1 of 8

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

hold considerably more. A big clay dish of cactus is the only plant, also atop one bookcase.

The huge drawback is that, with such small space, I accumulate clutter. I've added a huge stack of rolling plastic bins with drawers. I don't like the clear, blah colors, but the bins are highly functional. I'm keeping an eye out for something wooden that would fit in the same narrow space.

The plastic milk crates that have wandered in to give still more storage in another small area must be replaced, too. And I simply need to invest in a short end table to replace the wooden dining room chair I now use for reference books I'm currently using at one side of my main desk. This can be seen from the living room so I'm being picky. I want a block type with closed shelving, but the back must be as finished as the front. I've about decided I might have to finish that side myself.

Actually, I could move everything back upstairs at this point...and I may if a granddaughter decides to go to college here and needs the room full time. I'd love to have her, but in some ways I'm hoping she'll chose a larger college in a nearby town. Now that I'm downstairs, I like it. I have a better window view. I don't need as much forced lighting. I can hear the doorbell ring, and it's more convenient for bathrooms and blending back into general living.

Other than needing more decorative storage devices and wanting to replace my old sofa bed coverings, I love this office...a lot more than I did the fully functional, strictly business one where I worked in for years. Even if I do have to move back to it, I'm going to decorate it more like a home.

My main advice for a home office is to do just that. It's okay to have it look like a home. Use what you already have that you like and weave your business accessories among the decorations.

One word of caution. I stopped claiming home office on my taxes a few years ago because I may want to move, and I don't want to recapitalize. It takes several years for this to be allowed. If you are claiming home office, move out the sofa bed. The home decorations can stay, but anything that indicates actual living space can be audited and penalized.

Learn more about this author, Margaret Shauers.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Decorating ideas for your home office?
We want to hear your view. Write now!