Decorating A Home Office By Michele Hollow With more than 50 million Americans working from home in some manner, the home office has come along way. Years ago, having a corner window office meant having status. Today, however, many Americans are trading in their power suits for pajamas. Working at home full time or telecommuting is no longer a trend. More than 13 million Americans work from home full time. Thirty-five percent of all U.S. households work at home offices in some capacity, according to the American Internet Users Survey. For many Americans who work at home, the home office has evolved from a makeshift desk tucked away in the corner to a space of its own with lots of decorating possibilities. Creating a home office space can be a challenge—one that requires combining comfort with creativity and style. Some people opt to decorate their home office in the same style as the rest of their abode. Others choose a totally different approach. "The bottom line is your home office should reflect your personality," says Al White, Vice President of Design for Sure Fit, Inc., the leading manufacturer of slipcovers. "You should also have fun decorating. After all there are not any corporate rules to follow—since you are the boss." A Matter of Personal Taste Include some of your personality into the decorative furnishings and colors. You can frame a child’s artwork on your wall, add a loveseat or chair, decorate a file cabinet and install a bookcase. In the case of artwork, it can be personal photos that you took or a favorite poster. You can even place pictures of your loved ones on your desk. A small loveseat or chair is a great addition when you have meetings at home. It’s a bigger bonus if the loveseat or chair opens up to a bed. This way your home office can double as a guestroom. Cover the loveseat and chair with a slipcover from Sure Fit. Covering a sofa or chair with a Sure Fit slipcover takes less than 10 minutes and once you are finished, the piece will look brand new. "Strive for a look that is somewhere between residential and commercial by choosing patterns that are soothing and warm," says White. "If a person wants a casual look, I would suggest a solid denim slipcover for their loveseat or sofa. Our (faux) leather slipcover is ideal for a more t raditional office look. The (faux) leather slipcover looks and feels just like leather. Plus, it’s easier to clean than leather. You just wipe it clean with a damp cloth." "Our Hobnail Chenille pattern is a classic design with the plush touch of textured chenille. It comes in easy-to-decorate solid colors. I suggest decorating with solid colors if you are unsure of mixing and matching patterns. If you want to add some prints, choose a coordinated decorative pillow as an accent," says White. Sure Fit products are available at most specialty home stores. Slipcovers can be purchased through the Sure Fit catalogue by calling 1-800-305-5857 or log on to their web site at www.surefit.com. Placement of Furniture Counts If you are fortunate to have a window in your home office, place your desk facing the window. It’s nice to look out the window every once in a while. However, keep the face of your computer away from the window to avoid glare. You can position your computer monitor so that it is perpendicular to a window to help prevent glare. Cover windows with soft translucent window shades to protect your furniture and office equipment from the sun. These shades allow you to reduce glare, will protect wood furniture from the sun’s mighty rays, and give you a view of the outdoors. In addition, all battery-operated equipment should be kept out of direct sunlight; the heat can considerably shorten battery life. Artificial light is equally important. Good light fixtures are a must in a home office. Light should be soft not harsh. In addition to an overhead light in the middle of your ceiling—as in many homes, you should have a lamp on your desk for when you are working late into the night. Keep It Hidden Try to hide wires, cords and plugs from the computer, printer, lamp, fax machine, copy machine, and answering machine. Home centers sell devices to hide those unsightly cords. Make sure you have plenty of storage space. This is the key to having an efficient workspace that is not cluttered. Choose furnishings that can perform double duty jobs like an armoire that can store files and house the media equipment at the same time. Instead of boring metal file cabinets, you might want to use stackable wicker and wire file baskets. They are available at most home specialty stores. Consider purchasing a desk or work center that will hide your computer and printer behind closed cabinet doors. This works well if you have a guest staying in your home office. Comfort is Everything If you work at home, comfort is essential for doing a good job. Otherwise, you won’t give your all to your work. Make sure you have a comfortable office chair. Your computer keyboard should be at a comfortable height. If you are on the phone a lot, attach a headphone to your office phone to avoid a stiff neck. "Comfort and style makes a home office more appealing," says White. "And if, you are going to be spending a lot of time in your home office, it should be as welcoming as possible." Resources Sure Fit’s catalogue is filled with unique decorating ideas. For a catalogue, or for more information, call 1-800-305-5857 or log on to the Sure Fit web site at www.surefit.com. Also see: • Working out a telecommuting proposal • What flexible work option is best for you?