Home Office Design: A Step-by-Step Guide
When I was a kid, I had a pink bedroom. It was a soft, warm pink and at the time I loved it. But as I grew into a rebellious teenager, pink became far too feminine for my feminist, rocker-girl taste. In recent years, the warmth of pink has grown on me and I envision my future office with warm pink walls paired with white and gold accents and some interesting art. So for all those fabulous ladies out there that still have a little girl inside that dreams of a pink room, I thought I’d show you how to create a beautiful, stylish home office that is – you guessed it – pink.
Beyond Stereotypes: Unveiling the Power of Pink in Home Office Design
Before we get into it, I just wanted to share a little tidbit on the side that shows how our culture shapes our view of color and gender. At the beginning of the 20th century gender was not associated with any color – just think about all those oil paintings of men at one royal court or another decked out in pink. In 1927, Time magazine actually printed a recommendation for US retailers and advised to actually dress boys in pink and girls in blue. Why the distinction? So that parents – who had generally dressed all babies in the same garments – would have to buy a new set if they had a second child of a different gender than the first. Smart move if you want to sell more! Only in the middle of the last century did it become fixed in our minds (through advertising of course) that girls and boys had to be dressed in different colors. So all you pink lovers take heart – historically pink is definitely not considered to be a particularly feminine color.
Form Meets Function: Crafting a Home Office Space that Works
After filling your head with interesting historical info, let’s dive into the practical aspects of designing your home office space. Before we indulge in the aesthetics, it’s crucial to consider functionality. Where will your desk go? Are there enough electrical outlets or do you need more? How much storage space is necessary, and what items need storage? Don’t forget about the essentials, like staplers and easily accessible items. If you have the occasional in person meetings in your home office space, do you need extra seating? Perhaps you need a lounge chair for those moments when you want to take a break from sitting at your desk once in a while. Also, if you’re setting up a home office, think about whether the room might serve multiple purposes, such as a potential guest bedroom. Take a moment to jot down all your requirements. In terms of storage space, I would advise you to measure the exact amount you need to ensure that the storage furniture you buy is a perfect fit.
Layout Inspiration: Space Planning for Perfect Flow
With the practicalities in place, it’s time to think about the layout. Measure the space and create a layout that allows comfortable movement between furniture pieces and easy opening of cabinet doors. You can either do this manually or use a floor planning app to help visualize the arrangement.
The resulting floorpan will guide you while you are selecting furniture pieces. No need to get that beautiful desk that is too small to fit the two screens you need to actually get your work done!
Curating Elegance: Bringing Your Home Office Design Concept to Life
Armed with a well-planned layout, now comes the enjoyable part – gathering inspiration. Scour platforms like Pinterest to define the look you’re aiming for. Once you’ve amassed a reasonable number of images (between 10 and 20 is ideal to avoid overwhelm), start seeking out furniture pieces that cater to your functional needs while also evoking a sense of happiness. For the pink home office, I’ve developed the following design concept:
At the core of this design concept lies the shade “Pink Ground” by Farrow and Ball. It’s a dusty blush pink with a substantial yellow pigment base that creates a warm and soothing finish. Layered on this foundation are furniture pieces in cream, pink, and greige, adorned with gold brass accents in the form of lamps and hardware. To infuse further visual interest (and because I love art), I designed a gallery wall behind the desk. The textiles used in the room will echo the color scheme. And, of course, you always need some green foliage in the form of a large structural plant such as a fiddle leaf fig (I know it has been used so much in interior design and is such a diva to take care of but it is so pretty…).
Envisioning Your Space: The Impact of 3D Visualization
As part of my design process for full-service clients, I offer a 3D visualization and rendering of the space. This tool is particularly beneficial for those who struggle with visualizing three-dimensional spaces, providing a realistic preview of the final design and giving confidence in the chosen scheme.
So, what do you think? Could you see yourself working in a pink office? If you’re curious about how to design your very own home office in seven easy steps, click here. And if you need professional assistance to finally get away from working at your dining room table and create an inspiring, personalized home office space, you can find out more about my E-Design Service here. Let me know what you think about this pink home office in the comments – I would love to hear your thoughts!
