Work-at-Home-Mom Office — by Guest Mom Jane Maynard
I’m what they call a “work-at-home-mom.” (I take some issue with this phrase…all moms “work-at-home,” but I won’t get into THAT right now…) Anyway, since I spend so much time at my computer, I need my workspace to be a welcoming place. I already have a serious procrastination problem…if my desk was a corner of the kitchen table or the back of closet, I would never get anything done!
We just moved to a new apartment with a hugemongous living room. We put my desk on one side of the room and I am LOVING it. I initially thought I would hate having my work area in our living space, but for so many reasons it is really wonderful. Since it is out where everyone can see, I have to keep it looking ship-shape.
I LOVE my little office area. Every time I look over at it from the couch it makes me happy. Here’s why…
My desk is the BJÖRKUDDEN kitchen table from Ikea. It’s huge. Which is awesome. You’ll never go back to a wimpy little desk again!
I love the wall space where I sit. I hung a few of my favorite pieces of art, a lovely calendar from Good on Paper, and a classy letter bin from Pottery Barn. Oh, and the clock. Don’t you love that clock? (From Ikea.)
Having my office in the common area forces me to stay organized and tidy. Fortunately I don’t have many files or paperwork to deal with, so a simple mug holding my pens and a box to throw “junk” in works (box from PB). If I need more storage space then I need less stuff!
My greatest office love is my Mac. I love everything about it, especially my 23-inch widescreen display. Pure heaven for a designer.
There is only one serious downfall in my little WAHM office. The chair. It’s awful. It’s starting to fall apart and my back has about as many knots as, well, something that has lots of knots. I HATE THE CHAIR.
If you have any ideas for a supportive, comfortable but super-cute, not-too-big chair, please share! Or tell us about your favorite part of your workspace…whether it’s in an office, a kitchen, a school, wherever!
We just moved to a new apartment with a hugemongous living room. We put my desk on one side of the room and I am LOVING it. I initially thought I would hate having my work area in our living space, but for so many reasons it is really wonderful. Since it is out where everyone can see, I have to keep it looking ship-shape.
I LOVE my little office area. Every time I look over at it from the couch it makes me happy. Here’s why…
My desk is the BJÖRKUDDEN kitchen table from Ikea. It’s huge. Which is awesome. You’ll never go back to a wimpy little desk again!
I love the wall space where I sit. I hung a few of my favorite pieces of art, a lovely calendar from Good on Paper, and a classy letter bin from Pottery Barn. Oh, and the clock. Don’t you love that clock? (From Ikea.)
Having my office in the common area forces me to stay organized and tidy. Fortunately I don’t have many files or paperwork to deal with, so a simple mug holding my pens and a box to throw “junk” in works (box from PB). If I need more storage space then I need less stuff!
My greatest office love is my Mac. I love everything about it, especially my 23-inch widescreen display. Pure heaven for a designer.
There is only one serious downfall in my little WAHM office. The chair. It’s awful. It’s starting to fall apart and my back has about as many knots as, well, something that has lots of knots. I HATE THE CHAIR.
If you have any ideas for a supportive, comfortable but super-cute, not-too-big chair, please share! Or tell us about your favorite part of your workspace…whether it’s in an office, a kitchen, a school, wherever!
posted by Gabrielle of Design Mom at Monday, July 14, 2008
30 Comments:
I love a chair with wheels - but don't have a good recommendation for you. We just went to an office supply store one day and my husband and I tried them all until we found one we liked.
having the same office chair problems here. . . looking forward to blog readers ideas!
We just bought two of these Pluto chairs (http://www.everythingfurniture.com/zuo-pluto-occasional-chair-2.html)
for our little office area--right off the kitchen--and I LOVE them. They are super comfortable, colorful, cheerful, and modern-looking! Everything I could have wished. :) You can see a picture of them in our room here: http://light-in-leaves.blogspot.com/2008/07/dining-roomoffice.html
Wonderful work space, Jane. It looks like something out of PB catalogs! I love the idea of the big table.
I just bought this chair from IKEA after an exhausting search for a comfortable yet not ugly office chair: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80121649
I'm 8 months pregnant and it is SO comfortable! I actually purchased it in the black leather as it seemed a bit more padded than the fabric. Can always recover it later!
Oohhh...you have given me inspiration to redesign my home office.
I got a recycled office chair from a state surplus store for like $ 5..have had it forever...my favorite part of my scraproom/office is the round "meeting" table and chairs we found at a yard sale & revived!
I think this vintage-style wood swivel chair would look terrific in black:
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p342/index.cfm?pkey=cfurhofchr
We got 8 for my spouse's conference table and they are fabulous and comfortable (especially with cushion).
On the plus side, they swivel so you can check out what's happening on the other side of the room (or maybe that's not such a good thing!)
Enjoy!
I'm inspired! I definitely need to jazz up my white walls and garage sale desk computer area!
Dont laugh
trust me I do this for a living - design I maen - thisis in my sons room and think of the bounus - a stretch and well your girls will show you
http://www.gaiam.com/product/id/1012776.do
or mine --
http://www.sitcorrect.com/product/IZZ-H6035?gclid=CJff7cn4wJQCFQObFQodJDpcEg
Dagney
Since you will be working at your desk I would recommend a task chair. The one I've used and LOVE is the Uno chair by Turnstone a division of Steelcase. This chair was designed by renowned sculptor Charles Perry. It is super comfy, flexible and doesn't have a bulky feel that most office style chairs have. Check out this site to see a picture of the chair. http://www.steelcase.com/na/uno_products.aspx?f=12279 (hope this link works - if not just google it)
I don't have any ideas on the chair, but I just wanted to say I love your space you have designed and I am going to copy it to a "T." love it.
oh, I'm so happy you all love my office space as much as I do! it makes me smile. :)
I cannot WAIT to check out all your links. seriously. I knew you'd all come through for me!! (of course, if you haven't posted a comment yet and have an idea, please do!)
ok, if you were really cool, you'd get this desk chair:
http://www.amazon.com/Herman-Miller-Aeron-Office-Loaded/dp/B000KDO4NG/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1216102734&sr=1-7
it might be a bit pricey, but it's pretty comfortable.
I don't have any ideas on the chair, I do love the office though. I would love to hear what you do from home, I am really looking for a office to home transistion. If you have any time I would love to hear. My email is bjstephens4@yahoo.com
Thanks
Believe it or not, this stool from IKEA has been working out for me. It forces me to sit up straight and it fits nicely under my desk, which is also one of the IKEA tables like yours (mine is a decade old; was our kitchen table when my husband and I first lived together). I'll probably find a cushion to put on it too. http://www.flickr.com/photos/leslieduss/2671651012/
Love the office and the ideas. Can't offer suggestions on the chair, I usually use our MacBook on the sofa and print to a network printer in the office. After going with a Mac, the desktop PC just doesn't get used much anymore.
Would LOVE to see a follow-up post on cord management. I have yet to find a real solution. With a young child in the house it is a real concern.
Been thinking about throwing our powerstrip in a shoe box, cutting a hole for the cords to exit and taping it shut. Then use straps to bind the cords. Not very elegant however. Other thoughts?
I love the whole setup. It's very neat and clean. I want to copy your idea for the table. I just bought this beautiful desk from homeofficesolutions.com and I am looking for ways to store documents and such. I also got a laptop holder because I hate when I constantly have to bend over to see the screen. They have really nice chairs there too if you are looking for a place to purchase some. The free shipping is always a good thing too.
Jane, you have once again inspired me. I am sure I take the cake for worst procastinator ever, and my home office is the "collection pile" of junk for the house, and because we can shut the door, the last priority. But thanks to you, I'm totally inspired to bring it to the top of my list. You rock. Have fun in Berlin & Paris!!
rick - excellent question, and I hate the cord situation so much. I honestly don't have a solution. I tie them all together with plastic tie thingys (how's that for an accurate descpription?) and hide them behind my speaker or computer tower. the shoebox idea is good. perhaps others have solutions?
loving all your comments so much! :)
You definitely did the right thing by buying an affordable desk, unless you had it shipped from ikea. I live in Nashville and shipping costs from Ikea make it totally unrealistic to buy any furniture from them.
A good chair is one of the most important pieces of furniture to any office. It will pay off in the long run and hopefully eliminate any future chiropractic bills.
Finding good art is pretty easy around these parts and even simpler with etsy.
forget the shoe box use the martha stewart ribbon box ... both of you
AND
pick the chair already
we all have sent links its like a contest
who found the one you like best !
~d
I unfortunately have a similar problem Jane. But my computer chair is not only uncomfortable but it is UGLY. This is what I have been forced to deal with for 5+ years.
http://www.officemax.com/omax/catalog/sku.jsp?skuId=20855460&category_Id=33
I think I win the "terrible office chair contest", if you are having one. Luckily the set up is in a backroom- not out in full view. You have inspired me to change it ASAP!!
that is so funny...I will have to let you all know what chair I choose! I still don't know... :)
I absolutely LOVE my Eames molded fiberglass chair. It's white with the eiffel base and is so comfortable. Although it is a bit on the pricier side, it's a "piece" as I like to call it and will be passed down to generations! Nothing like a gorgeous something to make the Ikea stuff look even better...!
I have this chair from Ikea and it is perfect. Simple, small, comfortable and comes in color. I got the red and I especially like that the back isn't black (which a lot of the colored office chairs are) so it looks cute even when pushed under the desk.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80121649
I just came across this cute chair in the PB kids catalog...
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/dsk10/index.cfm?pkey=cfrndsk%7Ck
Not sure how comfy it is, but it looks cute!
Love your office space!!
Have you checked out The Door Store. I bought some nice chairs there not too long ago.
Jane - I have a scrapbooking fettish and your ideas for keeping a well-organized desk gave me ideas - Thanks! Now here's an idea for you - since you are an Ikea fan - as am I - I just bought their Snille chair. It was very affordable (like $25), it has wheels to wheel around in and play with your little ones on, it comes in many colors so you can choose the best for your taste and living room design AND it is awesome on the back. Trust me - I have a bad one so I am the authority on comfy. If you get it I hope you enjoy it!
I am home from all the traveling and finally sat down to look at each and everyone of your fantastic chair ideas...and I'm stumped! right now I think I might go try out the SKRUVSTA chair at ikea - two people mentioned that they love it. but honestly, I don't know what I'm going to do. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU...your suggestions and websites are so handy. when I finally make a decision, I'll post it...hopefully sooner rather than later! :)
Post a Comment
<< Home