9 Small Home Office Design Ideas To Transform Your Space From Drab To FAB!

Inspire Others!

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The home has become a safe haven for many in recent times; a place to relax, craft, write, study, quarantine, and for some of us, it has even become our new workplace.

Never did we ever think that our lives would change so drastically and in such a short period of time; however, it appears we still have major milestones laying ahead of us.

As we look to the future and the likelihood of continuing to work from home as a part of our new reality, why don’t we focus on creating that gorgeous and functional space we’d love to be in?

 

 9 Best Home Office Design Ideas That Will Add Style To Your Space + Inspire You To Work

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Does your home office seem dull and uncomfortable? Do you find yourself annoyed with the environment that you’ve been “forced” to work in?

Having to work from home can be a challenge; especially when the workspace does absolutely nothing to improve your mood, inspire creativity, or boost productivity.

This, unfortunately, is the situation for most of us (whether we knew it or not), but with a few simple home office design ideas and extra organization tips, plus a few hours of dedicated time, we can turn your drab office into a space with a beautiful, functional, and modern office design.

In order to be productive, our workspaces must be completely customized to suit our needs and comfort level.

Here, I’ve compiled a list of 9 of the best home office decorating ideas that will add style to your space, plus get your creative juices flowing, and ultimately boost productivity by inspiring you to work more!

It doesn’t matter whether you have an entire room to yourself, or just a small corner to spare, these amazing home office decor ideas are bound to leave you feeling inspired.

 

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links which simply means that if you buy through any of those links, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases (at no added cost to you). See my disclosure at the bottom of the page or read it, in full, here.

 

 

 

1. Go Ham With Wallpaper

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Covering your walls with wallpaper (patterns, floral, earthy, plaid, metallic—or any design, for that matter) is a great way to sprinkle your space with personality, and add some character to your wall without taking up too much space.

This can be an alternative to paint and is a wee bit more versatile.

You can work on the beach or even in the jungle without stepping a foot outside your door. Or add some texture to your bare walls with vinyl wallpaper as seen in this photo by @wallrepublic

 

 

If you are short on space to go nuts with decor, then covering your walls with wallpaper is certainly an affordable way to go about refreshing your workspace. It just might be the facelift your room needed!

 

PRO TIP: Get a hard plastic wallpaper smoother and some really sharp blades (X-Acto knife) for trimming the edges. Guaranteed to make your life easier!

 

2. Add A Floating Shelf Or Two

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Installing a few floating shelves around the office space is a simple yet effective way to free up ground space while adding character to your walls. Their compact design provides the opportunity to decorate without taking up too much space.

And, they are pretty easy to install, too!

What you decide to do with them once installed is up to you: Whether you wish to use them for storing gadgets, books, plants (live or artificial), photos, art, memorabilia, or other accessories.

Add a touch of modern, plus expand your office space, today, by adding your own floating wooden shelves to fill those empty walls.

There are so many designs to choose from: from BAYKA floating shelves to Greenco, to Melannco, to ClosetMaid.

Don’t worry, if you aren’t that creative to go DIYing, you can find some really nice ones pre-built and ready to hang on Amazon, Wayfair, Etsy, or at any local store like HomeDepot, Ikea, Best Buy or Target (if none of these stores are located near you, I’m pretty sure you can find these products at a local hardware or furniture store).

 

PRO TIP: Floating white shelves are neutral and sleek; bringing extra attention to the decor on and around them.

Depending on your theme, black floating wall shelves, or even dark wood are just as nice! Remember, the art is in the display—keep it to a minimum, organized, and tastefully arranged!

 

3. Use Galvanized Bins/ Wire Organizers

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The use of galvanized metal storage bins is a pretty popular trend that has been dominating the interior decorating realm, and keeps growing in popularity; and you can see why it is commonly advocated by interior decorators and designers.

Installing wire shelving is another unique way to incorporate decor that is both functional (keeps your space clutter-free and organized) and beautiful.

Whether you prefer wire shelving bins, wire shelving racks, or even the adjustable wire shelving is dependent on you, your taste, and the intended purpose: Will it be used to store trash, stationery, and supplies, or just for decorative purposes, and the like?

You can keep it classic with just black wire shelves, or add a bit of flair with some paint!

 

4. Go Green With Greenery

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Breathe life into your office by adding a few live plants.

The color green is very pleasing to the eye and invokes a sense of renewal, refreshment, balance, and peace. A great way to introduce these positive qualities to your space, without having to paint your entire walls green, is through plants.

 

FUN FACT: Plants are said to lower stress levels and improve air quality; which makes them a perfect addition to a place where stress levels are bound to rise!

 

PRO TIP: When in doubt, add more plants. If you run out of horizontal space, go vertical! You can never have too many plants. Or can you?

 

5. Dress It Up With A Coat Of Paint

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There is so much life in a can of paint!

If you’re not someone who is particular about wallpaper, then opting for a good paint color to beautify your walls is the way to go.

Choosing the right color paint to dress your office walls can go a far way in transforming the look and feel of your space.

Choose shades that are exciting without being overwhelming (like blue or yellow).

Or keep it neutral, with pops of color, to keep the room feeling fresh and invigorating.

You can even go with more pastel colors if you are looking to lend a more delicate feel to your design.

Darker shades like black or dark grays are perfect for creating a moodier, more formal, and intimate atmosphere.

 

PRO TIP: When in doubt, paint it white!

 

The color you eventually decide on is dependent on you and your theme. Always remember to go with what YOU like.

Most of us don’t possess the time, money, or even the inclination to keep changing things, so it’s better to get it right (or at least very close) the first time—definitely no pressure though (wink).

 

6. Add Texture

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Chandeliers/light fixtures, accents (metallic, wood, wrought-iron), rugs, curtains/blinds (textiles), and upholstery, are great ways to add texture to your space.

 

 

Use large area rugs to add some texture to your floors, as seen in this design by Instagrammer Ansley of ansley_interiors_atlanta which shows how an insanely beautiful brown and cream rug was used to tie in the entire office decor while adding character to the hardwood floor.

Isn’t it one of the nicest rugs you’ve ever seen?

Plus! I love how well it blended with the whole theme.

If you are working with an area too small for rugs, a woven ottoman and/or upholstered love seats with a few patterned cushions may also be considered.

Perhaps, a simple vase filled with dried stems (real or fake) placed on or beside your desk, or covering your desk with a pretty fabric runner can also do well for achieving some texture.

 

7. Encourage Natural Lighting

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Your home office should reflect your style and personality, yet feel light, bright and inviting. One of the best ways to achieve this is through lighting; particularly natural lighting.

No matter the kind of work you do from home, proper lighting of your office space/ work area is key.

Natural lighting is so essential to design; it has the ability to create the perfect ambiance and is super incredible when captured in photos!

If our work includes the need for any form of visual representation (aka social media) then having a well-lit backdrop is A1.

Also, by increasing the flood of natural light into your room, you can easily create an oasis for your office plants that thrive in bright or even direct sunlight.

Opt for a cozy home office with large windows for the perfect amount of natural light.

If this is impossible to achieve, due to location (your room does not have a window—and it would be difficult to have one installed, or your office area is located at a position that gets the least amount of light), or climate/’not so sunny” weather conditions, then you can always substitute natural light with good artificial lighting by choosing beautiful light fixtures with LED lights that give the same effect.

 

8. Make A Statement With Art

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Could this really be a list of amazing home office design ideas without making mention of art?

Art is probably one of the easiest ways to make a statement.

Choose pieces of art that inspire you, are attractive, relatable, highlight your personality, or tells a story; or a combination.

Your office is your canvas and art is your voice; get as creative as you want.

 

PRO TIP:  You don’t have to subject yourself to hanging your artwork on the walls. Instead, try leaning them against the walls for a more laid-back effect.

 

9. Cozy Things Up

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Comfort is always the number one goal in design, and the amount of cozy home office design ideas available all over the internet is a testament.

Undoubtedly, cozy space has its perks. And it’s no wonder we go to great lengths to achieve it.

Here are a few simple and easy ways you can add coziness to your space without going overboard (we wouldn’t want you to fall asleep at your desk after all!).

Home office must-haves:

• • Computer ✓

• • Telephone ✓

• • Small office desk ✓

• • Sturdy chair (rattan, wicker, and cane are all making a comeback!) ✓

• • Cozy throws ✓

• • Accent cushions ✓

• • Accents (wall hanging, light fixtures) ✓

• • Plush/textured area rugs ✓

 

Choose furniture and accessories that pull all the elements of your decor together nicely and cozy up your workspace.

Go for office desks and chairs that are not only sturdy but comfortable—as no one wants to work around a desk for hours that is plain uncomfortable, and just horrible for your overall health.

Your neck, feet, and back will love you for it.

Accent pieces are also a great touch to any space. They are stylish, colorful, chic, and full of character—the perfect statement pieces.

Bold accent chairs; paired with matching cushions and throws can enhance your room’s style and provide maximum comfort when lounging!

If you’ve ever walked on tiles or hardwood floors barefooted, then you must at least understand why investing in a quality area rug is more than a grand idea.

An area rug is not only perfect for protecting your feet, but it also protects your flooring from scratches caused by office furniture, or possible skid marks from the swivel chair that we all like to roll around the room in.

You don’t have to splurge big bucks on expensive furniture and accessories to be comfortable.

Choosing the right decor should always be about functionality, preference, and balance!

 

PRO TIP: Choose furniture and accessories that are durable (won’t need to be replaced often) and won’t cost you an arm and a leg when it’s time to switch them out.

Parting Words

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There you have it, 9 simple yet innovative office solutions to inspire your next renovation.

Designing or remodeling your office space, especially when you have no idea what you’re doing, can be tedious and overwhelming as heck.

Ask me, I know!

But! It is also so much fun once you really get into it…and so fulfilling once every bits and piece are in place and you can just look at your work and say, “I did that!”

At the end of the day, not only will you have a beautifully organized and dedicated place to focus on work, but once your mind is at peace and you’re super comfortable you can get so much more done with less hassle.

While a slightly clutter-free area on your kitchen counter, or a laptop in bed (not the best option, by the way!) or on your dining room counter “technically” counts as a workspace, having a corner office or a whole room (with doors you can shut) is better for you in terms of creating a devoted area for work—without the distractions—and helping you to clearly define when it’s work time versus personal time.

We hope these home office decorating ideas were what you needed to get your creative juices flowing, or at least pointed you in the right direction.

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Which ones made you say, “Yes, that’s a great idea!” or “I can do that!”

Let me know in the comments below!

 

9 Small Home Office Design Ideas To Transform Your Space From Drab To Fab!

Inspire Others!