A home office really works when it's designed to be both productive and pleasing. With more workers telecommuting in this digital age, home offices are workspaces that can also incorporate elements from a house's overall design, says Erin Hardy, California Closets' National Manager of Design, based in Boston.

"There is an art to working and living under the same roof," she says. "The key is to create a space that literally works for you."

In fact, more than 26 million employed persons do some work at home as part of their primary job, according to the 2018 United States Department of Labor's American Time Use Survey. Today's home offices are not only functional, they can also be fashionable, ranging from contemporary clean-lined furniture to an organized workspace in a multiuse room.

Having an in-home office cuts one's commute and affords persons the flexibility to work early or late on a project by simply walking down a hallway. But Hardy says striking a work-life balance is imperative when a home office is accessible all hours of the day.

"Every home office is highly personal, based on the layout of your living space, and how one likes to work," she says. "It's important to customize it into a space you love, but one you can also leave."

Get down to business

When selecting the space for your home office, it's important to try to keep its location separate from highly personal areas that have nothing to do with work, such as the bedroom.

"Most people find their home office is a room in their house in which they can close the door to free themselves from distractions and be able to get down to work," Hardy says. "What the room looks like depends on the space available and your personal style."

Hardy says for most people wanting a more traditional office experience at home, California Closets transforms and customizes an unused bedroom or space dedicated in a house to a library. "But, more often, a person's home office is a multifunctional space, which can also serve as a guest bedroom or a family's technology room with a printer," she says. "Because laptops don't need to be tethered to a wall and files are shared digitally, there's less need for cabinetry to accommodate papers and large computers."

Manufacturers add technology-driven functionality to home office furniture that can accommodate built-in power strips with charger cable hookups for computers and digital devices, electrical outlets and a Wi-Fi booster. These features are often hidden inside a cabinet to keep cords and cables organized, so the workspace remains uncluttered.

California Closets can customize a small office space starting around $1,200, Hardy says. "You want the space to be visually clean so you can jump right into work," she says. "No one wants to climb under the desk to deal with a tangled mess of cords. That's a productivity killer."

Work in progress

The centerpiece of any home office is its work surface or desk. The style of your home office furniture should take a cue from other furnishings found in the home. Manufacturers such as California Closets offer work surfaces that are modular, with the capability to add drawers, bookshelves and cubbies as needed.

While many manufacturers offer furniture options that reflect a modern minimalistic movement, Hardy says a table can also serve as a workspace. Investing in a sit-to-stand height-adjustable desk means that selecting a comfortable, functional chair is a decision best made when sitting down in the home office. Whether one chooses to sit in a traditional ergonomic chair or balance on a large exercise ball behind their home office desk, make sure the chair works in the space, with plenty of clearance on all sides.

A bright spot

Making light work by creating a multilayered lighting plan is something best done before constructing a home office. To illuminate the work you do in a home office, consider using a combination of light sources:

-- General -- This type of lighting addresses overall illumination, with the goal to enhance natural and overhead light fixtures so people feel comfortable and look good in the space -- especially when it comes to teleconference calls.

-- Task -- Lamps are relatively inexpensive, personalized accents that can be as stylish as they are useful when shedding light on the work surface.

-- Accent -- Indirect LED lighting installed in display shelving can serve as a cool design feature and make it easier to retrieve documents.

Enliven the space

What one hangs on home office walls can be highly personal -- such as awards and degrees -- but items or artwork shouldn't distract from the business at hand. For the ultimate enlivened accessory, decorate a space with live plants, such as an orchid, low-maintenance succulents or cut flowers.

If your home office is a multipurpose room -- such as a family technology center or guest bedroom -- organize the space with less personal items that refer to your work. A bedroom/home office can feature a fold-down bed, which is hinged at one end to store vertically against the wall inside framed cabinetry. Multiple workstations in a single room can be a place for the family to do their "homework" together.

Works like a charm

Hardy says the goal of a home office is to help people lead a more integrated life between personal responsibilities and work. "It's important to customize your home office into a space you love," she says. "A home office doesn't need to be fancy; it can be simple and functional, while still getting the job done."

Work It

For more information:

-- Go to CaliforniaClosets.com, or call 1-888-336-9707, and request a free consultation.

For more homeowners, being in the doghouse is a good thing, especially when it comes to design centered on their four-legged family members.

According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA) National Pet Owners' Survey from 2018, an estimated 84.9-million United States households own a pet. The research found that Americans spent more than $72 billion on their pets, and that spending has steadily increased every year over the past two decades, says Tierra Bonaldi, Pet Lifestyle Expert with APPA, based in Stamford, Connecticut.

"Owners no longer consider their pet just an animal, but rather, equate them to another family member," Bonaldi says. "Because we view our pets in more human terms, our demand for higher quality and design has grown to be more in line with our preferences for products for the rest of the family."

Homes can have that (bow) wow factor with doggie decor and feline furnishings, which mirror our human preferences. "Home decor manufacturers are making products for pets that are not only functional and convenient for owners, but also something pet owners actually want to display in their homes," Bonaldi says. "With millennials now taking over as the primary pet-owning demographic, there is a demand for pet furniture that takes up minimal space, stores easily or seamlessly fits into their living space."

According to APPA, many builders are investing in special architectural accommodations for the four-legged inhabitants of homes. "Builders recognize that more than two-thirds of the population owns pets, and accommodating their needs as pet owners only makes for a more desirable home," Bonaldi says.

Evidence that home construction has gone to the dogs -- in a good way -- includes:

-- Washing and grooming stations in a mudroom, custom cabinetry with built-in food and water bowls, doggie doors and specialized low windows so pets can see outdoors.

-- Simple pet-friendly built-in options such as wall hooks for leashes and collars by the door; bins for pet food and toy storage; or a fold-down pet bed that is hinged at one end to store vertically against the wall when not in use.

-- Flooring and home furniture manufacturers offer pet-friendly options that essentially protect from everyday wear and tear of pets, including stylish stain-proof fabrics, while using materials that are durable, easy-to-clean and made to withstand claws and paws.

But to understand what pets truly need, form and function must also work from the four-legged perspective, says Abbey Stark, senior interior design leader at Ikea-US. A Swedish-founded company, Ikea designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture and home accessories, and is one of the most accessible contemporary home-goods retailers in the world.

"We brought in pet-loving designers and trained veterinarians to help develop Ikea's cat and dog home collection," Stark says. "The LURVIG line was created with our pets' natural needs and behavior as starting points."

With products that include a cozy cat hidey-hole, which fits into a bookcase, and snug dog beds with easy-to-clean cushions, a pet's essentials can be integrated into a minimalistic home design. "Having dedicated spaces for food storage, toys, and a place for your pet to enjoy a good night's sleep are all important for the happiness of your pet and the organization of your home," Stark says.

APPA says pet products that serve a dual function are most popular, including a dog bed and nightstand in one, or a litter box and end table combination. "We also noticed many manufacturers offering white and gray furniture, with more modern designs, again, mirroring the decor trends we're seeing on the human side," Bonaldi says.

Pet owners and homeowners can stylishly coexist by creating Zenlike zones for animals inside a house. "Nooks can create a cozy sleeping area for your pet, store a litter box or a food station," Stark says. "Selecting blankets and cushions that match the decor of your home is one easy way to provide a cozy place for your pet, while protecting furniture and not compromising the design of your home."

Homeowners don't have to undergo a house remodel to enjoy the perks of having a pet. Items in Ikea's LURVIG line range from $5 to $50, but you can also borrow inspiration from existing items in your home to attain pet purr-fection.

Living with pets as companions can fill a need for connection in this busy tech-filled world, Stark says. "Pets have become part of our daily lives," she says. "Pets give us unconditional love, and for that, we want to provide them with a home that is cozy, filled with happiness and a lot of treats."

Creature Comforts

For more information:

-- American Pet Products Association, www.americanpetproducts.org

-- Ikea-US, https://www.ikea.com/us/en/, Search LURVIG

Packages tied up with strings may be one of your favorite things this holiday season. So, to wrap in a snap at home, creating and stocking a gift-wrapping station may be a present's piece de resistance.

A beautifully wrapped gift is almost like giving two gifts in one, says Hallmark Cards Inc. Master Designer Bet David. Founded in 1910, Hallmark is a family-owned company based in Kansas City, Missouri, and is the oldest and largest manufacturer of greeting cards in the United States. The company also manufactures party and seasonal goods, such as gift-wrap collections of papers, bows, tags and bags.

"To be thoughtful in the way you wrap a gift sends a message to the recipient and is also a special way to extend the gift's surprise," David says. "It's all about the desire to present your gift with a visual experience."

If you find yourself getting wrapped up while searching your home for paper and supplies to cover your gifts in a clever way, setting up a gift-wrapping station may be the solution, says Erin Hardy, California Closets' national manager of design, based in Boston. Wrapping gifts at the kitchen table isn't always the best option, so having a clean and organized space for a gift-wrapping station will help you tie up any loose ends easily.

"A gift-wrapping station is a practical use of space -- it displays paper, ribbons and bows so you can see what you have, and creates a clean, designated surface that stays clear for when you need it," Hardy says. "From a small nook off of the kitchen to an entire guest room ... we frequently design gift-wrapping stations as multifunctional spaces in home offices, laundry or craft rooms."

Just as good things can come in small packages, gift-wrapping stations don't need to be overwhelming in size. A small, custom-made wrapping station designed by California Closets can start around $1,200, Hardy says.

Countertops and Cabinetry

While most tables are 30 inches tall, the optimal height for a gift-wrapping countertop is 36 inches, which is the standard height in kitchens. Near the counter/desktop can be drawers and shelving units that house ribbon and other spooled items, which keeps loose ends from tangling and prevents disarray.

"Disorganization can kill creativity," David says. "When you're wrapping gifts, you want all your papers, scissors, tape and bows at your fingertips. Otherwise, what is meant to be a joy becomes a chore."

The Vertical Challenge

A magnetic wall system or peg/fabric board hung on the wall above the counter can be a decorative and functional addition to a gift-wrapping station.

David says two pairs of scissors -- one for fabric and one for paper -- are essential for any gift-wrapping station. "I also have a weighted tape dispenser outfitted with double-stick tape," she says. "That way you can secure the wrapping without any obvious tape seams."

Cubbies and containers can be affixed to a wall mounting system, which can house everything from writing utensils to tags. Specialized wrapping-paper rails use dowels, onto which rolls can be mounted above the countertop, to prevent the wrappings from becoming wrinkled, crimped and damaged due to improper storage.

Re-wrap

While gifts may get a wrapping workout during the holidays, that doesn't mean the treasure trimmings aren't used year-round, says Hannah Milman, contributing editor for Martha Stewart Living in New York City.

"Listen to your grandmother, who said, 'Save the paper!' when you're unwrapping something truly beautiful," Milman says. "Instead of just throwing wrappings and ribbons away, you can iron them out and give them a new life on a package you decorate."

Milman says the best packaging places live at home, where you keep your tools and tape. "A gift-wrapping station doesn't need to be fancy," she says. "It just needs to work." An old television armoire or hutch can be converted into a gift-wrapping station, but if space is at a premium, plastic totes for roll wrappings and ribbons can be stored in a craft closet.

Having gift-giving goodies on hand doesn't mean just investing in seasonal baubles and bows, either. "Kraft paper rolls and twine or raffia can be some of the best investments when it comes to wrappings," Milman says. "A child's drawing on a simply wrapped package, with an addition of a sprig of ivy or evergreen, can transform an ordinary gift into an extraordinary one."

Packaging Prospects

-- Giftology videos: ideas.hallmark.com/gift-wrapping-ideas/ 

-- Go to CaliforniaClosets.com, or call 1-888-336-9707, and request a free closet consultation.