Warm Up Your Workspace

Shea McGee of Studio McGee shares her favorite ways to make a home office shine.

Most of us spend a third of our lives at work, and when you work from home, it’s especially important that your workspace feels cohesive and considered. In the last few years, remote work opportunities have shifted the way we work, and by now, every Zoom background deserves a bit of a glow-up. After all, the rest of your home is designed with your comfort and preferences in mind … why not your office, too? Whether you’re blessed with a dedicated space for your 9-to-5 or taking calls from a cozy corner of a multipurpose room, thoughtful lighting is sure to elevate and inspire you to stay on task and accomplish your best work yet. Wondering where to begin? We asked designer Shea McGee of Studio McGee to share her top tips on how to design a layered lighting plan with purpose and productivity in mind.

Start From the Top

 

As with any other room in your house, a well-designed home office comes down to form and function. According to McGee, layered lighting is essential to achieving a feeling of intentionality. “Start with can lights or a chandelier overhead, then layer in accent lighting like table lamps, floor lamps and even sconces,” she says. “Each layer adds a design element and also helps your space feel warmer and cozier.”

Know Your Angles

 

While a window would seem to be the perfect spot for a desk, positioning a workstation parallel to a natural light source can help to create an optimal environment for focusing on deadlines and to-do lists. No matter what, forget about achieving a perfect balance, and remember that the eye has to travel. “Go for some asymmetry and get creative with your lighting,” McGee says. “If you have a large overhead fixture, add a lamp on a desk or drawers and balance it all out with a vignette.”

Keep It Chic … and Make It Work

 

Some elements of a home office, like a comfortable chair and closed storage, are non negotiable. As for the rest? Think outside the box! One of the great opportunities of designing a home office is the chance to surround yourself with things you love, from art and objects to cherished collections. “Adding a library sconce above a piece of art or bookshelves instantly elevates the entire room, “says McGee. “When you highlight your built-ins and open shelves with a sconce, your styling really stands out.”

Mix It Up

 

With all the screens, cords and tech, a home office can quickly start to feel utilitarian. A mix of metallic finishes in your lighting scheme offers a breath of fresh air and keeps the room from feeling like all work and no play. “If you have a polished nickel pendant, add a small brass task lamp on your desk,” McGee says. “Mixing metals in secondary lights bring more interest to your home office.”

Take Your Time

 

Remember: your home office can – and should! – feel like a haven. From the layout to the furniture and finishing details, every element of your workspace should bring out the best in you … and the lighting scheme is no exception. “We like to use lighting to our advantage, creating special and unexpected moments,” McGee says. “Home offices are usually one of the most function-based rooms we design in homes, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be beautiful.”