10 Inspiring Home Office Ideas
Design a home office to perfectly match your needs and make working from home even more of a pleasure
Working from home has considerable upsides, but with all the domestic distractions and comforts so accessible, maintaining a work-life balance can be a challenge.
In an ideal world, a home office would be an oasis of Zen in a spacious, uncluttered environment. A space that promotes focus while at the same time stimulating creativity. Be inspired by these dreamy workspaces that have managed to achieve that balance, and maybe you can even steal some styling for your own space.
In an ideal world, a home office would be an oasis of Zen in a spacious, uncluttered environment. A space that promotes focus while at the same time stimulating creativity. Be inspired by these dreamy workspaces that have managed to achieve that balance, and maybe you can even steal some styling for your own space.
Embrace the outdoors
Few outlooks are more calming for the mind than greenery, and a spot like this would be ideal for creating a retreat away from the hectic pace of domestic life while you focus on work.
If you have a room with a view, claim a slice of the outdoors for your study by positioning your desk to make the most of it. Or you could consider carving out a desk space at the end of a kitchen/living space extension, which has doors opening to the garden.
Few outlooks are more calming for the mind than greenery, and a spot like this would be ideal for creating a retreat away from the hectic pace of domestic life while you focus on work.
If you have a room with a view, claim a slice of the outdoors for your study by positioning your desk to make the most of it. Or you could consider carving out a desk space at the end of a kitchen/living space extension, which has doors opening to the garden.
Lord over the manor
A converted loft is a smart use of space and a great way to create a home office that’s removed from the living spaces below. Rise above it all – literally – when you need to focus on work.
Where being in among the chaos of home life might limit focus, the elevated situation could actually offer some added perspective and inspiration.
A converted loft is a smart use of space and a great way to create a home office that’s removed from the living spaces below. Rise above it all – literally – when you need to focus on work.
Where being in among the chaos of home life might limit focus, the elevated situation could actually offer some added perspective and inspiration.
Move out(side)
To really get away from the distractions of home, take your work outside to a customised office space in the garden. From shed conversions to purpose-built pods like this, the garden office, or ‘shoffice’ (shed + office), is experiencing a huge surge in popularity. Considering you’d have more space and privacy in a structure like this than you’d get inside the house, it’s not hard to see why.
Though the cool, curved design these homeowners have gone for may not be an option for everyone, there are many ways to create a compact garden room if you have outdoor space, especially with the help of professional advice.
See the world’s best sheds
To really get away from the distractions of home, take your work outside to a customised office space in the garden. From shed conversions to purpose-built pods like this, the garden office, or ‘shoffice’ (shed + office), is experiencing a huge surge in popularity. Considering you’d have more space and privacy in a structure like this than you’d get inside the house, it’s not hard to see why.
Though the cool, curved design these homeowners have gone for may not be an option for everyone, there are many ways to create a compact garden room if you have outdoor space, especially with the help of professional advice.
See the world’s best sheds
Set clear boundaries
Glass partitions can help to section off your work space, while creating the illusion of a wide, open area. To maintain the spacious appearance of a home office like this – essentially just a landing – ensure your work surfaces are uncluttered, and make the most of surrounding areas that enhance your office, such as the library visible from this study.
Glass partitions can help to section off your work space, while creating the illusion of a wide, open area. To maintain the spacious appearance of a home office like this – essentially just a landing – ensure your work surfaces are uncluttered, and make the most of surrounding areas that enhance your office, such as the library visible from this study.
See the light
A desk facing a source of natural light is a refreshing alternative to working in a darkly-lit corner of the room. This desk is ideally situated, but it’s the vibrant indigo bookcase that takes centre stage in this stately study.
A well-placed sofa also offers the option for guest seating, or simply to indulge in reading away from your desk. No space for a sofa? Try a compact cocktail-style chair instead.
Maximising minimal office space
A desk facing a source of natural light is a refreshing alternative to working in a darkly-lit corner of the room. This desk is ideally situated, but it’s the vibrant indigo bookcase that takes centre stage in this stately study.
A well-placed sofa also offers the option for guest seating, or simply to indulge in reading away from your desk. No space for a sofa? Try a compact cocktail-style chair instead.
Maximising minimal office space
Mix business with pleasure
If you want the convenience of a home office without compromising on style, it doesn’t get much sleeker than this study.
Muted grey walls and a mix of walnut and oak furniture and flooring mean business. But the combination of the mirror’s curves, statement task lighting, framed photography and the tropical flowers give the traditional materials a contemporary update.
If you want the convenience of a home office without compromising on style, it doesn’t get much sleeker than this study.
Muted grey walls and a mix of walnut and oak furniture and flooring mean business. But the combination of the mirror’s curves, statement task lighting, framed photography and the tropical flowers give the traditional materials a contemporary update.
Put the writing on the wall
If you’re not facing a window, why face a blank wall when you can turn it into a canvas to jot ideas on?
Making use of an empty wall as a blackboard is both inspired and inspiring, especially if your work generates an abundance of thoughts that you need to visualise. Not to mention the way it makes an office look extra scholarly.
And if you don’t want to go dark, you can also get clever whiteboard paint that does the same job but, well, in white.
If you’re not facing a window, why face a blank wall when you can turn it into a canvas to jot ideas on?
Making use of an empty wall as a blackboard is both inspired and inspiring, especially if your work generates an abundance of thoughts that you need to visualise. Not to mention the way it makes an office look extra scholarly.
And if you don’t want to go dark, you can also get clever whiteboard paint that does the same job but, well, in white.
Big up your book collection
For book buffs, it doesn’t get much more perfect than this well-lit office space, with a full library within easy reach. If it were my study, I might even put in a couch, or turn that bay window into a reading nook where I could while away the hours ‘researching’.
For book buffs, it doesn’t get much more perfect than this well-lit office space, with a full library within easy reach. If it were my study, I might even put in a couch, or turn that bay window into a reading nook where I could while away the hours ‘researching’.
Make space for a break
Even when you’re working at home, you need some downtime away from the desk. Adding comfy seating to the office will give you space to take a break, without removing yourself completely from the working environment.
A seat with a window view is ideal, so you can return to work refreshed but not distracted.
Winning window seat ideas
TELL US…
What does your dream home office look like? Share your ideas or photos in the Comments below.
Even when you’re working at home, you need some downtime away from the desk. Adding comfy seating to the office will give you space to take a break, without removing yourself completely from the working environment.
A seat with a window view is ideal, so you can return to work refreshed but not distracted.
Winning window seat ideas
TELL US…
What does your dream home office look like? Share your ideas or photos in the Comments below.
For creative types, an office that doubles as a studio is an ideal space for working from home. The clean white walls and clear surfaces have the appeal of a blank canvas, while welcome pops of colour add some energy and stimulation to the pristine space.