Need-to-know facts the editors of domino
magazine wish someone had given them. From
Domino: The Book of Decorating: A Room-by-Room Guide to Creating a
Home that Makes You Happy. 
Building a Home Office: Very Important Tips
CHAIRS
Form + Function If you use your home office full-time, find a chair that provides support and style. A modern ergonomic chair can be chic in a traditionally furnished space -- think antique desk paired with Aeron chair. The opposite can be true too.
Smooth sitting Casters on office chairs are great, but make sure they’re given an even plane to roll across.
LIGHTING
Form + Function No need to stress about matching eras with the rest of the room. A modern task lamp looks surprisingly good in a traditional setting. Decorative lamps may be lovely, but they generally don’t offer enough focused light to be the sole source for this utilitarian environment.
Bulbs Good lighting is key here. CFLs (compact fluorescent lights), though a great energy-saving alternative to incandescent, may not be intense enough for your work space. LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are a better fit for the office. These energy-efficient bulbs are extremely bright and long-lasting.
STORAGE/TECH SUPPORT
File Cabinets They don’t have to be ugly! In a vibrant color or metallic, cabinets can be a happy decor element. Lateral cabinets are generally more stable than vertical ones (check that the unit is counterweighted so it doesn’t topple when open and full), and they supply an extra work surface. If you prefer your files out of sight, hide them in a closet or under a skirted table.
Wire Management Until the day tech goes completely wireless, the best we can do is keep cords as orderly as possible. A cord organizer will help avoid the big tangle. Also, if you use a desktop computer, position the desk against the wall to hide wires. A laptop offers the freedom to float the desk elsewhere in the room.
ACCESSORIES.
Kitting It Out With Panache To put the finishing touches on your office, be thoughtful down to the last accessory. Beauty counts. Go for some form of unity by limiting your choices to a basic palette and/or style -- all pop color, say, or all earthy modern.
The Checklist A place for everything allows everything to return to its place. And having supplies you need at hand ensures no scrambling around searching for tape or a pen.
- storage baskets/boxes
- organizing trays
- wastepaper baskets
- pens, pencils, & cup
- clock
- stapler, tape dispenser, & scissors
- paper clips & holder
- mouse pad
- bulletin board & pushpin
Find more tips to improve your home with
Domino: The Book of Decorating.
About the Authors
Deborah Needleman, founding Editor in Chief; Sara Ruffin Costello, Creative Director; and Dara Caponigro, Style Director, are the creative forces behind domino, the award-winning style and decorating magazine that was published by Condé Nast. (Copyright © 2008 Condé Nast Publications, Inc.)
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