Working from home is still new to a lot of people. And many homeowners have had to get creative when establishing a home office. That often means converting a small space — a spare bedroom, a window nook, a former closet — into a dedicated work area. With the right design approach, compact spaces can work hard and look great.

Here are somethings to keep in mind, when creating a small but stylish and functional home office.

Floating Desk

There are many upsides to working from home. But it’s important to carve out space that separates the job from personal life. That will help you get focused on the work at the start of the day and allow you to step away at the end.

When it comes to rooms with less square footage, maximizing floor space is at the top of the priority list.

Wall-mounted anything frees up a huge amount of physical and visual space, so consider a wall-mounted desk, as well as wall-mounted lighting. This is especially helpful in a super narrow room where a traditional desk might not fit comfortably.

The overall look of a workspace should be clean and fuss-free. This limits distractions so you can focus. The floating look certainly fits the bill when it comes to creating a sleek aesthetic.

The ability to customize the height of a floating work surface is also one of the strong points of going this route. If you prefer your work surface to be taller or lower than standard, 30 inches, depending on your height or level you like to work at, then going this direction makes sense. It also allows you to make adequate room for your chair, file cabinets or printing equipment.

Another bonus is that cleaning below a floating surface is easier than going under and around a standalone piece.

But there are a couple of downsides to consider. A floating desk is difficult to relocate if you want to change its location or if you move homes. You can’t exactly pick it up or scoot it to another area. Plus, a floating desk is usually smaller than a traditional desk, especially in depth. They work great for a laptop or other compact tasks. If your work requires you to spread out a bit, then you might want to consider another option.

Great Artwork

Research has shown that engaging in cultural activities, including viewing artwork, correlates with better health, more satisfaction with one’s life and lower rates of anxiety and depression.

That’s why filling your home with art pieces that you feel a deep connection with is especially important in a home office.

The reality is, work can sometimes make us stressed and anxious, and if we can take even a few moments out of our day to pause and engage with something that brings us joy, we should do it.

Of course, viewing nature has a strong effect as well. So if you have a great view from your home office, focus on that and use art as a secondary focal point, such as behind your chair or on an opposite wall.

If your desk faces a blank wall, art becomes even more important. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing art, except maybe to listen to your heart. Try not to let someone else tell you what to like. 

And despite what you may have been told, art doesn’t have to match the style of your office. This is one area where you can always get a bit eclectic.

Wall-Mounted Lighting

Good interior lighting plans are all about combining the right lighting in the right places. When we’re limited on floor space, we can naturally look to ceilings and walls for opportunities to shine light down.

Wall sconces can be used to create excellent task lighting in an office setting. Plus, it gives you an opportunity to add some visual adornment that ups the style in the room. You can hardwire sconces — usually with the help of an electrician — behind a wall to eliminate seeing the cord, helping with a sleek aesthetic. Or you can easily install plug-in sconces yourself.

There are also stylish clip-on options, that give you the same look and feel without the need for drilling.

To get the most out of your wall lights, placement is key. A good starting guideline is to hang them at approximately eye level, about 5½ to 6 feet, although the height of your ceilings and the size of the fixture will come into play.

A critical point to remember is that whatever height you hang your wall light, you shouldn’t come eye to eye with an exposed bulb, unless the bulb is decorative and meant to be viewed directly. 

Investment Pieces

Your workplace greatly affects your psychological and physical health, so it’s important to make sure your space reinforces that. Therefore, the furniture pieces should be the highest possible quality within your budget. This is not an area where you want to skimp.

Invest in a good chair, choose a soothing color palette and don’t forget to add some style with art and accessories. When you feel good in your environment and know that you’ve invested in it, your motivation and productivity will benefit.

These days there are countless materials available for kitchen countertops. 

Instead of giving you the pros and cons of each material, lets break down six popular color styles so you can achieve the look you want with the material that suits your needs.

Flecked or Softly Veined White

One of the most common and coveted countertop finishes is a stone or manufactured slab material, such as quartz, in a white or off-white shade with a light multitonal fleck or grain to give it subtle natural richness.

This snowy, sparkling look works well in many situations since it is very neutral but also contemporary and fresh. The pale tone brings a sense of cleanness and lightness to the space with subtle sophistication.

In more traditional kitchens, this is usually a better choice than a true minimalist white countertop, which can be too severe and fight with the elegance of other elements such as knotty woods or Shaker cabinets.

Softly flecked or grainy whites also work well paired with brass accents. Again, the subtle richness holds its own without fighting for attention and keeps the countertop from feeling too austere — great for a dining island where you want people to actually feel comfortable dining.

Flecked or Softly Veined White Countertops Are Good If:

◦  You have a traditional or transitional interior.

◦  You want the space to look big and light without feeling clinical.

◦  You want white countertops but don’t want every crumb and speck of dust to show.

Pure White

Pure white countertops, generally only available in manufactured materials such as Corian or Caesarstone, bring a contemporary, minimalist freshness that no natural stone can match. Luckily, these materials resist stains well, so they can stay a crisp white for years with a little care.

This stark look works well in contemporary spaces. In a modern space it feels appropriately crisp. It’s especially effective in small spaces, such as compact condo kitchens, paired with minimalist white cabinets to give the illusion of a bigger space.

Spaces that already have a great deal of bold character in the other finishes, such as grainy wood cabinets, can benefit from a super simple counter as a visual break.

This is especially true for modern flat-front cabinets in a wood finish with a yellow-orange undertone. A pure white counter will keep the look feeling fresh and contemporary instead of retro.

Lastly, white and blue is a classic nautical combination, so while off-white would also work, a pure white counter looks beautiful paired with blue-painted cabinetry. Despite both being chilly colors, the two together feel welcoming and always stylish.

Pure White Countertops Are Good For If:

◦  You love crisp, modern style.

◦  You have a small space that you want to look as big as possible.

◦  You want to break up modern wood cabinets or other bold finishes.

◦  You love a nautical white-and-blue scheme.

Wood

Warm wood, with its inviting air and natural richness, is a great choice for infusing a cool, breezy, kitchen. Crisp white kitchens feel a little more “homey” and a little less austere with a wood countertop. It makes a popular choice for transitional kitchens that balance traditional and contemporary elements, especially since classic wood fits into both categories.

Wood counters, work well in spaces that already feature wood cabinets — if you’re a true wood lover and don’t mind it dominating the decor.

Wood in general is an excellent material to use for an accent counter, often on an island or a small “chopping zone” in butcher block, contrasting with nearby stone or solid-surface counters in a pleasing way.

Lighter woods tend to have more of a casual or rustic feel compared with darker-stained options. Light-stained or unstained woods can have a cottage-inspired feel or a Scandinavian vibe depending on whether you pair them with traditional or modern accouterments. In either case, a traditional runner rug makes an excellent complement.

Darker woods come off a little more formal and polished than lighter tones. They lend a certain gravity to a space, which can work well in areas that are already bright and breezy with lots of windows.

When mixing wood counters with other wood finishes, it’s often best to stick to either warm or cool tones across the board. Red-brown woods are more traditional, while ashy gray tones have been a popular modern trend in recent years. Whichever tones you prefer, they will be less likely to clash if you stick to one family or the other.

Wood Countertops Are Good If:

◦  You want an accent countertop to contrast with other surfaces.

◦  Your white cabinets need a little warming up.

◦  You want your space to feel more approachable and intimate.

◦  You enjoy a dash of rustic charm.

◦  You can’t get enough wood.

Dark or Black

Dark counters, in tones such as black or charcoal, can appear very gothic in some situations and perfectly harmonious in others. If you have dark cabinetry, dark floors or other rich and weighty finishes, a dark countertop will fit right in. 

If you’re going for a dark-on-dark palette, it helps to have lots of light sources, natural or added. This will keep the space feeling cozy and sophisticated instead of cave-like.

Because white can sometimes absorb and dampen nearby colors, a rich, dark countertop can actually be the better choice to bring out subtle colors in painted cabinets, such as the powder blue door units in this kitchen.

Choosing a dark gray rather than pure black will soften the look, so it’s usually preferable to stop at charcoal in most situations.

A situation where dark countertops are nearly a must. When you’re using a tinted mirror backsplash to subtly open up the space visually, a dark counter will echo the deep surface for a perfect complement.

Lastly, sometimes you just want that classic black-and-white look. If you have a kitchen with crisp white cabinets and little actual color, or you have just a few small areas of counter, a dark or black stone brings some instant drama.

It’s never wise to have just one large black element in your design, as it may stand out like a sore thumb, so you’ll want to introduce other sprinklings of black such as simple black cabinet knobs and pulls.

Dark or Black Countertops Are Good If:

◦  You have dark cabinets and want the counters to blend in with them.

◦  You have colorful, fun cabinets, and you want the hue to really shine.

◦  You have a smoky mirrored backsplash.

◦  You want to connect to other black elements in the space.

◦  You’re aiming to achieve a classic black-and-white scheme.

Midtone or Gray

Soft gray countertops and other midtone shades, such as beiges or rich creams, are the most neutral counter options. Creamy off-white cabinets and golden yellow undertones add to a harmonious, peaceful look, perfect for friendly family breakfasts.

Softly flecked gray stone has a look similar to concrete, and it works perfectly in contemporary spaces. It has the advantage of hiding the occasional spot while still looking clean and tidy and not too dark or busy. It’s great if you don’t always have a perfectly organized space but still want a put-together look.

Because gray is the most neutral color around, it makes another excellent choice to pair with colorful cabinets, especially in a space with different cabinet finishes, as it can help tie light and dark cabinets together.

If you have a black-and-white scheme, or espresso woods with white walls, and you want to soften the whole look a little, a midtone counter will bridge the very dark and very light elements so they meet in the middle.

Gray is also a beautiful tone to pair with warm metallic accents. If you love a brassy faucet or sink, a gray counter will bring out those warm tones so they really shine.

Midtone or gray countertops are good for you if:

◦  You want a soft, friendly vibe with muted tones harmonizing.

◦  You have colorful cabinetry or multiple tones of cabinets mixed together.

◦  You have a black-and-white scheme that could use a little softening.

◦  You love warm metallic accents and want to show them off.

Dramatic

Boldly veined stone countertops can either make you stop and gaze in admiration or have the opposite effect and overwhelm your eyes.

In general, the bolder the veining on your counters, the less drama you’ll want to add elsewhere. The size of your space will be a factor in determining just how dramatic a bold stone looks once it’s installed.

This isn’t to say you can’t use a bold stone in a compact kitchen, just that it will feel even more dramatic in scale, meaning you probably will want to keep the other finishes very sedate. 

A dark, richly veined stone can actually feel less dramatic when paired with dark cabinets. Whether you use espresso wood or a modern painted gray, coordinating a base tone in the stone with one of a similar darkness or lightness in the cabinets will help the two connect.

Ultimately, the only way to tell how a richly veined stone will look with your other elements is to bring home the largest sample you can or take samples of your other elements to the dealer to see what tones are strongest in the stone.

Dramatic countertops are good for you if:

◦  You have a large kitchen.

◦  You want the counters to be the primary statement.

◦  You have dark cabinets to offset a dark, moody stone.

◦  You can’t get enough visual drama.

One of life’s pleasures is curling up and relaxing on a cozy sofa. But buying a sofa that will stand the test of time requires careful consideration. Your sofa will be one of the most-used pieces of furniture in your home. A high level of craftsmanship that delivers comfort and support is paramount. But there are other considerations as well: style, shape, upholstery and durability.

This sofa buying guide lists the most essential points to consider, so that when you finally make your purchase, and sink into your new sofa at home, it will not only provide an exceptionally comfortable experience but also will last for years to come.

Room Shape and Size

Measure the area you’ve designated for your new sofa, taking into account the size and shape of the room. If you have a narrow or small living room, for example, you don’t want to put in a huge sofa that leaves no room for anything else.

Once you’ve settled on a sofa that you think will fill the space, note the sofa’s measurements and mark them on the floor with string. This way you can be sure the sofa will fit the space and that there will be room to walk around or past it.

Tip: 

Equally important is how you plan to get your sofa into the room. If you have narrow doorways, or live in an apartment accessed via an elevator or stairs, consider whether you will be able to easily maneuver the sofa into your home.

Frame Material and Construction

A sturdy frame usually contributes to a long-lasting sofa. A wooden frame is best, especially if it is a quality wood that has been kiln-dried. Be wary of cheap pine or green wood, which can warp over time.

The frame should be secured together by dowels or nails; avoid those that are held together by staples and glue. The legs should be either part of the frame or solidly attached. Metal frames may be necessary when the seat of the sofa has a large span, but they can make the sofa heavy and hard to move.

Suspension

Longer-lasting sofas generally have springs, and there are many types. The highest quality is offered by eight-way hand-tied springs, but pocket coil springs — similar to those in a mattress — and serpentine-style springs offer a high level of support at a lower cost.

There are other methods of support, such as webbing. Although this is a cheaper method of suspension, webbing can offer good support if used in conjunction with springs in the areas that will bear the most weight: the seats.

Cushion Fillings

The most expensive fillings for back and seat cushions are feather and down, but cushions that are 100 percent down require lots of fluffing and patting to hold their shape. Down-only cushions are better suited as back cushions.

Seat cushions should be firm and regain their shape after you apply pressure to them unless they are filled with down or feather. Foam cushions are the most inexpensive, but they can deflate quickly if they are low density. A great choice for the seats and back rests are cushions of high-density, resilient foam wrapped with either down or even polyester.

Back Cushion Arrangement

Typically there are three cushion arrangements offered for the backs of sofas.

   * Fixed-back

   * Cushion-back: the most common style, which often has T-shaped back cushion that           curve to fit around arms

   * Scatter-back: a loose arrangement of cushions that hide a padded back frame

Style

Choose a sofa style that works with the decor of your room. A low-profile sofa will suit a modern decor, and a high-back sofa will work better in a more traditional home.

Sectional

If you have a family — or have guests often — consider two sofas that fit together in an L-shape or U-shape so everyone can sit together. These styles, also known as sectional sofas, should be upholstered in a durable fabric — especially if you also have pets.

Good choices are leather, strong synthetic microfiber and chenille. Reclining sectionals are great lounging options and are particularly ideal for home theaters.

Tufted

The tufted sofa, also known as a button-back when the center of each tuft sports a button, features a classic cushioning treatment that comes in a variety of styles.

Tufted sofas rarely go out of fashion and will look great in any home decor scheme if in a plain fabric. They are usually a little more expensive owing to the amount of work that goes into the tufting.

Tip: 

Think twice about choosing a tufted style when you have young children, because the tufts collect crumbs.

Modular

Modular sofas come in a range of sizes and have many benefits. Because they combine various pieces in one unit, they are relatively compact, maximizing the space in a room. They also offer more space for sitting, especially if a chaise or fixed ottoman is attached.

Due to their flexibility and versatility, modulars can be set up in different configurations, and sometimes you can create your own combinations. These are sofas well worth considering.

Low-profile

Sofas that encourage prolonged lounging and relaxing often feature plenty of plush pillows and cushions, a wide frame and ample cushioning on broad arms. Additionally, these kinds of sofas often come in various pieces or modular forms, which means the sofa can be transported to other homes or living spaces as separate pieces and assembled in whatever combination works.

Arm Shape

Consider the style of arms you like and whether they are comfortable enough for resting your arm on, snoozing against or even perching on from time to time.

Some people like square arms, others prefer rounded ones. Wide arms suit more contemporary styles, especially sofas with a low profile, but they can take up a significant amount of room. A high-backed sofa often has a narrow arm, and if the sofa is a classic style, it may have a curvy scroll or a flare.

Upholstery Type

If you want to keep your sofa for decades, choosing the right upholstery is as important as making sure the construction standards are high.

Fabric

Hard-wearing cotton and linen are winners. But when mixed with a cheap synthetic, they can often pill after a year of wear. High-quality synthetic microfiber fabrics can mimic the weave and handle of most natural fabrics and are stain-resistant, making these textiles excellent choices. They are also less likely to fade.

Leather

Both luxurious and practical, genuine leather sofas can complement any home decor. If combined with quality construction, they offer years of comfort and style. There are also new vegan leather options as well.

Tip: 

Leather is a durable material and gets better with time, but it needs some care. Treat it with a high-quality conditioner once or twice a year.

Color and Pattern

If you’ve found your dream sofa but are unsure what color is going to work with your decor, or you haven’t decided on a look yet, stick with a neutral. It‘s more likely to work with colors or patterns you introduce at a later date.

If your decor plan has a predominantly warm palette, choose a beige, mushroom or cream sofa. A gray, charcoal and even white sofa will work best with a cool color palette. Punchy color should come from accessory pillows or throw rugs as these can easily be replaced when the next color trend hits.

Tip: 

If you feel that a colorful sofa will work in your home, choose one in a color that will be easier to style as trends change over time.

Choose fabrics with patterns in the weave as these tend to wear better over time. Ask the store you are buying your sofa from for a swatch to take home. See how the fabric looks in both natural daylight and under artificial light at night. If you are looking to buy a sofa you plan to have forever, try to avoid purchasing one that features trendy weaves or big patterns, lest it is no longer trendy.

Tip: 

A herringbone or flecked tweed incorporated into the design of a weave produces a fabric that wears well and hides any fading or scuff marks.

Whether it’s cozy movie nights or cocktail parties, the living room is often the hub of the action when it comes to gathering with friends and loved ones. And because it’s such a well-used space, it also tends to accumulate its fair share of clutter. Here are some ways to clear the clutter and create a beautiful, comfortable living room space.

What You Really Want From This Space

Beginning your space-clearing process with a positive mindset will help make your decisions about what to keep and what to let go of easier. Which activities do you imagine doing here? How do you want to feel when you enter the room? Come up with a list of three to five words that encompass the mood, look and feel you want to create.

Take Action: 

With your vision for the space firmly in mind, walk through your living room and begin removing items that do not mesh with that vision.

◦  What colors fill you with joy?

◦  What sort of artwork, textures and shapes do you love?

◦  What is taking up space that you don’t you really love or need?

Paring back is an ongoing process, and you may need to repeat this step several times before you reach a balance that feels good to you.

Calm The Visual Noise

Papers, magazines, movies, games and electronics can be helpful to have on hand in the living room, but that doesn’t mean you want to look at them all the time. By hiding away most of these items, you can create a more peaceful feeling in the space.

Take Action: 

Cabinets are ideal for stashing media and electronics out of sight. Make room in your cabinets and shelving by sorting through your media, books and papers and choosing to keep only the items you truly love and use.

If you don’t have cabinetry in your living room, you can still hide those DVDs and Blu-ray discs inside attractive bins or baskets on shelving, or tucked beneath a coffee or side table. For the most streamlined look, choose containers that are all the same and that either fill the space completely or come with lids to hide the contents.

Design For Real Life

If you have young kids at home, is your living room an easy place to hang out as a family — or do you find yourself constantly watching out for easily tipped furniture and breakable decor? Design the room for your current life phase; your household will be the happier for it.

Take Action: 

Realistically consider your needs right now and whether your space is meeting those needs.

◦  If you have young children or pets, consider washable slipcovers and easy-care

    fabrics on upholstered pieces.

◦  If you use your living room more for movies and lounging, choose a deep, cushy

    sofa. If you use it more for chatting and parties, upright chairs and sofas will be

    more comfortable.

◦  If you have a baby or young child, furniture with soft edges and unbreakable

    materials — an acrylic versus glass coffee table, for example — may not be

    necessary but it can provide some parental peace of mind.

◦  If you’re an empty-nester but your living room is still designed for a young

    family, consider how you can reclaim the space and put your own stamp on it.

Take Action: 

Come up with a list of things you love — passions, interests, activities, hobbies — that you’d like to incorporate into your life more.

◦  For book lovers, edit your book collection, letting go of those you didn’t love and

    choosing some favorites to spotlight on a shelf.

◦  For crafters, select a bowl or basket where you can keep your current project

    close at hand.

◦  For parents, consider which screen-free activities you’d like to encourage in

    this room and gather the necessary items in an appealing arrangement.

◦  For entertainers, clear space on the coffee table for sharing small plates of

    food, or organize a drink cart/bar.

Cultivate Your Passions

Whether you’re a big reader, an art lover, a wine connoisseur or a board game aficionado, let your passions take center stage. Curate your book collection and pull up your coziest chair to create a reading nook beside the fire, frame a new art print or dust off a portrait from the attic. When you shine a light on the things that matter to you, you allow your living space to nourish and support you.

Bring In Nature

Living plants clean the air, soften hard edges and bring a welcome touch to any room. Large potted plants can transform the look and feel of a room with their lush texture and vibrant color. If your room has very little natural light, you can display cut branches in a tall vessel for a similar effect.

Take Action: 

Bringing in even a single small houseplant can have a surprisingly large impact on how your living room looks and feels. If you haven’t had good luck keeping plants alive in the past, get recommendations for easy-care plants that will do well in your space.

◦  Bring in large potted plants like split leaf philodendron or fiddle leaf fig for a

    dramatic look.

◦  To start small, try an easy-to-care-for houseplant like a potted aloe or

     spider plant.

◦  If you have a sunny window ledge, why not grow a few pots of fresh herbs?

◦  If houseplants won’t work in your space, bring in cut branches and fresh flowers

    whenever possible. Even a single bloom in a bud vase has a remarkably

    cheering effect.

Living rooms are sometimes overlooked, but nothing beats being able to sit comfortably with friends and family, to talk, enjoy a drink or watch a movie.

Comfort is key to creating a relaxed, sociable living space, so concentrate on getting the style and position of the seating right, then build up from there, adding fun touches, handy side tables and just the right lighting.

Different Types of Seating

If sociable means entertaining friends and family of all ages, work in more than one seating type. While squishy sofas may suit those who want to kick off their shoes and snuggle down, older visitors may prefer the support of an upright chair. Children may prefer floor cushions. 

Light a Fire

Humans have gathered around fires for millennia, to eat, talk, warm up and feel safe. Lighting one in your living room produces the same sense of sociability and comfort. 

Face Each Other

Sofas that face each other, rather than the TV, promote conversation. Make sure they’re positioned close enough together that you and your guest aren’t shouting at each other across the divide. Just because you’re squeezing in two sofas doesn’t mean you need to scrimp on size.

Provide Several Surfaces

Tables on which you can pop a mug, glass or bowl of snacks are essential to a sociable living space. Choose small tables rather than a larger central surface, helps to maintain a light, airy feel to a room and are easy to move around.

Consider a Corner Sofa

Nothing says sociable like a corner couch. This flexible, space-efficient form of seating works particularly well for big families with modest living rooms. It provides a large expanse of comfy seating, which encourages teens to lounge and toddlers to get cozy.

To make this type of seating even more functional, consider a coffee table that doubles as a footstool. The extra surface will provide even more opportunities for everyone to stretch out.

Get the Lighting Right

A sociable living room needs lighting that creates a warm atmosphere, but without being too dim. You want to be able to see your guests. Weave in a flexible mix of lamps and ceiling lights to create a soft, layered look.

If you like a calm, uncluttered aesthetic, go for wall lights, as they give a more diffused light than a central pendant without the need to add lamps to other surfaces in the room.

Install Sliding Doors

If you’re considering completely remodeling your home, how about this for an idea. Sliding doors between the kitchen and living space. When closed, the living room feels cozy and intimate. When the doors are open, the living room flows into the kitchen, making it part of a larger, flexible and super-sociable space.