| Did you know that more than half of all U.S. | | | | * Introduce a chalkboard wall to save on paper |
| businesses are home-based? Did you also know - | | | | and brainstorm ideas. |
| according to the Small Business Association - they | | | | Eclectic Designs: |
| estimate approximately 6.6 million of these | | | | * Blending and layering of bold colors and graphic |
| businesses provide more than half of their | | | | patterns. |
| household income? The homeprenuer trend is | | | | * Large-scaled patterned wallpapers and grass |
| growing, and will only continue to intensify. So how | | | | cloths are back in vogue. |
| do we create that home office to provide us with | | | | * Clean, simple and flexible office furniture styles. |
| a positive environment in which to grow? | | | | * Office seating upholstered in bright bold fabrics |
| Since almost 90% of home-based entrepreneurs | | | | with neutral pillows. |
| have families, separating the living and working | | | | Color Trends: |
| environments can prove to be a little tricky. So | | | | Yellow: |
| pick a spot in your home, where noise and traffic | | | | * It's THE color for this year's palette. Wall color |
| are at a minimum and privacy is optimum. A | | | | or accessories. |
| separate guesthouse outside, or a room above | | | | * If it's good for the White House, it'll be great in |
| your garage, would be the ideal location for your | | | | your house. |
| home office, but the reality is that the typical | | | | * Epitomizes warmth and a sunny outlook toward |
| home-based business is located inside the house. | | | | the future. |
| Entrepreneurs, tend to be highly creative and | | | | * Sparks imagination and innovation. |
| innovative people - and their work environments | | | | Mauve: |
| should reflect that aspect of their personality. If | | | | * Defines refined luxury and elegance. |
| your home office space is stimulating and sparks | | | | * Represents a sense of royalty and power. |
| innovation, then your creativity just flows. When | | | | Green: |
| it's dull, drab and dingy your work will suffer the | | | | * Natural colors of sand, trees and moss green. |
| same fate. We've entered a new decade. Isn't it | | | | * Creates a sense of balance and harmony. |
| time to "Up the Ante"? | | | | * Aqua/Teal will be a hot summer accent color. |
| Whether you're purchasing new office furniture, | | | | Grey: |
| re-painting your space or simply accessorizing, | | | | * Charcoal and slate grays are the new neutrals |
| punch up your home office environment and | | | | and showcase the brightly colored furniture. |
| infuse a few of these cool new design trends into | | | | * Metallic grays in furniture, leather and metals are |
| your plan. | | | | hot this year - and blend beautifully with each of |
| 2010 Design Trends: | | | | these trend setting colors. |
| Eco-Friendly: | | | | Neutrals: |
| * Nature-inspired design and green products. | | | | * Ecologically driven neutrals and organic tones. |
| * Natural environmentally friendly furnishings. | | | | * Muted colors always evoke a sense of calm - |
| * Paint colors that work with your company's | | | | but infuse some color for accent to keep you |
| branding, logo and website. (Use Low VOC or | | | | jazzed and awake. |
| Zero VOC paints.) | | | | |