14 Home Offices to Inspire Your Own
Steal some ideas from these offices spaces to motivate you to want to work at home
Kate McKee
10 April 2016
Houzz contributor, freelance writer and home design enthusiast. I write on a diverse range of topics ranging from health and beauty to landscape architecture and interior design. I have a very inquisitive nature and love to share my findings with others.
Houzz contributor, freelance writer and home design enthusiast. I write on a diverse... More
With today’s technology meaning the workplace is more flexible than ever, many of us are working from our own offices at home. Now, working from home does have its perks. For example, there is no judgement if you wear your jammies to work. You also don’t have to struggle with parking or public transport, and you can have your lunch break whenever you want.
There is another side to the coin, however. The downside is that working from home provides a lot of distractions – particularly for some reason when deadlines are looming. The dog needs a walk, the kitchen sink is breeding new life forms, you need to hang out the laundry – you get the picture. There’s also the fact that when you work from home, friends and family think it is completely fair game to drop in on you at any time – again, particularly for some reason when deadlines are looming.
Another thing is that as you don’t have a boss noting when you come in every day, you need to rely entirely on your own will to get yourself into gear early every morning (no matter what), as those bills don’t pay themselves. This is when having a fabulous home office space can come in handy. If your home office actually entices you to sit down at your desk, half of the battle has been won already. A home office that you enjoy being in can be as inspiring as it is practical and comfortable – not to mention a major investment in terms of your future work ethic.
There is another side to the coin, however. The downside is that working from home provides a lot of distractions – particularly for some reason when deadlines are looming. The dog needs a walk, the kitchen sink is breeding new life forms, you need to hang out the laundry – you get the picture. There’s also the fact that when you work from home, friends and family think it is completely fair game to drop in on you at any time – again, particularly for some reason when deadlines are looming.
Another thing is that as you don’t have a boss noting when you come in every day, you need to rely entirely on your own will to get yourself into gear early every morning (no matter what), as those bills don’t pay themselves. This is when having a fabulous home office space can come in handy. If your home office actually entices you to sit down at your desk, half of the battle has been won already. A home office that you enjoy being in can be as inspiring as it is practical and comfortable – not to mention a major investment in terms of your future work ethic.
The lamps
Adding a few table lamps can really warm up an office area, particularly when burning the midnight oil at your desk. These lamps paired with the soft-furnished chairs and wall art make for an inviting room. Adjust the light bulb strength according to your light needs.
Adding a few table lamps can really warm up an office area, particularly when burning the midnight oil at your desk. These lamps paired with the soft-furnished chairs and wall art make for an inviting room. Adjust the light bulb strength according to your light needs.
A greenhouse effect
If you can’t be frolicking in the garden, you may as well have a good view of it. I love how the panelled windows give the look and feel of a greenhouse, blurring the lines between outside and in.
If you can’t be frolicking in the garden, you may as well have a good view of it. I love how the panelled windows give the look and feel of a greenhouse, blurring the lines between outside and in.
Soft touches
Office chairs and desks don’t need to look like they belong in an accountancy firm – this upholstered modern floral dining room chair is attractive and comfortable. Fresh-cut flowers, a side table and floor rug provide soft accents and a welcoming atmosphere.
Office chairs and desks don’t need to look like they belong in an accountancy firm – this upholstered modern floral dining room chair is attractive and comfortable. Fresh-cut flowers, a side table and floor rug provide soft accents and a welcoming atmosphere.
Backyard venture
What better way to start the day than walking through your own garden to your home office space? Having a gorgeous outlook or a place to breathe in the fresh air can make all the difference to a productive work day.
What better way to start the day than walking through your own garden to your home office space? Having a gorgeous outlook or a place to breathe in the fresh air can make all the difference to a productive work day.
Salvage in style
The desk in this industrial-style loft is a worktable from an old wood shop that was left in the premises as it was too heavy to move. A major bonus for the new owners! The steel tops work perfectly within the space.
Take a tour of this stylish loft
The desk in this industrial-style loft is a worktable from an old wood shop that was left in the premises as it was too heavy to move. A major bonus for the new owners! The steel tops work perfectly within the space.
Take a tour of this stylish loft
Traditional touches
Neutral tones keep this traditional-style office from becoming too pretty. The ornate desk is a definite standout, as are the plush office chairs.
Neutral tones keep this traditional-style office from becoming too pretty. The ornate desk is a definite standout, as are the plush office chairs.
Bespoke features
Get inventive with your shelving and think outside the box. Take two ladders and timber boards and, boom, bespoke shabby chic shelving. Add feature wallpaper to spice things up a bit as well.
Get inventive with your shelving and think outside the box. Take two ladders and timber boards and, boom, bespoke shabby chic shelving. Add feature wallpaper to spice things up a bit as well.
Palette perfection
Do you have a favourite colour you gravitate towards, no matter what? Incorporate it into your home office. I am a big fan of green, which is perhaps why this home office caught my eye.
Do you have a favourite colour you gravitate towards, no matter what? Incorporate it into your home office. I am a big fan of green, which is perhaps why this home office caught my eye.
Get exposed
The exposed brick and industrial windows really give this office space a distinct personality. The window seat also allows a place to unwind – or have a sneaky office nap.
More: Exposed: Bricks in All Their Glory … Inside the Home
The exposed brick and industrial windows really give this office space a distinct personality. The window seat also allows a place to unwind – or have a sneaky office nap.
More: Exposed: Bricks in All Their Glory … Inside the Home
Functional finesse
Home offices need to be practical, yes, but that doesn’t mean they need to come from a cubicle farm. This Mid-century home office combines task lighting with a stylish touch.
Home offices need to be practical, yes, but that doesn’t mean they need to come from a cubicle farm. This Mid-century home office combines task lighting with a stylish touch.
Nice and narrow
Floating shelves and a narrow desk space allow this space to be discreet but eye-catching at the same time. The assortment of frames give off a casual feel, while the black and white scheme keeps things slick and simple.
Floating shelves and a narrow desk space allow this space to be discreet but eye-catching at the same time. The assortment of frames give off a casual feel, while the black and white scheme keeps things slick and simple.
Get personal
Personalise your office space with items that mean something to you. Quirky cushions, framed prints – decorate until your heart’s content.
Personalise your office space with items that mean something to you. Quirky cushions, framed prints – decorate until your heart’s content.
Creative custom made
How about a little red Corvette for a desk at home? I am sure Prince would approve. Don’t be afraid to go left of centre – a work office doesn’t need to be all function and no fun.
How about a little red Corvette for a desk at home? I am sure Prince would approve. Don’t be afraid to go left of centre – a work office doesn’t need to be all function and no fun.
The writing’s on the wall
Make bold statements in black and white with accents of red. Notice how the timber flooring and desk add a warm touch and save this office from being overtly modern.
SHOW US
We’d love to see your home office space, so please attach a high-resolution photo in the comments section below.
MORE
8 Ways to Carve Out Space for Your Work Area
10 Client-Facing Home Offices You Won’t Be Afraid to Show Off
Greening Your Home: 10 Ways to Create an Eco-Friendly Workspace
8 Big Space-Saving Ideas for Small Home Offices
Make bold statements in black and white with accents of red. Notice how the timber flooring and desk add a warm touch and save this office from being overtly modern.
SHOW US
We’d love to see your home office space, so please attach a high-resolution photo in the comments section below.
MORE
8 Ways to Carve Out Space for Your Work Area
10 Client-Facing Home Offices You Won’t Be Afraid to Show Off
Greening Your Home: 10 Ways to Create an Eco-Friendly Workspace
8 Big Space-Saving Ideas for Small Home Offices
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I need to reorganize my office space but none of the above work for me, it is a messy mini library with hundreds of books, if anyone has some links please share.
@rissa14: My first suggestion would be to purge things, especially books you will not want to read anymore. It's hard to organize things when there's just too much.
Ahhhh....books! Lots of storage on our wall units or via our Urban Living cabinets. See http://www.workspaces.com/home-office-furniture/curvilinear-office-furniture/storage-bookcases-wscl/custom-wall-unit and http://www.workspaces.com/home-office-furniture/urban-living-office-furniture/storage-bookcases-wsul/tower-storage-doors-bookcase-ws.