Take inspiration from Loudon County’s new Sterling Library to design a custom home office that will help you focus and get things done.

In my opinion, there are few things more inspiring than a shiny new library location. Designers pull out all the stops, incorporating bold colors and shapes, employing cutting-edge design technology, and sparing no expense to make the building look and function as beautifully as possible. Sparkling new bookshelves house hundreds of books from expansive collections. Stylish furniture in contemporary styles add visual interest to the room, and a flawlessly fresh layout makes working and browsing even easier. A new library location is a huge undertaking, to say the least.

One such massive project has finally been completed in Loudon County, MD: a sparkling and innovative new library complex, complete with a “makerspace” for productivity in diverse fields. Locals have had over a month now to check out the new Sterling Library, and with a third of the county’s population under the age of 18, it’s likely your kids have had the chance to experience the magic as well. In the midst of such a productive and intellectually stimulating space, it’s easy to reconsider our own productivity—and to be inspired to update our office spaces at home.

Start at the Center of Productivity

When you’re designing a home office space, the first place you’ll want to start is with your main workspace: the desk. Think about your working habits. Do you enjoy spreading out over one large table space, or would you prefer several more distinct surfaces for different projects? Will your kids also be using the space to do homework after coming home from an LCPS location, or will you have the room all to yourself? Do you prefer to face a window or a particular direction in the room while you’re working? These questions will determine the size and shape of desk that best suits your needs.

While you could go out searching for the perfect standalone desk, choosing to go the custom route lets you immediately see the results you’re imagining. Plus, your finished product will be sturdier and far more enduring than the models you could pick up at a big box store. Hidden wall supports and locking shelf mechanisms make your workspace nearly as durable as the Bull Run Mountains. And because our custom desks blend seamlessly with your space and with the surrounding cabinetry, it’s easy to create a truly sophisticated built-in look.

Build Out Your Personal Library Space

The next piece of the home office puzzle involves designing areas for storage of your documents, supplies, tools, and office electronics. And if you’re anything like me, your office is going to need some serious storage for books. So let’s start there.

Bookshelves are a dime a dozen these days, but finding a really sturdy model with shelves that don’t sag—that is a difficult task. Since you probably don’t want the industrial-strength sheet metal shelves that the Loudoun County Public Library prefers, thermally fused laminate shelving is a good substitute. These shelves are extremely durable and stand up well to the weight of even the heaviest book collections.

Create Space for Storage

If you spend most of your time commuting on Route 7 and working for the Department of Homeland Security (as many residents of the Loudoun County public do), you might not need a lot of extra storage space in your home office. But those of us who work from home or run an entrepreneurial business have a bigger need for cabinetry that can both house and conceal the countless documents and items we use daily.

When you design a custom home office, it’s a simple matter to add as much storage space as you need. Some of our clients request extra file cabinets disguised as built-in drawers in order to house invoices or other business documentation. Custom designed file cabinets are sturdy, soft-closing, and exactly where you need them. Other clients need extra cabinet space for storing office tools and electronics. In this case, custom-cut grommets help with corralling cords out of sight and out of mind.

With a newly designed space that perfectly lays out your professional needs, you’re all set to make working in your home a much more pleasant experience. Interested in getting started? Sign up for your free design consultation today with one of Closet America’s design experts. We’ll work together to create a home office design that truly inspires productivity.