Make Your Office You:
Home Office Decor Ideas

Pull From Different Rooms

Don't be limited by the word "office" when selecting furniture pieces. You're going to be spending a lot of time at your desk, so, for example, a comfortable armchair can work great as a primary desk chair. Find pieces that are appealing and speak to you, no matter what category they “normally” belong in.

Go for High Design, Even on a Small Scale

A small space doesn't have to be boring. Find unique, architecturally interesting pieces that provide both style and function, while keeping a low spatial profile. Learn more about how to make the most of a small home office with these small office ideas.

Location, Location, Location

Give yourself something to look at—for example, position your desk in front of a window with an amazing view. Then, by keeping larger elements dark and lower, and lighter toned elements higher, it will draw the eye up to the window or a featured piece of art.

Coordinate Colors for Eye-Catching Impact

Make a dramatic statement with matching metals and colors, like a brushed silver chair and desk legs with art in similar silver tones. Striking, yet flexible desk lighting gives it even more flair.

Play with Silhouettes

Experiment with both contrasting and coordinated shapes. Strong square lines in a desk and wall art, for example, can be offset and softened by curved lines of hanging pendants, chairs or other features.

Natural Minimalism

Achieve a natural, understated look by coordinating wood tones and keeping a sleek, minimalist style. Leave the bulky pieces behind and instead choose a desk with slender legs and a few small drawers.

Be Inspired

Consider adding an inspiration board to your office. Whether on the wall, a white board or a cork board, an inspiration board can be a daily reminder of what your goals are and what you want to achieve, whether personally or for a project.

Find Flexible Furniture

Don't need a workspace all the time? Consider pieces that can be put away when not in use, like a desk with a tray that folds down flat. Also, fill your workspace with things that inspire you, everything from books and tools to toys and games.

Work Within A Decorating Style

For a cohesive look, you can embrace a design aesthetic that appeals to you and work within that structure. For example, the simple, clean and interesting lines of mid-century modern design work well in an home office setting.

Let the Light Shine In

When you need a desk but don't want to block the light or a view, keep it minimal. Choose furniture pieces with bright metals to reflect and enhance the natural light, and a glass top lets your gaze pass right through to the focus beyond.

Try Out Contemporary Classics

If you like the look of antiques but not their lack of modern functionality, embrace updated versions of traditional styles. Shaker and Arts & Crafts designs, for example, are easily adapted to more contemporary versions. Don't forget floor coverings - natural materials like sisal add texture and warmth and stand up well to foot traffic.

Emphasize By Coordinating Contrasts

Juxtapose natural materials like wood and leather with metal to make an impact. Darker grain lines in a wooden desk are emphasized by matte black metal trim. Similarly, the smoothness of metal contrasts with the rustic leather of a reimagined traditional desk chair.

Make Impactful Displays of Mementos

A collection of keepsakes isn't clutter when they're coordinated, curated and contained. A small alcove or wall shelf dedicated to your treasures gives you an opportunity to creatively display favorite items for workday inspiration.

Find Co-Working Harmony

Create balance in a shared office space with matching fixtures laid out to mirror each other. Then, define the individual workspaces with personalized artwork and other desk accessories.

Use A Limited Color Palette to Draw Focus

Use a monochromatic or neutral palette with coordinating elements to showcase a piece of art or statement element. In a room with dark wood furniture, a dark floor or even a dark lampshade, a brightly colored painting stands out in stark contrast, pulling visual attention.

Get Hung Up on Lighting

If you only have space for a small desk, considering using an office pendant light instead of taking up valuable real estate for a desk lamp. Pendants can add color, personality and architectural detail without taking up any of the limited desk space.

Free Your Inner Bohemian

Don't feel you have to be constrained by one design aesthetic. You can create a personalized, interesting, relaxed office design by pulling from many different styles. A modern chair, simple desk, rustic bench, colorful pillows and rectangular rugs create an eclectic cohesion.

Stand and Deliver

Standing desks can be great, but they're not always practical for every task. Therefore, consider getting one that lets you sit or stand. Some standing desks, like this Centro Lift Standing Desk, even have digital controls to do the heavy lifting, quickly and easily changing modes.

Blend into the Background

If you want a workspace that isn't obtrusive, using white furniture against a white wall helps keep them from drawing attention. Light airy chairs and minimalistic furniture designs continue to de-emphasize the office space.

Look for Multi-Functional Lighting

For multifunctional spaces, look for lighting fixtures that are functional and versatile, particularly ones that can change heights, angles and intensity of light. Bonus if the light has different mounting styles and can either rest on or be clamped to a desk, or can be mounted to a wall or ceiling.

The only rule about designing a home office space is that there are no rules. Take the elements that you love, that inspire you, that make you want to come to work every day and make the space your own.