19 Home Office Ideas to Boost Your Productivity and Creativity

Working from home has become the new normal for many of us due to the pandemic. It has its upsides and downsides. While you get to spend more time with your family and save time on your daily commute, it can be challenging to stay focused and productive without a dedicated workspace.

A home office can help you separate your work life from your personal life. It can also boost your productivity and creativity. Whether you have a large home or a small apartment, there are plenty of home office ideas you can implement to make your remote work experience more enjoyable.

1. Embrace a Color You Love

You might have heard that color can have a psychological impact on your mood. If you want to feel calm and relaxed in your home office, consider adding a shade of blue. If you want to feel energized and creative, add a pop of yellow.

You can also take a color you love and use it throughout your office. Here, a bold shade of teal is used to anchor the room and is carried through in the desk, the chair, the pillows, and the art.

2. Use a Standing Desk

Sitting all day can have adverse effects on your body, so if you want to avoid the negative side effects of sitting for hours on end, you can opt for a standing desk.

Standing desks come in all shapes and sizes, and they can be adjusted to your height and comfort. You can also find standing desk converters, which allow you to turn your regular desk into a standing desk.

3. Create a Cozy Corner

If you don’t have a lot of room to work with, you can still create a cozy, functional home office. This small space is the perfect example of how to do just that.

The oversized chair invites you to kick back and relax, while the floor lamp provides ample light for working. The small desk and shelves take up minimal space while still providing storage and a place to work.

Pro Tip: If you have to work in a small space, make sure you have a good way to keep your work out of sight. In this space, the small shelves and desk can be easily hidden behind the chair when not in use.

4. Add a Splash of Color

If you’re not a fan of white, you can still create a bright and airy office with a splash of color. This office uses a light blue wall to create a bright and inspiring space to work.

You can also use color to add personality to a more traditional office. If you’re working with a built-in desk, add a pop of color to the back of the shelves to draw attention to the space and add a touch of your personality.

5. Use the Space Behind a Sofa

You can create a functional workspace in a small home office by using the space behind a sofa. This is a great solution if you have an open-concept living room and want to create a dedicated workspace without it feeling out of place.

Consider adding a console table behind your sofa and using it as a desk. You can also add a small bookshelf or a floating desk to create a workspace behind your sofa.

6. Make It Masculine

If you’re a guy who works from home, you might not be into the idea of a pink office space. Instead, try bringing in dark colors and bold patterns.

This room is a great example of how to make a small space feel masculine with the use of color. The built-in shelving was painted a deep green, and the black and white patterned rug adds a lot of visual interest to the room.

7. Make It Feminine

If you have an entire room to dedicate to your home office, consider giving it a feminine touch with soft colors, a floral accent wall, and a crystal chandelier.

This space is the perfect mix of feminine and functional. The modern furniture and decor are perfectly balanced with the feminine touches throughout the room.

8. Use a Small Space

Not everyone has the luxury of having a dedicated office space or a large room to convert. But with a little creativity and some smart space planning, you can carve out a small home office area in just about any room.

Here, a small desk and a few shelves are all that’s needed to create a functional home office area. The key is to keep your work area separate from the rest of the room and to keep it organized.

9. Use a Large Space

If you have the luxury of a large home, consider dedicating one room to your home office. Not only does this give you a lot of space to work with, but it also allows you to get creative with your design.

In this home office, you’ll see how the large space is divided into two separate workspaces. This is a great option if you share the office with your partner or a roommate, as you can each have your own space.

The L-shaped desk is a great way to maximize space and provide ample room for two people to work. Add a few pieces of art and a large rug to make the space feel cohesive.

10. Use a Closet

If you don’t have a spare room to turn into a home office, consider using a closet. You can remove the doors and add a desk and shelving, like in the design above.

Or, you can keep the doors and use an under-desk cart to store your office supplies.

Another idea is to use a portable desk and chair that you can easily pack up and put away when you’re not using it.

11. Make It a Multipurpose Room

If you don’t have a lot of space to work with, consider making your office a multipurpose room. Here, designer Ashley Montgomery of Ashley Montgomery Design turned a small bedroom into a guest room/home office.

A small desk fits perfectly in the corner, and a small gallery wall helps define the space. The rest of the room is dedicated to a comfortable bed and a small seating area.

12. Make It a Family Room

If you have a family, it can be difficult to balance work and home life. But, if you can’t make it to the office, why not bring your office to the family?

This home office, designed by Tamsin Johnson, feels more like a cozy family room than a workspace. The plush sofa and armchair are perfect for a quick break, and the built-in bookshelves make it easy to keep things organized.

13. Use a Vintage Desk

A vintage desk can add a lot of character to a home office. This desk is a family heirloom that I painted and added new hardware to.

I love the contrast of the light wood with the white chair and the dark wall. It’s a great example of how to mix different wood tones in your home office.

14. Go for a Modern Look

Modern design is all about simplicity and clean lines. The color scheme is typically neutral with a pop of color here and there.

This home office is a great example of modern design. The color scheme is simple, and the desk is sleek and minimal. The gold accents throughout the room add a touch of elegance, and the white chair adds visual interest.

15. Use a Traditional Desk

Not everyone is a fan of the standing desk trend, and that’s okay. Try a traditional desk with a chair that is comfortable and supportive for your body.

Consider the height of the desk and chair to make sure that your elbows are at a 90-degree angle and that you can rest your feet flat on the ground.

16. Create an Industrial Look

If you love the look of an industrial office but you’re working from home, you can still have the best of both worlds. This office takes advantage of the exposed brick wall, but you can also get the look with a brick wallpaper.

The industrial look is all about mixing textures, so you can add in a metal desk, a leather chair, and a wood floor to get the same effect.

17. Make It a Tech Space

If you’re a tech-savvy person, you may want to create a home office that is also a tech space. This means you’ll want to prioritize things like a high-quality computer, multiple monitors, a printer, and a scanner. You may also want to invest in some smart home office equipment, like a smart speaker or smart light bulbs.

You’ll also want to think about how you can keep all of your cords and cables organized and out of the way. This can make your home office look much cleaner and more polished.

18. Create a Zen Space

If you have a spare room or a corner of your home where you can carve out an office, do it. Not only can you write off a portion of your rent or mortgage as a business expense, but you can also design a space that’s tailored to your needs.

This office designed by Kress Jack is a perfect example of that. The calming color palette, modern furniture, and extra floor space make this room perfect for yoga, meditation, or just taking a few deep breaths to reset.

19. Create a Mid-Century Modern Space

Mid-century modern furniture and design elements have been trending, and for good reason. The style is clean, uncluttered, and simple. It’s perfect for a home office because it’s a style that’s not too busy, which can help you focus.

The key to mid-century modern is to keep it simple. The design is typically minimalist, with a few statement pieces that give the space personality. In this office, the statement piece is the desk. The unique shape and wood finish make it the star of the space.

Conclusion

There are many home office ideas out there for you to peruse and consider. But the most important thing is that your home office works for you. So, take your time, think about what you need, and create a space that helps you be more productive and creative.