Style and Home, Furnishing Your Workspace

After determining the space you have to work with in your office, and considering its decor, it is time to think about adding the furniture you will use to get your work done.

Take a look at your needs for your home office.

Do you need...

    A flat work station with large surface area?
    Storage for paperwork or products?
    A place to house a desktop computer?
    Seating for visitors or clients?
    Space for a phone, fax machine, printer, scanner, or other such item?

Style and Home, The Psychology of Color

Once you have considered the space for your home office, determined where your desk and chairs will be and how they will be used, it's time to start incorporating elements of personal style into your office decor. The simplest way to do this is to paint one or more walls. But what color is right for your office?

Red: Red is seen as a power color, but it has been known to impair performance because the color is associated with danger, warnings, and failure. Red is also used in many food advertisements and restaurant signs because it increases appetite. If you have a red office, keep the snacks far away.

Orange: Orange contributes to feelings of enthusiasm and warmth, which may assist if your work involves meetings and you want to give a warm impression to your guests.