According to a recent Forbes article, one in five Americans currently work from home. While this setup can save time and money, it also poses some unique challenges. For example, focusing on office tasks when the dishwasher needs to be unloaded or the kids are fighting in the next room can be difficult, and focusing on play when you know there’s a pile of work waiting for you just down the hall can be equally challenging.
One way to make this delineation clear is to shoot for a home office that feels more “office” and less “home” – a balance best achieved through design and home décor. Maybe you concentrate better in a minimalist room full of clean lines. Or, perhaps you’re most inspired when the walls are covered with funky prints and bright colors. Whatever your preference, the right curtains and window treatments can help you produce your best work yet. Read on to find out how:
The Sound and the Fury
In a traditional office setting, you’re surrounded by other people doing similar work. In a home office, you’re surrounded by the television in the den, the garbage man on the street, the neighbor’s dogs barking at in their backyard… you get the idea. One way to block out unwelcome noise is with a pair of sturdy, high-end earplugs. The other is with the right window treatments. A set of heavy drapes made of velvet or wool should to cut down on pesky noise pollution.
Let There Be Light (But Not Too Much)
In a home office, light can be an issue. Too dark, and you might fall asleep at your desk. Too bright, and the glare on your computer screen will make it impossible to see what you’re doing. Your best bet is a window treatment that allows you to incrementally filter light over the course of the day. Strickland’s carries many products that provide this feature, including Luminette® Privacy Sheers, Duette® honeycomb shades, and Hunter Douglas Designer Roller Shades.
Cramped Quarters
The ideal home office is large and airy, with plenty of room for shelves, books, and a beautiful, yet functional desk. The actual home office, on the other hand, tends to be anything but. Sometimes we get a desk in the corner of the living room. Sometimes we share our workspace with a fold-out guest bed and a stackable washer and dryer. The right curtains can make a tiny room feel larger, which is important when you’re wrestling with big ideas. Choose airy curtains made of lightweight cotton, in colors that promote qualities important to a home office. Green for creativity, yellow for energy, and blue for quiet contemplation are great places to start.
In many ways “home office” is an oxymoron and after a while, it can start to feel like one, too. But with the right window treatments, you can begin a transformation that will help you strike that elusive balance. Visit Strickland’s Home today, and let’s get to work!