So what’s design got to do with it—everything. For all of the bosses who work from a home office, it can be both rewarding and challenging. Rewarding because you own your time, manage your own hours, and get to avoid cubicle quarantine for 8-plus hour days, but perhaps challenging because if your work environment doesn’t support a design that’s conducive for productivity, you may find yourself sitting on the dock of the bay watching too many tides (hours) roll away.
Al and Dereky Hagler own and operate D&A Designs L.L.C., an award-winning, full-service home improvement and remodeling company headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metro. Dereky offers a unique edge in interior design by providing innovative solutions that lead to an experience that achieves results. D&A is widely known for their philanthropy and paying-it-forward philosophy by providing surprise home makeovers for veterans and victims of fires.
We recently caught up with Dereky to talk about how entrepreneurs can take design ideas and upgrade their work environment to increase productivity.
(Image: Dereky Hagler Photo Credit: Jackie Hicks Photography)
Tranquility
Choose a neutral dominant color. Let’s face it. Work can sometimes be stressful even at home but if you choose a palette for a wall color such as a calming gray or a soothing blue then you can create a relaxed, productive atmosphere. I recommend using Gray Matters by Sherwin-Williams, Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore or Reflecting Pool by Sherwin-Williams.
Clarity
Let’s be crystal clear, clutter creates confusion and robs you of clarity. Make sure your office is functional with lots of storage. In addition to a desk, purchase a built in credenza or a storage closet. You may have business correspondence, conference materials, contract paperwork, or must-keep printouts, and what better way to organize and store your important documents so you know exactly where they are when you need to refer to them.
Inspiration
Create a wall of fame. This is the perfect space to display your accomplishments, awards, trophies, plaques or certificates. Go to IKEA and get decorative frames to place them in. If you have none, no problem, go online and purchase your favorite inspirational posters and frame them. Success breeds success and you’ll need to be reminded to “keep going” for tough days when you have a wall of fame.
Connection
In your makeover, be sure to include furniture such as additional chairs for guests. When you run a business out of your home, be prepared by making your guests (potential or existing clients and customers) feel welcome. Additional seating in your office brings a professional edge and a constant reminder that business is about connection, conversation, and collaboration.
Creativity
Decorative desks and chairs offer functionality as well as style. Don’t trivialize your work space, you can still personalize or customize it in excellence and character. Remember, you are spending a WHOLE lot of time here—so allow this space to inspire you to deliver at your highest productivity. You want your office to not only be a reflection of your brand, but a visionary space of success. Wayfair is a great source to look for decorative desks and Home Goods is a wonderful spot for decorative functional chairs.
Here’s a recent segment on Fox5DC on designing a functional space for any home office.
To learn more about D&A Designs L.L.C., visit www.Facebook.com/D&ADesignsLLC Office: 202-355-2003. Dereky has appeared as a regular guest contributor on FOX, ABC, and CBS network affiliates D & A Designs’ award-winning work.
