Whether you have a dedicated office or are working at a desk from your bedroom, it’s important to create a work-from-home setup that is functional, beautiful, and doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. Here are some of our favorite home office ideas for creating an inspiring space where you can sit down, roll up your sleeves, and get it all done.
Create a mini library.
Not every space is blessed with beautiful built-ins, but here’s the good news: you can make your own! Try installing floating shelves above your desk or flanking your workspace with slim, build-it-yourself bookshelves. It’s a great way to add storage in your home office without taking up any valuable floor space, and allows for extra room to show off your favorite books, artwork, and decor.
Have fun with the walls.
Corporate workplaces may be known for their drab decor, but that doesn’t mean your work-from-home setup should feel that way. Paint a single wall or the entire room in a hue that makes you smile, put up peel-and-stick or permanent wallpaper, hang up statement-making artwork, or try a DIY shiplap wall if you’re craving a project. A pretty view will go a long way in boosting your mood—and will make a beautiful backdrop for all those Zoom calls.
Warm up with a rug.
A few more things we don’t love about offices: boring, low-pile carpeting and flooring that makes the space feel sterile and cold. So, one of our favorite home office ideas is to roll out a rug to bring some of your own personality into what tends to be a more utilitarian space. A smaller rug (think around 4’ x 6’) under your desk will help define your workspace within a larger room, but we also love layering in faux cowhides and sheepskins for extra coziness. A rug will also help protect your floors from any scuffing that might come from moving around in your desk chair.
Cozy up.
It’s your home, so be sure to make your office as cozy and comfortable as your heart desires. Drape a blanket across your chair for when the air gets chilly, prop up a pretty pillow behind your back for comfort and back support, or place a pouf under your desk for a little footrest.
Enliven with plants.
Nothing brings life to a space like plants (literally!), and a little greenery can go a long way in creating a fresh, calming atmosphere in your home office. Try a tall tree in a vacant corner, a medium-sized potted plant to tuck right up next to your desk, or something small to perch on the corner of your workspace. Worried about remembering to water it? Set a recurring event in your work calendar for an easy reminder.
Get organized.
File folders, pencil cups, and trays are an essential part of home office organization, but we love the idea of taking it a step further and taking it to the walls. Pinboards, hanging units, and wall calendars are the perfect way to free up space if you have a tiny desk. Another of our favorite home office ideas is to cover a cork board with a fun patterned fabric—check out this DIY here.
Let there be light.
Yes, adequate lighting is essential for looking your best on work-from-home video calls. But it also goes a long way in boosting your mood—and therefore productivity. Try positioning your desk near natural light, but if that’s not possible, make sure you bring in as many other sources of light as you can. Think a lamp or task lighting for your desk, a floor lamp for a dark corner, or a simple chandelier or flush mount for extra light from above.
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Top image features our Moroccan Diamond Rug in multi. Photo by @wanderanddwell.
