If you’ve ever tried the “work from home” approach, you know how easy it can be to become distracted by a phone call, or the kids, or that pile of laundry that’s staring you right in the face. While good design can’t stop the phone from ringing or the kids from calling out your name, it can help cut down on distractions.

Since productivity requires efficiency and organization, home offices should be well-lit, stocked with storage, organized, quiet and comfortable. Yet since your home office is in your home, you don’t want it to have a sterile, overly-corporate feel. The key is striking a balance between “homey” and “professional.”

Dedicating one wall to shelves and storage will free up the rest of the room for furniture. It will also (hopefully!) prevent piles of papers and folders from being started haphazardly around the space – a place for everything and everything in its place!

Curtains can help soften the space and hide the storage shelves.

Color plays an important role in how comfortable you feel in your home office space. Stay away from bold, intense paint colors like bright oranges or reds. Instead, opt for calming colors which can have a soothing effect on your mind and can help aid in concentration. Pat Verlodt, President of Color Services & Associates, Inc., describes some of the most popular calming colors in this blog post.

Don’t forget to have a little fun with your home office. Unlike a corporate office, there are no restrictions on the type of artwork you can hang, the type of furniture you can have or the type of accessories you use to dress up the space!