the less space you have to actually work.

Always incorporate a “happy item.” Rashmi suggests having something that inspires you, calms you, and most importantly makes you happy is an absolute essential. For her, that’s a candle and a plant. Regardless of what that item(s) is, it should truly make you smile every time you sit down at your desk.

 

A special thank you to Rashmi for lending her expertise for this feature! Find her at RushMeHome.com.

 

 

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