Problem: how do I make a corner of my living room into a home office/work space without making my living room feel cluttered?
Solution: There are many options for how to do a home office and the right option will depend a lot on you. To choose the best option for you, think about the below questions.
1) Where can I put it and how much space do I have?
This is the starting point. In answering this question don't limit yourself to thinking about the space as it is currently configured. Maybe the only space available with your current configuration is a small wall, but perhaps if you moved the piano to a different wall and angled the couch you would have a full corner or a longer wall. Also, think about whether there is anything currently in the room that would be better in a different room (does the laundry basket really belong in the living room?) or that you can get rid of all together (does your toddler still use that bouncy seat?).
2) What type of equipment do I need? Will I use a laptop or a desktop? Do I need a printer(s)? Scanner? Fax? Telephone?
This question is important for figuring out what kind of surface area you need. Obviously the less equipment you have, the easier it will be to fit it in the space and keep the workspace unobtrusive. Consider replacing your stand alone fax and printer with a combination fax machine/printer/scanner. But make sure your equipment will still meet your needs.
3) What do I need to store in my workspace? Papers? Gadgets? Paper clips? Stapler? Note pads? Pens? Highlighters? Photos? What else?
This question is harder because you have to think about all the little items, but it is worth the time to sit down and make a list. If you don't think about these things ahead of time, your workspace is likely to feel messy and spill into other spaces as you find yourself with lots of little things and nowhere to put them. Once you have your list you can plan the types of storage you need in your home office. Is one small file drawer enough or do you need two large lateral drawers? Do you have one electronic device to plug in or four?
4) What type of work will I do in my home office?
Think about how you want to use the space. Is it just for when you are working on the computer or will the space also be used for writing letters? Drafting? Doing homework? This question will also help to determine how much surface space you need. Also consider whether you will use the computer as your TV. If so, consider positioning the workspace in a location where you can see the monitor well from the couch or a comfy chair.
5) Am I likely to keep my workspace neat or am I more likely to have papers spilling over the surface?
If you are the messy type, consider getting an office armoire or a roll top desk that you can close to hide the mess (make sure first that it will hold everything you need). The best way to conquer mess is to have a place to put everything. If you don't like to put things away, think about storage options that don't feel like you are putting things away – like a tiered paper holder that sits on top of the working surface. If you tend to be a neat person and don't mind putting things away, consider whether the work area can fill a second purpose in the space. For example, can you use it to display photos and knick-knacks when you are not working on it? Or, if it is in the dining room, whether you could also use it as a buffet?
6) What is the style of my living room (or whatever other room you are putting your office in)?
While the prior questions addressed the functionality of the space, this last question goes more to the aesthetics. Ideally your workspace will fit with the style of the rest of the room. So if your living room is traditional, you should go with a traditional look for the workspace; if your living room is modern – choose something modern; if your space is eclectic – think about choosing something unusual for the working space.
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Once you've answered these questions, it is time to start searching for the right furniture to meet your needs. For each piece that you find, think about where in that piece everything is going to fit – is there enough file storage? Is there a space that you can put your binder clips in? Where is the second printer going to fit? Where space is tight and your list of equipment and things you need to store is long, I am a big fan of office sets that can be customized to your needs. More and more stores are starting to offer modular office sets for the home, here are links to some:
www.ballarddesigns.com/By-Room/Office-Designs-Collection/c/2410?path=1,2,1752,2410
www.hardenfurniture.com/Furniture/Home-Office/Configurable.aspx
www.popsfurniture.com/mfg-legar--home-office-furniture.html
www.potterybarnkids.com/room/rom/romstu/romstushd/
www.roomandboard.com/rnb/customize_it/linear_cabinet/configurator/configurator.ftl
Room and Board also offers the option of "pay-by-the-inch" tables where you can specify the exact length, width and height, as well as choosing among various surface material options:
You can also have something custom designed to exactly fit your needs and space.
Here is the two-piece office armoire I designed for my husband's home office (his workspace can get messy and he doesn't like to file things).
It contains: two pull out writing surfaces; a pull-out keyboard tray; two pullout printer spaces (a multipurpose printer, fax, copier, scanner and a high speed laser printer); two shallow drawers for pens, post-its, the stapler, rulers, binder clips, etc; two drawers for holding CDs; two long drawers for holding things like checkbooks and extra office supplies; ten 11" wide flat shelves for holding documents; a CPU cabinet with a pullout shelf for the CPU and shelf above it; two cabinets; and two file drawers; two wide shelves; and space for two monitors.
If you go with a custom design, make sure that your desk is the right height for you. Think about what chair you will use and what height is comfortable for your arms and hands as they engage in their regular workspace tasks such as typing and writing. Nothing is worse than spending a lot of time and money to create the perfect space and then realizing that it hurts your back to sit there. OSHA's information on ergonomics for the workspace can help you with this type of planning (see www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/checklist.html#purchase; www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/positions.html).
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