Be honest with yourself – how difficult is it sometimes to concentrate and work from home? It can be challenging. Cooking, cleaning, tidying, washing (up), – so many to-do’s. And since Covid made us all work from home, we now appreciate the freedom it comes with. Having a proper work space that inspires us, that makes us actually want to work from home and gets us into that zone -and leaves most distractions elsewhere- is really a game changer for many. For me, working from my gorgeous pink HK Living dining table, it remains a dream (gives me more time to design it in my head ;)). So maybe the home office ideas mentioned below will help you decide how to style your space to work from home.
Whether you have a designated room like a study or guest bedroom office combo, a corner in your living room, a nook in your bedroom or even a desk in your hallway, I have curated my 10 favourite design ideas, from small spaces to designated studies, to get you productive at home.
1. Space saving desk
What’s not to love? If you do not have a study or a great corner for a desk, why not chose a wall-mounted folding desk. Clever! Opened, it many also feature a useful shelf. The footstool is decorative and can be used for a second person, documents / books or what is what designed for – your feet. I found this colourful wall mounted folding desk on etsy. This desk is available in many different colours and there is even space for a printer below and a screen could be left on the inside. Here is another minimalist wall mounted folding desk, also found on etsy, and really good value too. You may want to add a folding chair or stool, the latter doubling up as a space for books or multiple other uses when not used to be sat upon. Overall a great home office idea you’ll love.
2. I have NO space
Maybe…but you do have a window. Even just a wooden (or other material) board connecting two walls facing a window can be a genius -and gorgeous- solution. The one featured in this foto is actually in a kitchen. So no excuses. An looking out of a window is not too bad either. Many people would love to have a daylight-featuring work environment and not be enclosed in an open-plan office with hundreds of people meters away from any natural light – would you? Add a nice chair (an maybe a footstool again – it provides so much flexibility) and you’re all set. Equally, a great home office inspiration.
3. Cosy and compact
You have a small gap somewhere – could be in your bedroom or living room for example – and are thinking about a regular bookshelf? Think again. Maybe a great work from home nook would be perfect. It could be blended in with the rest of the interior or be set apart from the rest of the space.
4. Working from your home bedroom
An extension of your bed frame / low headboard is a great way to create a desk situation. Another amazing idea is integrating your home office into your wardrobe. Open the doors – work mode on, close the doors, work mode off.
5. Use a “non-space” as a home office
A “non-space” is a space that is not necessarily dedicated to a particular use and is usually not really used as a room, a hallway for example. Usually it is used to connect spaces, circulate, it gets a whole new life. If you do not want it to be overwhelmingly full of books, hang some art or framed photos on the wall. This is a rather creative home office idea.
6. Guest bedroom office combo
Many people -if having the luxury of having an additional room in their house or apartment- combine their home office with a guest bedroom. A pull out sofa is a great option for a guest bedroom, can be well utilised in an office space as well (nothing wrong with temporarily be seated on a sofa to work or take a break).
7. Work from ‘outer’ home
A wonderful creative workspace inspiration is working from an garden house or even conservatory. It has a magical touch sitting in a greenhouse kind of environment. Look at this beautiful shed. Adding plants is generally speaking a good idea for any work from home set up. But surrounding oneself by green and natural light brings this to a whole other level and adds some kind of holiday vibe to the environment.
8. Work (out) from home
You are the kind of “can’t sit still” type? You may want to consider a height adjustable desk. Swap between sitting and standing – a real game changer for some. Not enough? Get a walking pad (like a treadmill) and keep on moving whilst working / being on calls in your athletic home office.
9. Show your true colours
Go for inspiring colours for your work at home space, colours that get you going / ready for the day. Blues and greens (and there are so many shades – sigh) are known for its calming and soothing properties for example. Grey is rather timeless and dark colours mediate studiousness. What is the vibe you would be going for?
10. Keep your home office neat
Keep it minimalist and decluttered if your home office is integrated into your living room, bedroom or generally speaking you do not have a designated room with a room to close. It is not about hiding it but making it blend in organically with the rest of your space.
Why not read another one of my blog posts, maybe about some guest toilet ideas.
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