Perfect home offices

The home office set-up is popular nowadays and small-scale entrepreneurs are turning whatever space available in their homes into workstations.

This, in turn, poses numerous design challenges. How does one make the most of a small space – function and style-wise? How does one bridge the gap between commercial and residential design?

Hunter Douglas, the world’s leading name in window fashions, has gathered these helpful tips from the experts to solve these dilemmas:

Analyze your activities and the equipment you will require. For instance, you may have to make room for computers and other equipment that you will be using for your business. Faxes, TV, DVD and copiers are sometimes essential so you should find a way of incorporating them into your space. Likewise consider furniture that can close up and conceal the office when not in use and that blends with different styles of décor.

Determine your privacy needs. Consider having an entrance that doesn’t take the guest through private areas. Having window coverings may help shield whatever valuable equipment from view. Hunter Douglas has a variety of blinds and shades that may help you address this problem.

Choose flexible window treatments. Hunter Douglas’ Lightlines Aluminum Blinds and Country Woods Wood Blinds come with a de-Light feature, which helps eliminate cord holes that can cause distracting sunspots on computer screens. Hunter Douglas’ Duette Honeycomb Shades and Brilliance Pleated Shades are likewise good options as they provide maximum light control and energy efficiency. They can also be installed from the top down if necessary for privacy and light control with a view.

Assess your storage needs. How many files will you need and how many books, catalogs, discs will you have to store?

Consider ergonomics. For the comfort and health of your body, it is essential that the monitor be placed at, or slightly below, eye level. When hands are on the keyboard they should be in a straight line with the forearms level or tilted up slightly. The chair should also be able to be adjusted so your feet are flat on the floor. In addition, the chair should offer strong lumbar support.

Don’t forget the lighting. Windows are typically designed to maximize light and eyes naturally adjust to the brightest source. So, it is important to position the computer monitor so that it is perpendicular to a window to help prevent glare. You will also need general and task lighting if you work on a computer.

When it comes to aesthetics, bridging the gap between commercial and residential design is essential. Choose colors, patterns and textures that are soothing, rather than harsh and cold. Even window treatments can be soft and textured with a touch of color like Hunter Douglas’ Honeycomb Shades and pleated shades. Its Silhouette Window Shadings, meanwhile, offer a great glare reducer with its soft fabric vanes suspended between its sheer front and back facings. Likewise check out Hunter Douglas’ Vignette Modern Roman Shades. It has billowy layers of gently contoured fabric folds that roll up into a sleek headrail.

For more information about Hunter Douglas products, call (02) 4533155 0917-8239241 and 0922-8089275, or email at [email protected].