10 Home Office Designs That Make Working From Home a No-Brainer
Design a home office to perfectly match your needs and make going to work a pleasure
Meera Innes
15 September 2015
Houzz contributor. Freelance writer and lover of beautiful things. I grew up in Japan so my taste in interiors runs to the minimalist with an emphasis on natural colours and textures - but the Indian in me can't say no to sumptuous fabrics in glorious jewel tones either! I'm a big lover of combining old with new, so expect to see plenty of upcycled pieces and interiors featuring contemporary twists on period character.
Houzz contributor. Freelance writer and lover of beautiful things. I grew up in Japan... More
Working from home has its considerable upsides – but with domestic 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 that promotes focus and stimulates creativity.
Be inspired by these 10 dreamy workplaces and their clever and adaptable design ideas, and steal some for your own space.
Be inspired by these 10 dreamy workplaces and their clever and adaptable design ideas, and steal some for your own space.
Make room for inspiration
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.
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.
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 could you 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 could you consider carving out a desk space at the end of a kitchen/living space extension which has doors opening to the garden?
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 – giving more space and privacy that 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, with professional advice, there are many ways to create a compact garden room if you have outside space.
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 – giving more space and privacy that 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, with professional advice, there are many ways to create a compact garden room if you have outside space.
Lord over the manor
A converted loft is a smart use of space for a home office that’s removed from the living spaces below. Rise above it all – literally – when you need to focus on work; whereas being right among the chaos of home might limit focus, the elevated situation could even offer some added perspective and inspiration.
Extending into your roof this way may not require planning permission or heavy structural work – get expert insight on where to start
A converted loft is a smart use of space for a home office that’s removed from the living spaces below. Rise above it all – literally – when you need to focus on work; whereas being right among the chaos of home might limit focus, the elevated situation could even offer some added perspective and inspiration.
Extending into your roof this way may not require planning permission or heavy structural work – get expert insight on where to start
Set clear boundaries
Glass partitions can help to section off your working space while creating the illusion of a wide, open space. To maintain the spacious appearance of a home office like this – essentially just a landing – ensure 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 working space while creating the illusion of a wide, open space. To maintain the spacious appearance of a home office like this – essentially just a landing – ensure 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 from 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 seating guests, or simply to indulge in reading away from your desk. No space for a sofa? Try a compact cocktail-style chair instead.
A desk facing a source of natural light is a refreshing alternative to working from 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 seating guests, or simply to indulge in reading away from your desk. No space for a sofa? Try a compact cocktail-style chair instead.
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 mean business, while a combination of the mirror’s curves, statement task lighting, framed photography, industrial metal desk legs and the finishing touch of those minimal 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 mean business, while a combination of the mirror’s curves, statement task lighting, framed photography, industrial metal desk legs and the finishing touch of those minimal 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 down 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.
Tour a gorgeous London flat full of bright ideas, crafty touches – and some clever use of blackboard paint
If you’re not facing a window, why face a blank wall when you can turn it into a canvas to jot down 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.
Tour a gorgeous London flat full of bright ideas, crafty touches – and some clever use of blackboard paint
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 we’re working at home, we need some down-time away from the desk. Creating seating in 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.
Check out more enticing indoor swings
TELL US…
What does your dream home office look like? Share your ideas or photos in the Comments below.
Even when we’re working at home, we need some down-time away from the desk. Creating seating in 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.
Check out more enticing indoor swings
TELL US…
What does your dream home office look like? Share your ideas or photos in the Comments below.
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Plus glimpses of mine, the entire home is part of my office, my office is the entire home...
Wall to wall books with a huge window that looks out to the garden where I can see all the local birds. The blue wall above is very nice.
Impressive..! thanks for sharing office space designing ideas. Architectural design plans for office spaces have undergone a sea change in the last few decades. Brands and companies have realized that the primary purpose of good office design is to foster greater productivity instead of enforcing discipline. I also like to share things to remember when designing an office space. Such as Natural Light is Best, Efficient Spece Design, Storage is Second to none, Don't Skimp on the Furniture and the Lobby is your Office Face. To know more visit: Designing an Office Space