When deciding on the location of outlets and phone jacks, the owner chose to provide a separate electrical outlet for the computer and peripherals, which reduced the chance of overloading any of the room circuits. Shrewd positioning of bookshelves and cabinets helps isolate the office space and makes the rest of the great room perfectly functional for other uses. In a room where the desk is positioned near a large window, most people prefer to include curtains or blinds so that light can be controlled and privacy protected when necessary. Natural daylight is generally a very good thing for people who spend long hours in a home office, but sometimes harsh direct sunlight needs to be filtered or blocked. A large room such as this one has plenty of space to add a seating area—an important consideration if your home office serves as a meeting space for clients or colleagues. Closets in the bedroom can be used for office storage, or can even hold an entire home office. When your work is done for the day, you can close the door on it. If you still need the space as a place for family meals or for children to do homework, other solutions may be required. Creating a shared workspace such as this one may require using smaller furniture. You don’t want a desk that overwhelms the room. And a crowded room makes it harder to stay motivated at work or to relax during meals. In a room with an alcove or inset space, this area can be an excellent space for storing files or reference books. In rooms with unique shapes, you may need to consider a specialty desk or a combination of furniture styles to provide adequate work surfaces.
