65 Home Office Ideas to Bring Style and Function to Any Layout
Modern decor choices, furniture and accessories for every work-from-home space.
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Carving out a dedicated spot to work at home is a good way to boost productivity and get your creative juices flowing, whether you have the luxury of an entire room complete with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves or just a small nook with enough space for a laptop, a desk chair and a few essential office supplies. Whatever it is, you can make it look good with this collection of stylish home office ideas that are chock-full of smart decorating choices.
To start, consider paint — certain colors can completely change the look and feel of a home office. You can try a trendy paint color like mint green, which can add a jolt of personality to built-in cabinets. Or, paint the entire room in a moody hue to bring on the drama. Or weave a dose of luxury into your layout with removable wallpaper — you can even find peel-and-stick options like wall murals! From there, adding elements like sleek lighting, artwork and easy indoor houseplants can make all the difference. And if you're up for a good DIY, upcycled furniture is a creative way to express your personal style.
Browse through these ideas to get one step closer to having the home office you've always wanted (without blowing your entire paycheck).
Install Mint Green Cabinets
Cabinets in an unexpected color can work wonders in a home office space, which can be designed to help boost creativity. Here, designer Susan Wintersteen of Savvy Interiors went with a cool mint green shade that serves as the perfect match for the room's crisp white walls and blonde wood flooring.
Wallpaper an Office Nook
For this delightful office nook, designer Michelle Woolley Sauter of One Coast Design relied on a bold mural wallpaper for visual appeal. "To add a touch of charm, we adorned the walls with a breathtaking mural wallpaper inspired by the vibrant culture of Charleston," Woolley Sauter says. "It's visually stunning and creates a serene and studious atmosphere perfect for learning and concentrating, with a touch of history."
Include Non-Office Elements
There's no reason why your home office shouldn't reflect your personal interests. "When you incorporate art, objects, photos and even music into your office, it helps you stay connected to who you are and feel inspired throughout the day," says designer Tiffani Baumgart.
Show Off Your Love of Travel
Yes, your office should be arranged to tackle your to-do list, but there's room to have a little fun too. The best place to start is with art that speaks to your taste. "When designing home offices, they are often part of a living space, offering flexibility for work and play," says Lathem Gordon of GordonDunning. "We wanted the client to be able to daydream a little while working, so we included a gallery wall of maps from places they had traveled."
Layer Window Treatments
A tiny, narrow office doesn't have to skimp on style. The easiest decorating choice you can make in this type of layout? Luxe-looking window treatments! "We dressed the windows with multiple layers of window treatments to allow the client to shade her eyes and monitor as the sun moves through this sunny space which has windows on three sides," says designer Caroline Kopp.
Use a Secretary Desk
If you're short on space and can't dedicate an entire room to a formal office setup, consider a secretary desk, which designer Maren Baker says can be placed right in a bedroom. "This can be closed off when not in use to go back to the calm of a primary suite," Baker says. "We hid the wireless printer in the cabinets beyond as it didn't need to be front and center."
Pick a Moody Paint Color
If your idea of the perfect office is cozy and moody, then a dark paint color is for you. Take a cue from Hattie Collins of Hattie Spark Interiors, who let Farrow & Ball's De Nimes dominate this office. "The blue really envelops you when you're in the room, and the custom goldenrod velvet sofa really shines against the blue shade,"
Collins says. "It's a space to retreat and get a little work done, or relax, and have a glass of wine at the end of the day."
Hang Art Over a Bookshelf
You might only think of displaying framed art on top of your bookshelves to add personality to your home office. However, installing a statement piece over your bookshelf is a go-to interior design trick that's worth trying. Along with being full of visual appeal, it's a simple way to free up space on shelves for things like books and office essentials.
Don't Overlook Seating
Believe it or not, the right seating can change the look and feel of an office space. "You don't have to sacrifice style when it comes to a desk chair," says Rosanna Bassford of Eggshell Home. "This Restoration Hardware swivel chair keeps easy company with the tufted leather arm chair yet is comfortable enough for long days working from home."
RELATED: Best Desk Organization Ideas to Maintain Your Minimalist Aesthetic
Use a Dining Table as a Desk
Weaving in furniture that is typically reserved for living spaces can add character to a home office layout. This spacious, picture-perfect setup benefits from a large wooden table paired with a set of acrylic chairs for a touch of glam.
Add a Hutch for Storage
Secure a hutch to the top of your desk, whether the shelves are used for storing supplies or displaying a chic collection of home decor. In this neutral space, designed by Hearth Homes Interiors, the warm wood desk complements the white walls and paneled ceiling.
Turn a Basement Into an Office Space
With white walls and a dark gray open beam ceiling, this basement office has an industrial feel. Move your desk into the basement, and then add an area rug, coffee table and a set of armchairs to craft a small seating area.
Create a Monochromatic Moment
Find a moody shade and use it on walls, trim and the ceiling like interior designer Mary Beth Christopher of MBC Interior Design does here. Striking gold lighting fixtures serve as the perfect contrast.
Bring in Pops of Color
With white cabinets and countertops on each wall, this spacious home office is brought to life with colorful accents — a vibrant floral wallpaper, bright pink area rugs and green desk chairs.
Make a Statement with Rugs
This sophisticated office space, designed by Sarah Stacey, has calming green walls and dark wood tones. The area rug's playful pattern and intriguing color scheme warms up the room.
DIY a Gallery Wall
Here's another example of an area rug being the defining feature of a home office, but this time with additional pops of color. From the pink office chair and orange drawers to the lively gallery wall, this home office doesn't shy away from bright hues.
Build a Hidden Coffee Bar
You won't have to walk to the kitchen to get your hands on a fresh cup of coffee if you set up a machine right in your home office. Put all of your essentials on a shelf, which can be easily concealed when the cabinet is closed.
RELATED: DIY Coffee Bar Ideas to Bring Cafe Charm Into Your Home
Create an Accent Wall
Outfitting an entire room with patterned wallpaper isn't for everyone, so sticking to just one wall can make just as much of an impact. Complete the look with a stylish accent table, daybed and floor lamp.
Draw a Chalkboard Calendar
Pick up some chalkboard paint and turn your monthly schedule into a chic accent wall. You may want to use small strips of wood to form straight lines, plus wooden letters to mark each day of the week.
Design a Multipurpose Space
If you have a limited amount of square footage, a multipurpose layout might be for you. Simply combine your work area with your mudroom-pantry setup to make the most of your space.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
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