Decorating Your Home Office

Twelve years ago, I set up my first home office, and many of my friends and family members were a little puzzled. "What will you do in there?" they asked, seemingly confused as to why I'd need a whole room instead of just a corner table where I could pay bills and store mail. I explained to them that I would be telecommuting, and they didn't quite get it. It was 1995, the term was little known in the business world, and people's reactions to it ranged from confused to suspect over the whole notion of combining home and work space.

Within a few years, all this changed. Most people learned more and more about telecommuting and home-based businesses, until it was accepted as a legitimate (and for many people, a preferable) way to work. Now, more than a decade after I set up my first home office, most people I know also have a fully equipped workspace in their homes, whether they work at home or not.

Today, people set up home offices for a variety of purposes, and many find that decorating these rooms can pose unique challenges. For instance, are there affordable yet attractive ways to contain inherently unattractive things like office supplies and files? And what kind of desk do you really need?

To begin decorating (or redecorating) your home office, think through some of the basics concepts important to this (and every) space:

Location. Will you need an entire room or just a portion of a room? For the heavy use home office, an entire room (if you have one to spare) may be warranted. Or you may want to create a combination home office/guest room using a spare bedroom. Also consider the type of space you'd like to work in. If you crave natural light and views of the outdoors, try to select an area where you'll have easy access to a window. Also make sure you're near electrical outlets and a phone jack, so you won't have long cords running all over the place.

Furnishings. A desk and chair will likely be at the top of your list of furniture needs. You may also need a filing cabinet, a printer stand, and bookshelves. Go for double-duty furnishings if your space is small. For instance, forgo a printer stand and place your printer on top of a short filing cabinet or on your bookshelf.

Lighting. Proper lighting is crucial to every work environment. You'll likely need overhead lighting (a fixture on the ceiling that throws bright light over the entire space) and task lighting (a lamp on your desk, e.g., to simplify reading).

Accessories. This may be a workspace, but don't forget: it's in your home, so you can decorate it in any way you please. Forget traditional office accessories like boring, Lucite desk clocks and bland art. Accessorize your home office with things that you love, whether that means framed Picasso prints, a collection of Cabbage Patch dolls, or sports memorabilia.

Storage. Things, things, and more things-where can you put them all? Think outside the box-the plastic black in-box, that is. Try baskets for files, books, even supplies. For a printer stand, consider using an old bench painted in the shade of your choice. An armoire (snagged on superclearance, of course) can house all your office supplies, and your filing cabinet can get an easy makeover if you toss a beautiful tablecloth over it. Business cards don't have to be slipped into a boring card file. I keep mine in a whimsical coffee mug a friend gave me one Christmas. They're neat, organized alphabetically, and always within reach.

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Contemporary Office Furniture

Contemporary Office Furniture refers to items of furniture that are commonly seen in today's modern offices etc. When planning the layout of an office there are a few things to take into consideration such as; how many staff need to accommodated for, and what is the best and most productive layout possible with the furniture that is being used.

It is therefore important to purchase the most appropriate type of furniture for the kind of office style that best suits its intended use; for example; does the office need to sectioned off into small work bays, or is an opened more communicative type of office more desirable?

Whatever type of office you choose, there are always many different options when planning the layout of the office furniture. There is a massive range of designs and styles to suit almost any requirements, and these can range from simple seating requirements to sophisticated space saving streamlined items of furniture which can enhance the look and productivity of the office.

There is a huge range of contemporary office furniture available, and the designs styles and colours are almost limitless. Some of the items available can include:

· Desks

· Seating

· Reception desks

· Meeting and conference furniture

· Screens

· Filing and storage

Office desks are available in various designs and sizes, with a choice of laminate, glass and real wood veneers and many different styles and colours. Most office desks are suitable for almost all different departments, and depending on the customers requirements may have integrated cable management, clever leg designs, are very comfortable and offer a wide range of storage, pedestals and accessories to match.

Executive desks will generally be of a more sophisticated design and styling, and will make a fashionable statement in the home or office. Ultra modern executives may want something that stands out from the crowd, and glass office desks are ideal for this purpose. Veneered executive desks make use of real woods and desks constructed in this way can be used to suit all styles of offices from traditional to modern.

Seating and chairs are available in a mix of traditional and modern designs, and will suit a number of uses. They have been designed to provide good lumbar support and excellent levels of comfort and many companies offer a choice of upholstery, leathers, colours and textures.

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10 Tips For Decorating Your Office For Halloween

It is almost that time of the year, Halloween, when it is socially acceptable play dress up and eat copious amounts of sweets without being judged. Personally, one of my favorite days of the year. You probably already have your costume laid out, your Halloween plans made, your Halloween decorations in place at your home, but what about decorating your office? If you want to take Halloween to a new level this year and get in the festive spirit, consider taking some time to decorate your office for Halloween without pushing the envelope too far.

Spider Webs: These are quite possibly the oldest Halloween prop around, but they can instantly turn your office into a spooky hit. They are also relatively easy to put up and take down. Around Halloween season you can find spider webs at virtually any store at a low cost. Hang them along the walls, across desks, over the door, or even on your office chair. Add fake plastic spiders or spider rings you can wear in the webs to spice it up a little more!
Costumes: If Halloween falls on a work day, have some fun and wear your costume to the office, if permitted to do so. As long as it is work appropriate, have your employees and yourself dress up to get in the Halloween spirit and make work pass by a little faster. Costume contests for the best costume at work are also a great idea to encourage others to dress up.
Pumpkins: If you have some extra time on your hands, carve a pumpkin for work! Extra points for pumpkins that include a company name or logo on it. If you do not want to spend a lot of money or time carving a pumpkin for work, there are also plenty of fake pumpkins that are already carved and will not break your budget. Place them on desks or counters and they will give everyone something to look at to brighten up their day.
Pot of Candy: If you use the excuse that you are too old to trick or treat or want to get your candy fix early, consider investing in a pot of candy. Buy a plastic black bowl that you can find at any local store and fill it up with your favorite candies such as Twix, Snickers, and Butterfingers. Then set it out on your desk or anywhere easily accessible to allow others working in the office to help themselves.
Black and Orange Streamers: Streamers are one of the easiest and cheapest Halloween decorations to put up. Just use some masking tape and intertwine the black and orange streamers and you are good to go. Hang them on your walls, across your desk, or anywhere in your office that is looking a little bare.
Balloons: Everyone loves balloons, and during this time of the year many party supply stores offer packs of black and orange balloons. Get black and orange string to tie the balloons and set them free in places where they will be easy to take down later. Make sure not to set them free in places that you can not reach or you will have to wait for them to deflate on their own. Try not to go overboard on the balloons and stick to 10 or less.
Inflatables: Pick up some pumpkin, witch, and ghost inflatables and set them around the office. You can even have them sitting in your office chair while you are out to lunch or sitting on your desk to give you some entertainment throughout the day. You can even put them on your company lawn to show you are really in the spirit of Halloween.
Black Lights: If you are really in the Halloween mood and looking to go all out consider investing in some black lights. Put them in hallways or places where you do not need good light or reading light. They will really give your office a spooky vibe and a haunted house feel if you are looking to go above and beyond in your decorating plan.
Banner: Hang up a Halloween Banner in the office some place where everyone can see it. Try using a wall or outside a door to really showcase your spirit. Many party stores have these with many different designs, so pick one that best suits your office. If you work with kids, try to pick one that is not too scary and more kid friendly.
Decorate the door: Purchase a large vinyl or plastic Halloween table cloth and cover your door with it. You can also buy a large roll of black felt from a fabric store and cover the door that way. Get extra creative and cut out pumpkins or letters that spell out Happy Halloween and adhere them to the felt. You can also hang happy Halloween signs or plastic bats from the door knob.

Have some fun in your workplace this year while preparing for the spookiest holiday of the year.

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