5 Tips for Creating the Ideal Home Office

Whether you're working for a business, through the internet, or just for yourself, there's one thing that all home offices have - distractions. Kids, pets, messes, and squeaky office chairs can be detrimental to a person that works at home, in an environment that's meant to be comfortable and familiar. When an place isn't the best it can be, neither is the person that lives in it. What we spend time around influences who we are. For those that spend eight hours a day in a home office they aren't satisfied with, negative influences can lead to an unhappy outlook and an unhappy home. But never fear! Here are some great interior design tips to help create the perfect home office that's right for you.

A Splash of Paint

Believe it or not, colors have deep psychological effects on our brains. For those sensitive to their surroundings, they can influence mood and outlook over long periods of time. If you're stuck in a boring home office with whitewashed walls and no windows and notice you're not quite as happy as you could be, perhaps it's time for a change. A few splashes of color on those walls may make all the difference! Interior and graphic designers are all educated on the ways colors can effect mood. Typically, yellow is a no-no for walls because it can make people anxious, blue calms and relaxes, lavender soothes, and green and orange energize. Different hues can have different effects too, for example, while bright yellow can cause a feeling of uneasiness, a soft cream creates a cheerful feel, so it is a common color for baby's rooms.  Knowing how different colors effect you individually can have a great impact on your attitude, work ethic, and overall feeling throughout the day, if you surround yourself with the right colors. You may even decide to paint patterns! After all, it's your home. Why not make it yours? Taking a weekend to paint your office with a friend may be just the perk you need!

Let There Be Light

Ever wonder why skyscrapers have glass walls? Well, like color, light has a tremendous effect on human psychology. Scientific studies have proven that people work better in environments where there is plenty of natural sunlight to brighten their day. So if your home office doesn't have windows, and you know you like to look at the great outdoors, take a tip from the architects and choose a room with a view! Letting in some natural sunlight is sometimes the best decision an employer can make. It improves work ethic, mood, and energy levels among other things. Working at home allows you the freedom to take control of your surroundings. If your home office doesn't have windows, and artificial lighting for office use is insufficient, move your office to another part of your place that does, and turn the other room into something else fun. Vampires were last year's thing. Let's make 2014 a year of light!

Minimize Distractions

Now we get to the hard part - the dreaded distractions. As much as it's romanticized, working at home creates a breeding ground for distractions. Kids that want to play, pets that want to play, grown ups that want to play, it never seems to end! That's why letting people know when work time is work time is so important for those that work at home. Keeping dry-erase calendars and presentations boards for office are great tools. Use them to let your spouse, roommates, and friends know when your work hours are. That way, they know they're not to bother you during those times. To keep yourself on task, silence your cell phone, TV, and radio. Block social media sites during the day. Have a friend set the passwords on all of it without telling you if you must! Do whatever it takes. If you live with other people and sound is a problem, put some foam padding or fabric squares around your doors and walls to soundproof your space.
Unfortunately, kids and pets aren't accustomed to silence and the needs of others, but you may be able to work this to your advantage. Setting aside some break time during the day to go for a short, fifteen minute walk can break the tedium and improve mood in you, your kid, and your pet. Going to your local park is a welcome break from the workday, and the best part is, kids, pets, and bag lunches are almost always welcome!

The Right Furniture

Now that we've taken care of the walls and the beasts beyond them, it's time to fix the furniture! In the commercial business world, the rickety office desks of old just don't cut it in the modern era. Recent years have seen a huge rise in in the sales of office desks, modular workstations, and high tech cubicles. If you want your business to keep up, it's probably not a bad idea to refurbish your home office space. Of course, choosing the right furniture depends on the size of your room. Take the time to accurately measure the perimeters of your space and the furniture pieces you're thinking to buy. Consider the sort of furniture you'll need. For example, if you read a lot for work, bookcases are probably worth consideration. If you use technology, high tech office desks for computer use may have applications for tablets and other devices as well. You may even choose to go with furniture sets instead of individual desks. Furniture sets like the E55 Office Desk Typical by Mayline, and it's counterparts from the e5 collection make great additions to any home office. This collection offers furniture that's compact, include lots of storage space, is easy to power, and even comes in tons of colors to better match your new painted walls!

Comfortable Chair

Last but not least, we will address one of the most important decisions you can make for your home office. Comfortable office chairs are extremely important in all work environments. If the chairs are not optimal, improper seating positions over time can result in serious health problems, such as back pain, sciatica, joint problems, and poor circulation. That's part of the reason why so many corporate businesses have made the switch to comfortable desk chairs with ergonomic features to minimize health risks. Ergonomics is the study of comfort in the workplace, and no office furniture products show the advancements of this field better than office chairs. Even today's most affordable ergonomic chairs are equipped with the latest tilt tension features and lumbar supporting designs. Chairs with mesh backs, like the WAU-HIGH-BK-CHR Wau High Back Office Chair by Eurotech allow for breathability (and are usually highly affordable). Massaging chairs often offer heating features to soothe muscles, and ergonomic leather office chairs provide luxury executive style. One of the greatest things about working at home, is that you have control over your environment, all it takes is initiative!

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3 Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing a New Office Desk

Adding a stylish new office desk to any room can be a fun experience. Choosing the finish and the colors on the chair to match the room, and deciding where the desk could go gives many people the opportunity to use their creative side by playing interior designer. Unfortunately, while office decorating can be tons of fun, often the biggest mistake people can make is not hiring a professional to choose and install their desks. Amateurs often have a tendency to make the mistakes that people like interior designers have had drilled out of them through years and years of practice and repetition, but you don't have to fall victim too. Here are some helpful mistakes to avoid when purchasing a new office desk!

Don't Forget to Measure

Perhaps the biggest mistake any decorator can make is forgetting to measure. Inaccurate measurements can be disastrous letdowns, since most people typically don't find out their measurements were off until after their office desk arrives and is painstakingly assembled. The best way to avoid this is through careful reading of desk features and measurements. Once you've decided where to put your office desk, either in a home or business environment, use a tape measure or an electronic measuring tool to take account of the length of each wall that the desk could potentially touch. Never, ever forget to take into account how power outlets, doors, and windows function in the space so that you're aware of how the new piece of furniture may effect the room. Its never a bad idea to measure and sketch out the entire room on a piece of graph paper, making notes of where all the other furniture, doors, windows, and power outlets are and marking them to scale. Finally, read through all of the measurements of the desk you want to buy, including the measurements of its drawers and other extendable features. On another piece of graph paper, draw the desk to the same scale you used for the bedroom, then cut it out and see if it will fit in the space you want. Don't forget to leave a bit of extra space for yourself and the office chair.

Take Advantage of Deals

It's no secret that office desks can get expensive. Many executive desks for home and business use can easily exceed two-thousand dollars if you aren't careful. However, there are plenty of office desks at affordable prices available if you look for them in the right places, and looking in the right places begins by looking for coupons. Any office furniture retailer that cares about its customers will always have coupons floating around or sales going on, particularly on holidays. Never pay full price when you don't have to. Instead, wait around until for a holiday before you hit the internet to look for coupons and sales. While the best times to shop for office desks are usually around the bigger holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the big December days, it's still possible to find a few good sales and coupons on Mother's Day, Father's Day, Veteran's Day, and the Fourth of July. With all the deals going on, there's no excuse for mission out on all the goods when shopping for new office desks!

Don't Pay for Shipping

Don't ever pay for shipping when shopping for a new office desk. Even if the prices look lower on some websites, if it doesn't say "free shipping," know that you will definitely pay more than the difference if you buy from them. Most office furniture sites carry furniture from all the reputable names. Choosing affordable office furniture from top brands like Mayline, Cherryman Industries, or Global Total Office will ensure that your office desk is of the highest quality, since these some of the best office desk manufacturers out there today. Just the same, you should never have to pay the manufacturer's list price when buying quality furniture for office use. As we've said, office furniture can get expensive. Be sure to shop around a bit before buying. If you find a desk that you just can't live without on one website, write down its product code, then open a new tab and search for it to see if another site offers a larger discount with free shipping included. Not only will you have your dream desk, but your smart shopping may also leave you with enough money to buy a matching office chair as well!

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Modern Office Desks for Tight Spaces

For people with small offices in bedrooms, apartments, buildings, and dorm rooms, trying to get work done can be a huge ordeal. Whether you're trying to write an essay, work on a project, or just surf the web, tight spaces are well known for making everything a lot more difficult. Many people feel like they might have to knock out a wall just to get things done. Not so! While large office desks can support a lot more stuff, small office desks are often just as good. If you're office is cramped on space, checking out a few of these space-efficient desks may be your answer!

First on our list of space-efficient desks is a desk that manages to maintain the perfect balance of conventional necessity and small stature for those who need it. The Eastwinds Home Computer Desk by Mayline is a spectacular desk for both home and office use because of its sophisticated modern style and compact frame. You even get to pick from two stylish finish options to better match existing decor! Choosing desks like this from stylish computer desks for sale is always a great move for people with small office spaces. These small contemporary office desks can fit easily into corners or against walls to leave the rest of the room free for other things. With this desk and other's like it, you will never lack for function or style!

But say you need something even more fancy. Sometimes, desks like the one above, while beautiful,  just can't cut it for business executives. People with lots of prestige in their field often need a desk to reflect that, but being caught in a tight space can sometimes take a bite out of your dreams. Or... at least that's been the case in the past. The good news for all those small office executives out there is that the modern age had brought with it some modern executive desks to go with it. For bigwigs short on square footage, cool modern office desks like the Verde Modern Table Desk by Cherryman  or the Stella Small Veneer Desk by Mayline are the perfect answers! These smallish executive desks support tons of charisma in a much more space-friendly package!

What do you do when you have too many desks though? Sometimes a very common problem in many workplaces stems from the fact that there are simply so many individuals each with their own desk. Well, we can promise you that there is a simple solution to this matter. Often, the best way to solve the problem of too many small office desks is to just get one big one! That's right, modular multi user workstations a few awesome cubicles can save a ton of space. By grouping all the stations into little islands, you create a scenario where multiple individuals can work comfortably in a compact space. Units like the OFM Rize Single Cubicle Workstation can be added together for efficient use of space and they can be removed and stowed away according fluctuating business activity. Other units like the Mayline e5 Cubicle Workstation Configuration also make clever use of workspace by grouping four individual desks into a single modular unit. All of these modular workstations are easy to power and support, just make sure your co-workers get along before you get one!

Don't worry, we didn't forget about you college kids! Actually, as a matter of fact, the same desks that are perfect for dorm rooms are also amazing fits for apartments and bedrooms for those who wish to keep workspaces close by. Desks like the Eastwinds Adjustable Sit or Standing Desk are wonderful ways to get work done efficiently because they can even be organized so that you can work at the desk standing up. These desks in particular are especially favored by schools and doctor's offices for this very reason. Another great option includes the E-Series Varitask Ergonomic Desk by Mayline for anyone who needs a small place to surf the web from. Any of Mayline's Veritask desks are compact and stylishly designed so that they fit easily into corners to save room. In the world of versatile office furniture, the category of affordable student desks has seen a huge spike in popularity. Make sure you don't miss out on the opportunity!

Finally, we leave you with the creme de la cool from the world of sleek glass office desks for sale! No matter where you work or what your situation, the Jameson LS Work Center by Calico Designs will certainly lift your spirits. This relatively small glass office desk is made to brighten up the corners of a room, effectively taking everyone's eyes off of a room's lack of space by staying out of the way of everything. With the addition of unique corner office desks like this, you will always have room to spare, and the see-through glass tops remain unintrusive to the eyes so a room always looks clean and bare, no matter the size! With this desk and other like it from amazing brands like Mayline Furniture and Global Total Office, your biggest challenge will be finding ergonomic office chairs cool enough to match its incredible style!

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Cool Ways to Furnish Your Home Office

Whether your home is big, small, tall, or purple with pink polka dots, you should never have to settle for less with your home office! If you are thinking about adding one or updating your current home office with the latest in home furniture, don't let the fear of price tags keep your from giving yourself the best for all your hard work. There are plenty of affordable home office furniture items that no one should be without, and if you're confused about what to get, never fear! This article will tell you everything you need to know!

Home Office Desk

The first thing all home offices need to function properly are good office desks, but there's a lot of different kinds out there. Before you decide what to get, take some measurements of the space you plan to use so that you have an idea about how big or small your desk needs to be. From there, you can search until you find the perfect thing, although it probably won't take very long. The great thing about shopping for home office desks is that home office furniture manufacturers have made sure to include a lot of variety their selections. Be sure to search either affordable home computer desks and home executive desks for sale depending on the size of the office space you plan to work in. The names are usually a good indicator of desk size, with executive desks being larger and computer desks tending to be smaller. If you've already got a decor in mind, the finishes on stylish wood executive desks can go with just about anything. If you want a sleeker look to your space, the chrome accents cool modern office desks and the clean look of glass office desks are bound to catch a few eyes!

Home Office Chair

No one wants to sit all day slouched over in a shabby old chair. Since you're already giving yourself an upgrade or a new home office, why not just go straight for the new, right? Don't worry, the price tag won't bite on this one. Just shop around a bit and you're bound to find great deals on leather, modern, vinyl, memory foam, massaging, and every chair in between! If you want the ultimate in comfort without having to pay the ultimate price, ergonomic office chairs are an amazing choice that no one ever regrets. These highly adjustable, comfortable office chairs were crafted after years of study on efficiency in the workplace, so they are perfectly suited to solve all your office chair needs, including the ones that prevent back pain. But ergonomic chairs aren't the only comfortable options out there. For a chair with built in temperature control, versatile mesh back chairs have great breathability, and for plush comfort, luxury executive chairs are tough to beat. All in all, whether you want the ritzy or the simple, desk chairs for the home office will always get the job done without breaking your bank.

Home Storage Products

Now, if you're gonna go through the process of adding a home office to your house, you're also going to need a place to store all your home office stuff. Things like pens, papers, magazines, files, folders, and three-hole punches can clutter up a space pretty quick if you can't find a space to put all of them. As moms everywhere know, the best way to deal with a mess is to prevent it, and the best way to prevent that home office tornado-look is to go ahead and get some home office storage products to clean up a room in advance! The best way to shop office storage configurations is to reconsider the size of your space. If you've got a small room, the smartest way to store things is by building up rather than out. Adding some sturdy office shelving or a few vertical file cabinets are great ways to accomplish this. If you've got a large room on the other hand, you'll probably want to choose a storage configuration that will take up some floor space, filling up the room and freeing up your walls for some artwork! If this is the case, toss in some bookcases or a few spacious storage cabinets to dress up the boring spots!

Home Office Accessories

Just like any good outfit, no space should be without a few accessories. In home offices, this is especially important because accessories can often make the difference between a highly efficient office and an unproductive one. The amazing thing about office accessories is that they usually cost very, very little in comparison to other office furniture products, yet there are times when they can seem to do the most. Anyone whose ever spilled a cup of coffee near their computer or hard drive can tell you about the dreadful feeling that rises when it happens, but with CPU holders, you won't have to worry about a splash-crash ever again. These amazing accessories hold computer hard drives up off the ground by mounting to the underside of desks, freeing up leg room and preventing accidents before they even occur. If you find yourself leaning over the desk to type, you could be putting yourself at risk for major health problems that could be solved by simply adding sliding keyboard trays under your desk. These little beauties slide out to meet you in your chair rather than forcing you to hunch over, saving both your desk's surface space and your spine! If you're straining to see a computer screen, popular monitor arms mounted to walls or desks extend the length a computer screen can stretch to reach you while simultaneously freeing up desk space. Additionally, if you've got a lot of other accessories and no place to put them, office utility carts are the perfect thing. Able to act as file trucks, supply tables, and even printer stands, mobile office carts can be wheeled around and easily stowed away as needed!

Home Office for Students

With all the homework kids get nowadays, its no wonder manufacturers are turning out school desks at lightning speed. For kids headed back to grade school, one of the best things a parent can provide them with is a place to work on their studies in peace while they're at home, but you don't have to spend a bundle either. There are tons of small computer desks for kids out there that fit easily into bedroom corners, and they look pretty stylin' too. The best part is that they won't cost a ton of money. Some are even collapsable, and can be stowed away under beds or behind dressers to save space when not in use. These same desks are particularly great for college students stuck in small dorm rooms. Additionally, simple desk chairs make wonderful student seating for your kid's mini home office. Not only do they look cool, but they're usually mobile, and some come complete with "nesting" features so they can fold up as needed too!

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4 Cool Home Office Desks for Sale Under $300

Around the holiday season we are often asked about affordable office desks that won't break the budget. It seems more and more people are interested in a having a cool desk with ergonomic features these days and for that reason we've decided to share some of our favorite new home office desks from industry leading manufacturers. Enjoy!

First up, the Mayline Vision Desk. This unique and modern computer desk features curved metal legs with a tempered glass insert in the work surface for added style. The 972 model Mayline Vision desk also offers a top accessory shelf that can locate on left or right side of the desk. The slide-out keyboard tray, sleek steel cross leg design and metallic-gray powder coat finish are also stand out features. Enjoy this awesome product in a choice of anthracite or medium cherry laminates for only $141.99 with free shipping.

The 50400 Monterey corner desk by Calico Designs is another versatile and affordable home office desk solution that is perfect for those in the market for contemporary desking. The 50400 desk works well in both home and business environments and features modern style that is sure to impress. This modern glass corner desk offers ample work space, chrome plated w/ black powder coated Steel legs, and black tempered safety glass for added durability. This awesome package can be yours for $268.99. 

Still need more? No problem, the  50320 Jameson Computer Tower is another great addition to our list. This corner station features a stylish pewter finish with glass shelves. The 50320 offers tempered safety glass and floor levelers for uneven surfaces. This home office desk sells for $275.99 and works well in smaller spaces. Essentially, if you need a small computer desk, you can't beat the 50320 Jameson computer tower in terms of price vs. value.

Last but not least, the 905 Mayline Eastwinds Series Home Computer Desk. This little computer desk offers a little bit of everything. Style, value, and quality all rolled into one! The 905 Eastwinds home computer desk is available in two attractive finishes and typically ships quickly as Mayline Furniture is usuallyin stock. Features of this awesome workstation include a box-file pedestal for storage, floor-supported CPU shelf, and a powder coated frame finish.

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