If the home is where the heart is, your home office is where your brain gets to work. Having a dedicated space to keep work separate from play or rest is crucial to maintaining a good work-life balance. That’s why it’s key to follow these office decor ideas to get the best out of yourself when working in this space.
Unlike your cubicle at your company office, your home office doesn’t have to be corporate and drab. It should be quite the opposite, in fact. The home office is an opportunity to put a part of your personality on display that maybe doesn’t quite fit into the decor of more common areas of your home.
With many of us spending more time working from home than ever, there’s no better time to get your home office outfitted exactly to your tastes. Whether that means a hyper-organized minimalist space where you can get away from the distractions of home life or a bright and vivid space that inspires you to create, we have curated a collection of home office decorating ideas to transform your workspace into a hive of productivity.
The most important part of decorating your home office is to create a functional space. But you also want it to be comfortable enough that you won’t mind spending time there. Read on for home office decor ideas for every space and style.
See more about - 45 Best Modern Home Office Design Ideas
Table of Contents
1. Embracing Shabby-Chic Style
Nothing says chic like gold accents and lacquered surfaces. If you want your office environment to be your place of power, incorporate these luxe touches. Think of your desk chair as your throne, and seek a lush, regal seat with an interesting twist, such as velvet upholstery or a lucite frame.
There is a range of desk styles that complement a chic home office design, but one of the most regal silhouettes is a campaign-style desk, particularly in a bold color with brass or gold accents. Surround yourself with sculptural objects and fresh flowers to make your space feel elegant and elevated.
When it comes to tabletop decor, you can have a lot of fun decorating a chic office with throwback items such as a fountain pen or a Hollywood Regency-style rotary phone. Textiles should be lush as well; think pink shag accents rugs and throw pillows.
2. Creative and Budget-Friendly DIY Ideas
There are many ways you can create a workspace without going out and purchasing traditional office furniture. With just two shelf brackets and an appropriately sized piece of board, you can make your own floating desk against a wall. Add a floating shelf above for a cohesive look to your unique space.
If you have a large, blank wall, consider making an accent wall with simple chalkboard paint. A chalk wall lets you roll a calendar, inspiration board, and notepad into one functional feature. Industrial finds such as workbenches and mechanic’s stools work great in DIY spaces, adding to the “found” nature of the room. Turn crates sideways and mount them to create shelves. The options for creating an office space out of unique materials are endless.
3. Elevating Your Home Office
Your home office should be more than just a piece of plywood thrown across some filing cabinets for support. The design and decor should reflect your tastes and style. Ensuring your space is comfortable and functional will help boost productivity; there’s nothing worse than trying to get work done amid disorganization.
An easy way to get clutter off your work surfaces is by installing floating shelves. You can use them to display awards, certificates, or a favorite piece of artwork. And of course, your office space should still be comfortable, so be sure to add a throw pillow on your office chair for both style and lumbar support.
4. Embracing Simplicity
Some people subscribe to the philosophy that a well-organized room leads to a well-organized mind. If you work best in clean spaces with simple lines, then minimalist office decor is for you. Choose a restricted color scheme, such as all black or gray. Ensure you have only the essentials on hand to minimize distractions–a desk, chair, and one or two minimal shelving units for necessary storage.
In this digital age, the needs for your workspace might be so bare-bones that your desk holds only your computer, a notebook, and a desktop-sized plant for a touch of green. Even if your space doesn’t need to hold much, creating a designated office space is still important.
Creating this minimalist space for yourself doesn’t mean you can’t decorate, of course. It does, however, mean you should choose artwork for your space with care and intent. Simple prints of geometric shapes or black and white linework will add visual interest while maintaining the calming peace of your space.
See more about - 62 Bedroom Office Ideas
5. Infusing Modern Touches
Modern decor is timeless, so you can blend it with a lot of different styles to create unique interpretations. Some tenants of modern decor are furniture pieces with clean lines. Unlike the very restricted color palette of a minimalist office, wood and leather textures often highlight modern spaces.
If you want the clean lines of Modernism but also like a beachy boho style, use textiles and throw pillows to add a dash of life to your space. Oversized plants such as monsteras or banana trees can also boost the tropical vibe. Add in some vintage leather pieces, such as a low-slung couch, and your office is both fun and functional.
Of course, the most important component of modern home decor is artwork. There’s a wide range of subjects and themes to center your artwork choices around, whether abstract brushes of color or Cubist representations of landscapes. Whatever you choose, make sure your artwork reflects both your tastes and the style of the room.
6. Enhancing Your Workspace
The most important piece of furniture in your office is your desk. Unless you manage to work 100% paperless, you will need some additional decor items to make your desk functional and keep your work on track. Drawers are a must-have for stowing lots of little accessories without tons of clutter. If your current office desk doesn’t have drawers, there are several styles of desktop organizers you can purchase.
Another essential is a peg or pinboard. This is especially true if you work best by scribbling down ideas and important numbers on sticky notes. You can use them to clip up items you want to keep close at hand while still leaving your actual work surface clean and decluttered.
7. Stylish and Striking Wallpaper
Some people create better in a space where they can experience creativity and beauty as it reflects back at them. Cue boldly patterned wallpaper. With advances in application and removal, wallpaper is a fairly easy and super-effective way to add a ton of drama to any space.
Decorating with wallpaper is still tricky, as the scale of the print has to be the right size for the space. An oversized print is bold and modern, while a smaller print in a neutral palette can add a little bit of texture without overwhelming your office.
If a patterned wallpaper is not on your office decor vision board, several companies now print murals on adhesive wallpaper panels that can turn your blank walls into works of art.
8. Making the Most of Small Spaces
It’s only recently that new homes include home offices. If you have an older house or an apartment, you probably don’t have a spare room to dedicate as an office. Never fear: there are lots of other spaces that you can convert into a small office, such as a window nook, recess, or a convenient corner.
There are plenty of companies designing desks for smaller spaces. If you only have two or three feet of wall space, think of vertical shelves above your work area to double or triple your storage space. Hanging file folders is also a great way to keep papers organized if you don’t have room for filing cabinets in your designated work area. Instead of a desk lamp, opt for wall sconces or pendant lights to free up your work surface.
9. Crisp Elegance
To some, there is nothing more soothing to the mind than a totally blank space. This is why some people choose to have an entirely monochromatic color scheme to minimize any distractions. The default color tends to be off-white, although an all-gray or black space can also have this effect with proper lighting.
Once you set your monochromatic palette, it may be time to add accents. Decor makes the difference between a sad, abandoned space and one that inspires and delights. A few very light wood accents, whether in the trim or a slim piece of furniture, add a natural touch of life without adding clutter and distraction. Painting over existing wood paneling is also a great way to keep a natural texture and bring everything into your monochromatic color.
See more about - 51 Home Office Desk Ideas
Office Decor FAQs
How can I make my office decor more functional without sacrificing style?
To strike a balance between functionality and style, consider incorporating organizational elements into your decor. Use desk organizers, shelving units, and storage bins to keep your space tidy and efficient. Additionally, choose furniture pieces that offer both aesthetics and practicality, such as desks with built-in storage or ergonomic chairs with adjustable features.
What are some cost-effective office decor ideas for those on a tight budget?
Redecorating your office doesn’t have to break the bank. Opt for inexpensive yet impactful updates like fresh paint, rearranging furniture, or adding affordable decorative items like plants, artwork, or stylish desk accessories. Upcycling furniture or repurposing existing items can also provide a budget-friendly way to revitalize your office decor.
What are some ways to infuse creativity and inspiration into my office decor?
To foster a creative atmosphere, incorporate elements that reflect your personality and interests. Display artwork or motivational quotes that inspire you. Introduce pops of color through vibrant accent pieces or decorative accessories. Consider adding a small library or a vision board to stimulate creativity and provide visual inspiration.
