9 Essential Home Office Design Tips

Are you planning to add a home office to your home? Whether your home office design will be located in an annex, a small bedroom, or just the corner of a room, there are a few essentials you will want to consider when creating a productive workspace at home.

If you spend the full work week there or even just a few hours, it’s important that your home office be a comfortable and inviting place to spend time and to get your work done efficiently.

Read on for our 9 essential tips for creating a beautiful and practical home office design:

1. Location Is Key

Home offices come in many different shapes and sizes. It can be in a separate room, a quiet corner, or even in your kitchen. The key to selecting the right place for your home office is to think about where and when you do your work.

If you are a busy mom, a kitchen desk area may be the ideal place for your central command post. However, if you’re a professional, you’ll want to select a space that’s away from the daily flow and distractions of your household.

2. Allow Enough Space

Make sure you allow enough space to work comfortably. Ask yourself if you will be able to move easily from side to side, stand up and sit back from your desk. While this may seem like a no-brainer, it’s easy to underestimate how much space you need.

To avoid this, use the same key measurements professional designers use to lay out a workstation – allow at least 60” (150cm) in width and 84” (210cm) in depth.

Need more inspiration?

• Home Office Ideas - Make it Work

3. Selecting a Desk and Chair

Choosing the right desk and chair for your home office is essential. Select a desk that is wide enough for your computer and anything else necessary to do your work. This could be an in-tray, reference materials, or space to take notes. Ideally, your desk should 48” (120cm) wide minimum.

However, if all you ever need is a laptop you can get away with less. Most people find 60” (150cm) wide or larger to be the most comfortable. While an adjustable-height desk is ideal it’s not always practical in a home office setting.

Choose a desk that is not too high – 28”-30” (70-75cm) is an acceptable range. Invest in a good-quality chair that is comfortable and adjustable if possible.

Your neck and back will thank you.

4. Storage and Shelving

Storage is often overlooked when designing a home office and can really affect your productivity. Make sure to include enough shelving, filing cabinets or cupboards for your storage needs. Consider your workflow – what comes in, where will it stay while being worked on, and where does it go when complete?

Place your inbox on or next to your desk. Keep your current work within arm’s reach. Locate your filing system nearby. Don’t forget reference materials – if you use manuals, catalogs, or reference books, locate a shelf near your desk to keep them close at hand.

"One essential tip I always recommend for a home office is maintaining a clutter-free desk. Believe it or not, a clean desk does more than just make your workspace look good; it helps clear your mind, too. A clutter-free environment enhances your focus and allows you to zero in on your tasks without the distractions of stray papers, sticky notes, or tangled cables.

To accomplish this, I suggest utilizing wall organization solutions like shelves, pegboards, or pin boards. They not only help keep your desk clear but also keep essential items within arm's reach. It's a smart way to maximize your workspace without sacrificing functionality."

Zakhar Ivanisov, Soul & Lane

5. A Place to Meet

Will you have clients or customers visit during the day? If you have room to have a small meeting area, that is ideal.

If not, plan for some additional seating in your home office design to allow for sit-down meetings. This can be as simple as 1-2 comfortable chairs, which are easy to pull up to your desk.

6. Natural Light and View

Good lighting is critical for any home office space. Choose a location with some natural light and a view if possible. Position your desk to face the windows or in a location where your computer screen will not be affected.

Translucent window shades or blinds can help reduce any glare without darkening your room. You can enhance natural light by including a mirror and by keeping most of your walls a light color.

An overhead ceiling light will provide good general lighting. A pair of open-top floor lamps placed in the corners of your room will do the same. Include a desk light to provide shadow-free task lighting and extra light in the evenings. Add some full spectrum daylight bulbs in your light fixtures for an extra boost.

No view? Position your desk to face the door instead or place a pleasing piece of artwork or an inspirational pinboard above your desk. Either, will give your eyes a rest and something to focus on when you look up from your work.

7. Tame Your Technology

Nothing makes a home office look or feel more cluttered than wires hanging from your desk and running everywhere. Hide your desk cords and take control of your technology with these simple tips:

• Add a wireless router – you’ll reduce your wires by half
• Invest in both a wireless printer and a wireless mouse
• Add a grommet in your desktop to lead any wires from your desk down below
• Attach any visible wires to the underside of your desk or down along a desk leg
• Gather loose wires along the floor together with a simple cord tamer

8. Accessorize and Personalize

Don’t sacrifice on style! The great part about working from home is that YOU can decide how you want your home office to look and feel. Match your home office with the design and style of your home.

Think about what inspires you. It could be a favorite piece of artwork, a collection of objects, or an invigorating paint color. Include these personal touches when you plan your home office design. It will brighten up your day and make you feel… at home.

9. Make a Floor Plan

An office floor plan is an excellent tool to organize your thoughts and to make sure you’ve covered all your bases. You can create a floor plan easily online with the RoomSketcher App.

Create furniture layouts and floor plans. Try different pieces of furniture and determine which location in your home will work best. Design a complete home office design before you start shopping.

When you’re ready for more powerful 3D features and to generate high-quality 2D and 3D Floor Plans, simply upgrade – it’s that easy!

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Add Green

Breathe some life into your space, so you'll want to stay longer. "I try to ensure a balanced home office that is practical, ergonomic, comfortable, and clean—if these elements aren't in place I know I'll end up working at the kitchen table," Niki Brantmark, founder of My Scandinavian Home says. "A lovely plant is said to help keep you feeling calm and clean the air—plus it looks pretty too. I like either a snake plant or a ZZ plant. Both look lovely, are good for cleaning the air, and are low maintenance!"

Get Artsy

Decorate with images that speak to you. "Fill your office with vibrant art to energize your space and make you feel motivated," Dabito, Founder & Creative Director at Old Brand New says. "I create my own artwork and have it framed by Simply Framed, or I shop from Chairish and Society6." Dabito is happy to share his genius DIY instructions for his multi-purpose wall shelf/desk. (They're surprisingly easy to follow, phew!) But if you don't want to spend your Saturday spray-painting and building shelves, this wall unit from Ikea is a similarly chic option that can be up and ready fast.

Find the Rug

Ground your space with a colorful area rug—for visual interest and soothing sound-absorption. "The multi-colored rug brings in other colors that accent the peach and green nicely, too," Joy Cho, Founder & Creative Director of Oh Joy!. "But you could also do a neutral gray rug with this color combo. Keep the furniture simple and clean to make it more sleek, and then add in some green foliage to give the room some texture!"

Practice Hygge

Make it welcoming—but not too cozy that all you want to do is nap. "Neutral colors on your walls and floor, paired with natural wood, plants and some kind of textile, like blankets, throw pillows, rugs, or a yarn wall hanging, create a simple yet cozy working space," Caitlin & Manda, Co-founders of The Merrythought says.

Hang a Gallery Wall

It's your space—crowd it with what you love. "Style a gallery wall against a neutral wall. You can arrange them on the floor first, moving the prints around until you achieve the harmonious look that you want," Geraldine Tan, Founder & Editor of Little Big Bell says. "Use removable wall strips to hold your prints up. This allows for the flexibility of changing the look of the wall."

If you want to achieve a similar look, we love Minted for their huge, affordable collection of prints. They also provide a free service so that you can text a picture of your wall to their stylists, and they'll put together a recommendation of art pairings for you. Matting and frames are a way to make art prints look more expensive and styled, but can be a pricey investment. Don't rule out Michaels—they do custom framing in the store!

Let Light in

Stay connected to the great outdoors. "Natural light makes a space feel bigger—which is always a plus in a small space," Hayley Francis, founder and blogger at Neon Doves says. "For my home office, I actually used fogged window film on all the windows so I could always have the blinds up. This allows enough light to feed the plants in the room and keep them, as well as myself, lively! And when you feel alive, you're always more efficient."

If you, like Hayley, have an office that also functions as a dressing room/walk-in closet, affix a non-adhesive frosted film to windows, to allow sunlight into your space while maintaining privacy.

Work in Color

Choose colors that speak to you—not what's trendy. "I found this Stone Blue color by Farrow & Ball provided the perfect background for a productive day's work," Emily Murray, founder and editor at The Pink House says. "Having a bit of fun with the filing cabinets in a non-conventional turquoise meant that even the more functional elements of the room looked attractive."

Optimize Your Space

Organization is key—use every trick in the book. Nobody works well in a messy home office. "Don't waste an ounce of space by tucking printers, filing, etc. into corners and in drawers," Carly Callahan, designer at Homepolish and founder of Callahan Interiors says. "Use all your vertical space, too, by putting cabinets up to the ceiling with varying types of storage and a wall hanging pin board to help organize supplies that might otherwise end up shoved in a drawer!"

Make it Moody

If you want your home office to feel like a cozy library, opt for dark paint and vintage accents. Built-in bookcases can evoke a more lived-in appearance (as well as provide more storage). Swap out the traditional floor or desk lamps for old-fashioned sconces to create a rich, moody environment.

Keep it Minimal

Not everyone needs two large monitors, a printer, and a file cabinet to do their work. If you prefer a more minimal interior design style—and don't need that many physical materials to get your job done—then allow your home office to reflect that. Use a simple, yet well-crafted, table as your desk and pair it with a similarly streamlined chair to seamlessly integrate your home office area into your existing home design.

Use Up Vertical Space

In smaller spaces—when you don't have a separate room to dedicate to a home office—utilizing vertical space is crucial. Instead of a large, bulky floor desk, look for desk and storage units that can be installed to your walls. Building upwards will create more visual space—even if your "home office" is actually just an unused corner of your kitchen or dining room.

Invest in a Stylish Chair

As is the case in any room of the home, a good chair can really define a space. While ergonomics may be the most important factor for some, a beautiful, well-designed chair that fits your style can make your home office really feel like yours. Of course, you shouldn't ignore the importance of comfort, either.

Make the Most of a Nook

If you're short on space, look to those unused, awkward corners of your home. With a little imagination, they could become the perfect spots to settle in and get some work done. If all you really need is a desk and a chair, you can transform almost any nook into a makeshift home office. Plus, with minimal space to work with, you may even be able to avoid clutter from building up in your workspace.

Go Maximalist

Just because most commercial office spaces tend to be toned down in both color and personality, that doesn't mean your home office has to be. Use the opportunity to play around with fun colors and pattern mixing, making your workspace as bold as you are. After all, environment can have an impact on your overall mood and productivity—so infusing your space with creativity could, in turn, help get your creative juices flowing.

Go All Out With Vintage

Not into the modern minimalism and clean lines associated with many of today's office spaces? Swing hard in the other direction with a space that's entirely outfitted in unique antique pieces. From your desk and chair to the frames on the wall, filling your workspace with vintage and antique pieces can add a lot of charm and create the feeling of a slower-paced lifestyle. (Just one note: A large computer monitor probably won't fit in with this set up.)

Angle Your Desk

If space allows, pulling your desk away from the wall is a great way to give your workspace some more breathing room. To break up the space in an even more unique and visually interesting way, try angling the desk in front of one of the corners of the room.

Dress it Up With Wallpaper

You don't need a bunch of decor items to jazz up a home office. Some statement-making wallpaper can do the brunt of the work. If you don't have the furnishings yet, start with a wallpaper print you love and allow that to dictate the color scheme and style for the rest of the room.

Add a Lounge Area

Everyone needs breaks in the work day. Adding a secondary seating area in your home office—whether that's a loveseat or a cozy armchair—is a great way to encourage yourself step away from your desk every now and then to recharge and rest.

Pick a Focus Color

One quick way to make your home office design look cohesive and intentional is to pick a dominant color to carry throughout the room. In the example above, a soft, sage green is repeated in the desk and storage cabinets—and even some of the plants. It's a good idea to choose a color that makes you feel happy and productive.

Simplify Your Desk

If you aren't someone who needs a whole lot of storage space in or around your work area, then it may be best to choose a hyper-simple floating desk that takes up very little visual or physical space. Then, you'll have more room to decorate around your desk with artwork and cozy touches (like the adorable lamp featured in the example above).