More people than ever before are working from home at least part-time. This has made having a designated office space crucial to separating home and work and being able to focus free of distractions. Designing and decorating your home office is a serious undertaking. After all, this is a place you will spend many hours a week in. The overall look and feel should inspire and motivate you every time you enter the room. There are many styles to choose from, but there is an underdog that really knows how to make a statement. Monochrome is a style that often goes overlooked when researching the best home office designs.
Are you under the impression that a monochromatic design means that your home office can only be one shade of black or white? Think again! This under-rated style is the perfect balance between simplistic yet stimulating, making it an ideal choice for your home office.
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What is a Monochromatic Style?
A monochromatic style means that only one colour is used in various shades, tints, tones, and textures throughout the entire room. The different variations of the one base colour are used to create differentiation in the room. Terms you should know when working with a monochromatic scheme include:
- Value – Refers to how light or dark the colour is
- Tint – The value after the colour has been lightened (e.g., with white)
- Shade – The value after the colour has been darkened (e.g., with black)
- Tone – The value after grey has been added to the colour
Why Should You Choose a Monochrome Scheme?
If you want your office to have a harmonious and relaxing vibe, this is a scheme that checks both boxes. Using only one colour avoids a hectic look and feel that ends up being more distracting than calming or inspiring. Here’s how a monochrome scheme is advantageous:
- Draws attention to the area(s) of the office you want to get noticed
- Easily create a dramatic effect without the hassle of having to pair a bunch of different colours together
- Design a soothing environment by repeating patterns
How to Design a Monochromatic Style Home Office?
Once you understand the fundamentals, achieving a monochrome look is easier than you may think. These tips offer guidance for designing your home office.
Create Stunning Textures and Patterns
This is the secret to achieving both the “wow” factor while following the strict guidelines of a monochromatic look. Textures add visual appeal, while patterns add depth. Textures and patterns can be added in the following ways:
- Fabrics
- Furniture
- Rugs
- Flooring (tile, laminate, etc.)
- Artwork
- Decor
- & more!
Don’t forget only to choose accents that contain shades and tones of your base colour. The addition of any other colour, no matter how minute, will break the rules of an interior monochrome style.
A word of caution: Be careful when adding patterns and textures because it can add a degree of complexity that detracts from a simplistic style. The size of your space will dictate how many textures and patterns are appropriate.
Choosing the Right Base Colour
Neutral colours such as browns, greys, and beiges are most commonly used in a monochrome style room because it is easier to match shades and tones. If you aren’t feeling neutrals, that’s okay. You can choose any colour you want. Think about the mood you are going for when choosing. For instance, if you want a cosy room, then you will want to pick a warm colour. When layered correctly, any colour will work, including yellows, greens, reds, and blues.
Bonus Tip: If you choose a bold colour, be careful to layer the shades and tones in such a way that the room is not too loud or overwhelming.
Picking Colour Variations
Once you have your base colour, it is time to choose variations of that colour to layer your home office with. This can seem like an overwhelming task if you aren’t sure where to start. The easiest way to approach it is to have an end goal of three variations, with one of them being your base colour. One should be dark. One should be light, and the other in the middle of the two. Using a paint chart can help you pick the right shades.
If you feel brave or have experience with monochrome, you can choose as many variations you like. However, it is pertinent to note that all of your variations should be either warm or cool, following suit with your base colour.
The Details Matter
When working with one colour, even if it is in different shades, you risk every component of the room looking the same. This is where the details matter. Furnishings plays a large role in your home office design. For the perfect furniture to complete your monochrome look such as a handy black wardrobe, find it at Instrument. Décor such as lighting, wall art, and rugs can make all the difference in breaking your home office up visually and giving the space definition.
It is advisable to start with the floor first and then work your way to the walls. This systematic approach helps ensure the cohesive yet contrasting look that you are going for.
What are Your Focal Points?
Decide what aspects of your home office you want to draw attention to and be the focal points of your space. Depending on the size, you may have just one focal point or a couple of different ones. Use accessories to create these focal points.
Lighter colours make spaces feel larger, while darker hues make rooms feel smaller. This is why when decorating your home office, smaller accessories and accents should have a darker value, while larger ones should have a lighter value.
Provide a Visual Break
No matter what colour you’ve chosen, it can seem a bit overwhelming. Give the eye a visual break by leaving blank space in the room. It doesn’t have to be much, just enough to give your eyes a momentary rest when scanning the room.
Ready to Give it a Whirl?
The concept of a monochromatic design may seem overwhelming at first. There’s no need to fear. Even a beginner can successfully create a monochrome office space! Use these tips to pick your base colour, variations, textures, patterns, and accessories. Before you know it, you will have a home office that you can’t wait to work in!
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