MAKE ROOM
HOME OFFICE MAKEOVER
Interior designer and entrepreneur Komal Sheth shares tips for transforming your home office. BY COURTNEY RUNN
Working from the couch might have its perks, but a
38 | AUSTIN WOMAN | MAY 2020
KOMAL SHETH’S FIVE TIPS FOR DESIGNING YOUR HOME OFFICE 1. “ The first thing is to understand what the function of the space will be and what aesthetic will allow you to use the space to its fullest potential.” 2. “ Look for inspiration in things such as magazines, social media or websites [to] spark some creativity. Think about the best layout for the office: where do you want your desk, do you want a seating area, etc.” 3. “ After that, it’s time to start getting some of your thoughts out of the head and onto paper. According to feng shui, a system of laws considered to govern spatial arrangement and orientation in relation to the flow of energy, you should place your desk so that you are sitting in the ‘power position.’ This is the furthest spot from the entrance of the room. I consult feng shui quite often when designing spaces because I believe that a strong backbone for an office requires a good flow of energy in order to boost productivity.” 4. “ Another tip is to choose the right colors. Incorporating color in your office can inspire you and create a welcoming environment for anyone who enters as well.” 5. “ Lastly, natural lighting is important. Artificial light can be stifling and hinder creative or analytical thinking, so remember to try and have as many windows as possible and allow the sun to do what it does best and light up your space.”
Photo courtesy of Emily Boone Photography.
few days and a backache later, an actual desk is tempting. Whether you have a room in your house dedicated to office space or your kitchen table doubles as a desk, you can transform your work-from-home setup into a productive space you’ll be happy to see every day. Local interior designer Komal Sheth creates high-end commercial and residential spaces, including a variety of modern home offices. Her own office essentials include lots of natural light, comfortable seating and bright colors. “I need a clutter-free space, so I am able to focus without any distractions,” Sheth says. “A space that has a lot of natural light has proven to be a very effective method to increase productivity, and greenery keeps the office fresh and increases my focus. A space which maximizes natural light through large windows makes people feel happier and healthier than dark spaces with artificial light.” Sheth founded her design firm, Spaces Designed, in 2005 and over the past 15 years, she’s taken on a wide variety of projects throughout Austin. While any business presents challenges, Sheth says she never loses “sight of the fact [she’s] providing a service.” With a client-first mindset, she’s able to transform spaces into true homes. “As a social entrepreneur and designer, I am fueled by the conviction that entrepreneurship and design can be a vehicle for social change,” she says. “I never feel like I'm going to work. It doesn't feel like a burden because I'm doing exactly what I want to do, and I have a passion for it. Starting my own business has been empowering, challenging and exciting all rolled into one [package]. Once I got through all the difficulties, I really grew into my own skin and believed in myself.”
