Home Office Ideas For Every Kind Of Space

Creating a home office that works for you

If you sit at your desk and feel unmotivated, unproductive and just generally ‘meh’, it’s probably down to the space you’re working in. A desk that’s buried under yesterday’s to-do lists, a chair that leaves your back in pain by 11am, cables you always seem to trip over…sound familiar? A disorganised home office makes it difficult to concentrate and harder to get things done.

We know that not everyone has the space for a dedicated home office, which is why these end up as dual spaces, combined with the bedroom or the dining room. No matter where your home office is, there are always ways you can make it more practical and organised, as well as a beautiful place to work. This guide walks you through exactly how to design a home office that actually works for you, no matter where you plan to put it.

How to design your home office

Think about how you work and essentials you need

First, decide what you really need. And we mean what you really need, not an all-singing-and-dancing printer when you never really print anything out.

Particularly in smaller spaces, you’re limited to what you can include, so figure out what is important to you and what items you’re willing to invest the biggest fraction of your budget into. You might decide that an ergonomic office chair is the most important, or clever storage for items that need to be stored near to your desk. Whatever it is, planning in advance is going to save some headaches later.

Pick a space that’s practical

The space you choose could make or break how happy you are working in it, so choosing a practical area is really important. You should absolutely think about the size and shape of the space, as well as the lighting. An area with as much natural light as possible is ideal, but not always accessible.

Consider your budget

Sorry to talk serious talk, but budgets are really important. You don’t want to overspend on your space, but equally you do need to consider what is an essential to buy, whether it’s a large monitor, a laptop, a desk stand, a wireless mouse and keyboard or something else equally expensive.

We’d recommend that you make a list of everything you’d love to buy for your new home office space, and then figure out what absolutely needs to be bought, and what could be bought later or even not at all.

Create a moodboard

A moodboard can be a super handy ensign tool that helps you figure out how you want your space to look. You can include some of the materials and colours you’d love to factor in, or even start including the furniture that you like.

Check out our post collaborating with Hello Haus that has all the best tips to create a moodboard of dreams.

Consider all of your storage needs

Storage, storage, storage! Storage is absolutely essential when you’re creating a home office that is tidy, organised and practical. Without it, there would be stuff everywhere and you’d sit down at your desk a frazzled mess, unsure of where anything is.

You need to think about what storage you can incorporate, even if you’re planning to create a home office in a bedroom or dining room. Maybe some wall shelving is the way forward, and some drawer space for stationery and other bits and pieces.

If your budget is tight, local charity and discount stores are great places to find hidden gems.

The finishing touches

Your home office space needs to feel a bit like you, so once you’ve figured out the practical and organisation things, it’s time to add some personality. It may be motivational art pieces, small potted plants to add greenery to the space or a cork board to pin photos and important to-dos up. The finishing touches are what makes this space truly yours, make the space stylish and productive, but most importantly, they add that homely feel.

Home office ideas for every room

Bedroom home office ideas

A blue bedroom office for maximum productivity

Blue is the go-to colour for a home office. Restful, calming and versatile, it’s the perfect option for a home office-cum-bedroom because it encourages restorative sleep while also sharpening focus and concentration in the day. A soft powder blue on the wall behind your desk makes for a fantastic base, while warm woods or metals sustain the homely (rather than commercial) vibe. A deeper blue creates a moodier feel that can also make the space cosy.

Zoning the space with painted walls

Zoning is such an important interior design trick when your home office shares a space with your bed. It really helps to provide a visual cue so you know where the home office starts and ends. A contrasting paint colour, a painted arch, or even a strip of colour that runs behind the desk and stops short of the rest of the wall creates a subtle boundary with no partition wall required.

A pop-up desk space that can be cleared away

Not every bedroom office needs to look like an office all the time. A fold-down wall desk, a slim console table doubling as a dressing table, or even a laptop tray that lives in a drawer means the workspace can all disappear by the evening.

Living room home office ideas

An under-stairs home office

The space under a staircase is often written off as dead space but it can be so useful for all kinds of weird and wonderful uses. It’s usually the right depth and height for a slim desk and a compact chair. Because the space is naturally enclosed on three sides, it also has a built-in sense of privacy that’s hard to recreate elsewhere in an open living room.

A tucked away home office in an alcove

Chimney breast alcoves, much like the space under the stairs, are a classic and underused opportunity. Built-in or freestanding shelving above a desk turns the space into a functional work-from-home zone, and yet you’re still not taking up that much room space.

Wall lights that act as task lighting

Living rooms are usually lit for evenings, not for spreadsheets and photoshop, which is why dedicated task lighting matters more here than in most other rooms. Wall-mounted lights either side of or above the desk free up valuable surface space compared with a desk lamp, and they add a warmer, more directional light than a single overhead fitting ever will.

Dining room/kitchen home office ideas

An easy-to-tidy, minimal space

When you’re using your dining table as a home office space, it can very quickly become cluttered, leaving little or no room for eating and dining. Keep a single tray, box, or slim caddy that holds your laptop, charger, and notebook, so the whole “office” can be lifted off the table in one movement when it’s time to eat.

The dining table desk

A dining table can make for an excellent desk. It has plenty of space to offer and a flat surface, but it’s the dining chair that will probably cause you issues. You need a proper dining room setup, which includes a comfortable home office chair that provides support a wooden dining chair just can’t.

Using storage for your kitchen home office

Lots of homes have large open-plan kitchens rather than a separate dining space, so this might be your chosen position for your new home office. It makes sense, as it offers everything you need, but you still need to try and separate your pens from your cutlery drawer.

Where possible, try to keep your workspace separate from the kitchen and choose a set storage space for all your work-related paraphernalia. This could be one cupboard in the kitchen, or even a single cupboard shelf. It means all your work gear is together and easily accessible when you do sit down to work.

Style ideas for your home office

Industrial

Exposed brick, black metal desk frames, and warm filament bulbs give an industrial home office a lived-in, workshop feel. It suits open-plan spaces and lofts particularly well, and pairs surprisingly nicely with a leather-look ergonomic desk chair for a look that’s rugged without sacrificing comfort.

Modern

Clean lines, a neutral palette, and hidden storage define a modern home office, and everything that’s chosen for the space is for function as much as form. Think of a sleek desk, plants for some colour, and cable management to keep the space completely uncluttered.

Maximalist

Bold colour, pattern, and a “more is more” attitude make a maximalist office one of the most fun to design. Layer patterned wallpaper with a gallery wall, a statement rug, and accessories in contrasting colours, just try to keep your desk space a little clear.

Minimalist

A minimalist home office strips things back to the essentials: a simple desk, one or two considered accessories, and a calm, uncluttered palette. Storage becomes especially important here, since everything not in daily use needs a proper home out of sight.

Traditional

Rich wood tones, classic panelling, and timeless furniture shapes give a traditional home office a sense of permanence and craftsmanship. It’s a style that works particularly well in a dedicated study, and one where a well-upholstered ergonomic desk chair can look right at home alongside antique or antique-style pieces.

Home office design FAQs

What equipment and furniture do I need as a minimum?

At the very least, you’ll want a stable desk at the right height, a supportive ergonomic desk chair, good lighting, and reliable storage for anything you need close to hand. Everything else is a bonus.

Where is the best place to work from home?

The ‘best’ place depends on a few factors, namely the light quality and the peace. If you can design a home office in a bright space that is a bit set away from the hustle and bustle of the main living space, you’re onto a winner.

How can I keep home and work life separate when I work from home?

Zoning can really help to keep your work space separate from your home space, especially if these two are within the same room. A dedicated colour, a room divider, or simply packing your laptop away at the end of the day all signal to your brain that your work is done.