Those of you who follow my blog will already know that I’m moving into my sweet little new apartment next week. And because I work from home, my home office is the absolute number one priority (well, after my bed)!

This got me thinking recently not only about what I want my next office to look like, but also about what are the important features of a home office.

I came to the conclusion that the same guidelines apply in a home office, no matter how big or how small, whether its shared or not shared, whether its used eight hours a day or one hour a month.

Of course we would all love a spacious office reminiscent of the great big library rooms of yesteryear used primarily for celebratory drinks and quiet reading time (à la Downton Abbey or Mad Men).

But the reality of home offices these days is that they’re often cramped or even shared with other rooms (whether it be the kitchen or the bedroom) and the risk of paper or gadget overflow has become scary!

So rather than letting it become another furniture and gadget graveyard, let’s look at a few ways to efficiently organize your home office for style, comfort and practicality.

1. Edit, edit, edit! I think it’s safe to say that unless you are a hundred years old, your home office probably includes some kind of electronic equipment: a computer, maybe a printer, scanner, tablet, speakers, and the list goes on and on, sometimes to scary lengths!

My rule is: get rid of anything you haven’t used in over six months. Additionally, hide the items that are used occasionally and, as much as possible, hide the spaghetti of chords hanging behind your desk!

2. Watch the view: No one likes to stare at a blank wall. I personally love my desk to face the entrance of the room, the window, or better, both. If none of these options are possible in your layout, decorate the wall behind your computer with frames, shelves or an inspiring pin board.

3. Desire to inspire: Speaking of pin boards, every office should have one. Whether you work in a creative industry or not, a pin board is always a great idea to find inspiration, organise your thoughts or leave important reminders. I personally love this DIY linen pin board with nail head trim.

4. I’ve got your back: Your office chair doesn’t need to look like it’s straight out of a Star Trek episode, but ergonomics are important for productivity and posture. So it’s a good idea to invest in a stylish computer chair that will keep your spine happy hours on end. If the space allows, a guest chair across your desk and a lounge chair for kicking your feet up are also great additions to a home office.

5. Trays and things: You should see my desk at the end of a 10 hour day. It looks like a war zone. Post-its, paperwork of all sorts, empty glasses, open books, electronics plugged in… I’ll spare you the photo. Because of this, it’s extremely important to determine what usually ends up on your desk after a day’s work, and  make sure each item has its place. It makes cleaning up at the end of the day that much easier.

For example, do you always end up with a stack of paperwork? Then a “to-file” tray may be a good idea – but do file your stuff the next day! If you always have a glass or water or cup of tea while working, think about a set of coasters. Pens and office supplies can go in pretty trays. And if you find a nice silver toast rack (often found in antique shops and flea markets), it makes for great mail sorter (a great tip from Arianna Belle)!

Can you see yourself applying these guidelines in your home office? Do you have other valuable guidelines to share?

Gabrielle | Savvy Home

1. Laura Ponte’s Home via Nuevo Estilo | 2. Amanda Nisbet’s Apartment via Lonny | 3. Jan Showers Interior Design | 4. Jenna Alcala Photo via Matchbook Mag | 5. Ellie Somerville’s Apartment via Lonny  | 6. Nuevo Estilo | 7. Lulu Powers via Lonny | 8. Lizzie Baily via Lonny | 9. Jo Berryman of Matrushka Design | 10. Nate Berkus and Anne Coyle via Elle Decor | 11. Laurann Claridge by Patrick Cline via Lonny | 12.  Celerie Kemble | 13. Victoria Thompson by Patrick Cline via Lonny

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