10 Tips to Refresh a Home Office

The home office has become a more critical space in the home recently, and there is no reason not to make it a beautifully-designed space where you want to spend time. A home office should be a space that is both inviting and functional. Having a plan, picking the right lighting and incorporating natural elements are all important tips to remember.

The first step in updating your office space starts with assessing your needs for the room. Do you like a clean minimalist feel or does being surrounded by a mood board full of color inspire you? Is this just a space for you or does the room need to have dual functions? Now that you have thought through your office needs, it's time to make a plan of action. Grab a piece of paper or your computer and quickly plan out the space you will need for your office desk or a meeting table. Set aside an area of the room for all the functions you will need, additional seating for office mates, meetings or even a space for children.

It's amazing how many unnecessary things you can stockpile without even realizing it. The next tip to creating a newly refreshed office is decluttering your space and sorting your items into three piles: toss, keep and donate.

No space has the perfect lighting, so it's helpful to decide what your needs are and plan accordingly. If you need natural light to take photographs or videos, make sure you set up an area near a big window to do that. Bringing in desk lamps, floor lamps and even adding chandeliers is key to making sure you are using your workspace effectively, with the right, design-savvy lighting.

Don't be afraid to think outside the box with your office. Whether your office space is small, medium or large, be sure to move the furniture around to best maximize your room. Using closets or small nooks for a desk area is a great space-saving idea. Using thrifted or new lockers can be another way to store odds and ends in a stylish and effective way.

Using artwork to help create an inspiring work area is a great way to showcase colors, patterns and imagery that keep you working at your best. Often a gallery wall is the perfect solution to bring numerous art elements together. Mixing thrifted and DIY art, photographs and prints leads to a beautiful eclectic collection. Try a modern take on a botanical print, an abstracted still life or the clever "wink" artwork shown here.

It's time to decide if you have all the main pieces for a successful office. Is your desk large enough for your needs? Is your chair beautiful but also supportive? Do you need a cozy rug underfoot for the cooler months? Decide what items are important and make your shopping list.

Next up is setting up systems to keep your new office organized not only right now, but in the future when you get busy and need a landing place for various items. Having a spare trunk or a few empty baskets and bins on hand for incoming paperwork, storing books, yarn or items to be filed away later is a great trick for keeping your office tidy, organized and looking good for years to come.

When in doubt, you can always add a plant. Bringing in natural elements to your office space immediately helps create a sense of layered warmth.

Arrange a vining Pothos plant on a bookcase, or bring in a Snake Plant or ZZ to a shady corner to add interest. Not only will your room have more warmth and energy, but you'll get the benefits of fresh oxygen while you work!