I want to turn the extra bedroom in my home into my office, which will also be used as an occasional guest bedroom. How can I make this space as efficient for work as possible?
The first decision to make is selecting the right desk for the job at hand, explains Esperanza Massana, a sales associate with Pottery Barn in Little Rock who recently led a class in the store on home organization.
“You should pick a desk for how you’re going to work there,” says Massana, adding that there are modular styles, which can be customized to your specific needs.
Some of the questions to ask yourself: Will you have a computer monitor on it, a laptop, or no computer at all? Will you need space for a printer? Since this room will do double-duty as a guest room, would you prefer a desk that looks more like and can also be used as a vanity?
When it comes to accessories like lamps, if the room will serve as an office and a bedroom, a lamp with a dimmer switch will offer the appropriate working light as well as softer accent light. And lazy Susans for storage offer easy access while taking up the least amount of space.
When it comes to controlling clutter, less is better.
“Clear out the clutter,” Massana says. “And if you know you’re clutter-prone, then create a system in which to store and contain things.”
Lindsey Brackett, also a sales associate with Pottery Barn, suggests a filing system with folders and removable sub-compartment trays to break the area of a desk drawer into smaller spaces.
“Think about which things are used and when. Store nonwork items that aren’t used all the time away.”
Walls have storage potential, Brackett adds. Wall shelves offer more storage room, and wicker baskets hung from hooks under the shelf increase storage space even more.
“Baskets are the easiest way to declutter and store,” Massana says. “They can be slid under consoles and some have rollers on them. In addition to being functional, they’re also decorative.”
And don’t forget about filing cabinets.
“When I think of filing cabinets, I think of the old metal ones in an office,” Massana says. “But there are many different options out there now.
“Whatever options you choose, make it fun,” she adds. “It’s your work space and it should reflect your personality.”Do you have a decorating or remodeling question? We’ll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Linda S. Haymes, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or e-mail:
HomeStyle, Pages 35 on 03/09/2013