Get your home office on point with these 28 simple tips
If there has to be an issue with working from home, it’s that many domestic interiors simply aren’t set up for office work. And so we move from the sofa, to the dining room, to the bedroom on an endless quest: just where can we settle down to concentrate?
To stay productive and comfortable when working from home, it’s all about making a dedicated space that enhances how you work. And if you’re stuck for inspiration, we’ve got plenty.
Whether you’re creating a home office for the first time or want to optimise your current setup, here are 28 practical and stylish home office ideas that will transform the way you work…
1. Statement wallpaper sets the scene
Personalising your home office will go a long way towards making it feel like a calming space to be. And one way to make it feel uniquely you is to add statement wallpaper.
It could line the back of your desk space to give it a bold, invigorating look; or you could use it across more of your room to mark where your home office ends and the rest of your room begins.
This is one home office idea that will make your space anything but humdrum.
2. Build in tech solutions
We all want our desks to look great but you should never overlook the fact that they’re practical spaces too.
When designing your workspace, make sure to add room for things like charging docks, power points and USB ports so you don’t have to make the undignified scramble under the desk to plug things in.
3. Lighting is the key
Nothing beats natural light when it comes to making a comfortable working environment.
We’d always recommend setting up your home office in a room with a good amount of sun, then choosing a spot where you can avoid the worst glare.
As for your electrical lighting, a good desk lamp is always a worthwhile purchase.
But if you want to get extra fancy, why not design your home office with integrated lighting to create the mood you want.
4. Make use of every inch with built-in storage
If you want your home office space to be ultra-convenient and stylish, this home office idea is the one for you.
Fitted storage creates a bespoke solution that will fit every contour of the available space and is perfect for when you’re reclaiming an awkward nook in your home to become a home office.
Not even sloping eaves can stop you from having the home office of your dreams. Fitted furniture fits into spaces seamlessly to give you all the storage you need for filing, stationary and tech.
5. Choose comfortable seating
When you’re sitting for long periods, a good chair is essential.
Luckily, you’ll find no shortage of seating that’s as stylish as it is comfortable.
It can be a fantastic extra accent to your desk setup, especially when it’s finished in a unique fabric or texture.
Just make sure it gives you the support you need for an entire day of work.
6. Select a colourway to suit your style
Here’s where you’ve really got to think about your personal preferences and how you prefer to work.
Some people love to be in a room full of calm neutrals to help them focus, whereas others love deep, moody hues to cocoon themselves in.
If you’re in a creative profession, you might even want super vivid colours to flex your creative muscles.
There’s plenty to choose from so make sure to stay true to your style.
7. Save space with a cloffice
Don’t have the room to spare for a dedicated home office?
No problem.
A cloffice is a compact and stylish option that you can build into a closet or fitted wardrobe so it doesn’t take up any extra floor space.
Not only do they look good, blending seamlessly into your home, but you can also design them with doors to hide your office space away when your work is done.
8. Create a display with open shelving
Offices don’t have to be lifeless, especially when you’re working from home!
Shelving is an opportunity to make your space feel one-of-a-kind, giving you a place to showcase all of those carefully curated accent pieces and sentimental items.
As well as adding extra storage, shelving makes a striking room feature all on its own.
Floating shelving, bookcases and asymmetrical designs are a great way to give your office space maximum visual appeal.
9. Calming minimalist spaces
Clear space, clear mind.
If you need help concentrating, a minimalist space will let you do just that.
With its less-is-more philosophy, a minimalist home office space removes all visual distractions so you can do your best work without the clutter of paperwork and stationary stressing you out.
10. Bring life into your office
Surrounded by so much technology, our home offices sometimes run the risk of feeling a little artificial and sterile.
Soften their look with plenty of plants to inject some life into the space.
Or, if you have pets, you can even make a space for them to curl up beside you for some companionship through your 9-5.
Now that’s one home office idea we can all get behind!
11. Create a twin desk space
Table for two? If both you and your partner work from home, a dual desking setup means you don’t have to give up two rooms to act as makeshift offices.
A bespoke 2-person home office will offer a much more efficient use of your space but is also a great way to enjoy each other’s company while you work.
It’s not just convenient for couples, either. When the kids have homework, it’s great for keeping an eye on them while you work to make sure they stay engaged.
12. Pinboards add personality
Small reminders of your personal life are wonderful for bringing a casual vibe to your office space.
Try a pinboard to make a creative centrepiece to your desk area and customise it however you like, with artwork, photos, to-do lists and more.
13. Multipurpose spaces are the new trend
These days, our rooms have to do more than serve one purpose.
This is the age of the multipurpose space. It’s okay if you don’t have a whole room for your home office - there are plenty of ways to blend them into guest rooms, sitting rooms, conservatories and more.
Use your space smarter and embrace the art of broken plan living. With partitions and loosely sub-divided zones in larger interiors, you can create the effect of a separate home office without ever having to remodel your home.
14. Wood finishes add a natural touch
Natural finishes and textures engage our senses in a positive way and even just a smattering in your office design can make it feel that bit more cosy.
Wood finishes bring some of the outdoors indoors, drawing from nature’s source to create an interior that invites a relaxing ambience.
15. Loft spaces are full of potential
The sloping ceilings of loft spaces can often make them feel unusable but these interiors are prime real estate for your new home office!
With the right fitted furniture, they suddenly transform into cosy and productive places where there’s ample storage for all of your work equipment.
And as your loft is out of the way of your main living spaces, they also make for a quiet place to work without interruption.
16. Create interest with display cabinets
If you’ve won lots of awards in your personal or professional life, one home office idea you won’t want to miss is adding display cabinets.
You can integrate dramatic downlighting to give them extra emphasis in your overall design and - as an extra bonus - they’ll keep all of your precious items dust-free at the same time.
17. Consider a smart speaker
Multitask with ease using a virtual assistant.
Smart speakers can be the hidden hero in your work-from-home setup because they can help you keep on top of calendar and meeting reminders without you having to lift a finger.
From making calls to checking the weather before you leave the house, or just playing music as you work, smart speakers are a favourite of tech connoisseurs and can be a convenient addition to your day-to-day routine.
18. Add practical window dressings
Styling up your window space is a must in any room, but in a home office, you might find that you need a layered solution to achieve the light levels you need.
When it’s too bright for zoom calls or you’re experiencing a lot of screen glare, having a combination of blinds and curtains will let you fine-tune the atmosphere of your space without the faff of moving from room to room to get comfortable.
19. Consider a sit-stand desk
Human beings aren’t designed to sit for long periods - that’s a fact. And with our increasingly sedentary lifestyle thanks to TV, games and the internet, many of us run the risk of developing long-term health problems as a result. But there is a way forward…
In research published by The British Medical Journal, standing desks appear to have a positive impact on musculoskeletal conditions, occupational fatigue and mental health. By encouraging you to move your body and change position, it can help keep you engaged, motivated and energised throughout the day.
A sit-stand desk or adjustable desk lets you take control over how long you sit, and works with virtually any height individual. They can be a tad expensive but there’s no better investment than your own health.
20. Tidy your cables
This practical little home office idea will serve you well. When you’ve got lots of electronics on your desk space, cable tidy solutions minimise the absolutely maddening process of having to untangle cords as you arrange equipment.
Bring glorious order to your workspace with desk wire holes, cable management trays and fixing clips.
And if you don’t want it to have too much of an ‘officey’ feel, you’ll find that a lot of higher end cable management products are designed with aesthetics in mind too.
21. Organise your stationery
Who says that you have to settle for a boring plastic pencil holder?
There are plenty of fun and creative ways to organise your stationary, as well as endless DIY options if you want to put your own spin on your office setup.
But if you’re on the hunt for a sophisticated executive solution, you’ll find everything from engraved wood shelving, minimalist bamboo stationary trays and hand-painted ceramic pots to give your desk a high-end aesthetic.
22. Use corners to their best effect
If a corner of your room is all you have to work with, it’s not the end of the world. Corner spaces are brimming with potential.
Obviously, you’ll need to start with a corner desk that’s the right size, but it’s also a good idea to add shelving to take advantage of any vertical space and maximise your storage.
To get the best fit, where not a scrap of space is wasted, it’s worth looking at office fitted furniture to optimise your design.
23. Think about your background
Don’t forget that you’re not the only one who’s going to see your home office! It’ll be on show in every online meeting.
And it’s at times like this that you suddenly remember all of those odd jobs you never got around to fixing. Peeling wallpaper, flaking paint, falling shelves… they can all make your office feel somewhat unkempt.
Taking the time to spruce up your background avoids any embarrassing interior decor fails and will let you go into team meetings with confidence.
24. Set reminders to keep active
When you’re working long hours at a desk, trying to get that project over the finish line, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself.
Set yourself reminders to take regular breaks and step away from your PC.
By moving around more and staying hydrated, you’ll find your work is all the better for it.
25. Repurpose an alcove
Traditionally, alcoves have been a much-maligned space in the home because of how hard they are to style.
But since the advent of home offices, they’ve proven just how versatile they can be.
Whether your alcove is in a lounge, dining room or anywhere else, they make great compact offices that finally tie this once awkward space into the rest of your home.
26. Inspire yourself with art
Whether it’s paintings, prints or a sculpture, few things can grab our imagination quite like art. And so if you want to make your home office a space for deep contemplation, it never hurts to add some choice objet d'art to get you in the reflective mood.
They make fantastic centrepieces and let you put your own unique stamp on your home office design.
27. Rethink under-stair spaces
Alcoves aren’t the only place for offices, though.
If you’ve got a large under stair space that could be doing more for your home, why not consider converting it into a home office?
Superbly practical in their design, an under-stair office provides a central point for the whole family to work.
28. Noise cancelling headphones
There can be a lot of distractions when working from home, whether it’s coming from inside or outside.
When you need to block out as much sound as possible, noise cancelling headphones are there to clear your mind and help you stay productive. (And - just saying - they’re also great if you don’t want to hear other people’s music. You’re welcome.)
Need more home office ideas?
Take a look at our collection at Sharps to discover designs that could transform your working week. Everything we make is tailor-made just for you, so whatever space you need to revamp, we customise even the finest details to meet your needs.
Book a Free, no obligation Design Visit today and let us help you imagine a whole new home working experience.
