An empty space might seem overwhelming or perhaps exciting! Before you dive into furnishing your area, let me provide you with essential pointers for function, fashion, and freedom.

Starting with the Basics

Stick with something simple. Pick your main pieces of furniture carefully as those will be the main focus of your room’s style. 

Pick a light or dark palette when choosing your furniture, but don’t make everything the same color or the room will look very bland. Vivid colors are tiresome to look at after a while, so neutral colors are the best (eg. white, stone, or wood color). 

Here are examples of a light or dark color palette below:

Classic-looking pieces give you the flexibility to switch things up if you change your mind. You can always dress up the look of your pieces with accessories. Green plants go with any room. Because these are typically for decoration only, make sure they don’t get in the way of your usable space.

Location

Check where your electrical outlets are. Sometimes you’ll need to accommodate their locations and place your furniture closer to them. You can always get extension cords to increase the distance. If you end up with a forest of wires, you can keep them hidden with a cable storage box.

What do you want to see when you first walk into the room? Evaluate what items you use the most and keep those within reach to save time.

Would you prefer to be facing the entrance or the window? If you work with a computer, try to keep the screen side facing away from the window so you don’t get a glare from the light coming in.

Organizing

For small items such as pens or papers, use storage bins or organizing tools to keep them organized and looking neat. 

Avoid using something with many parts or colors as that will contribute to visual clutter. 

Clear or mesh storage containers are practical but make it difficult to hide messes – just keep this in mind when deciding on what storage containers to buy. One option is to store items in clear containers on a shelf and hide them with a curtain.

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Make It Your Own

Ultimately, focus on creating a space that will help you to stay inspired and motivated to work. If you have a favorite quote or Bible verse, display it on the wall. If you really love plants, go ahead and add more. It’s your space and you are free to adjust to your personal preferences.