Small Home Office Design Ideas

Identify your office room or zone

You’ll likely be more productive in a dedicated working environment. There’ll be fewer distractions and you can simply close the door at the end of the day – something that is essential to enjoying a good work-life balance.

Perhaps you have the option to convert a spare room or attic space into a small home office? Some of you may even be able to convert a garage or shed and enjoy a luxury garden office. Just be sure to contact your local authority to check if building regulations and planning permission are required.

But what if you don’t have a potential office room? In that case, you need to look for a suitable nook elsewhere in your home. Under the stairs, in the hallway, a corner of the living room – they’re all options. We’ve even seen people convert wardrobe space into a small office! Anywhere you can neatly fit a small desk and chair can be turned into an office zone.

Choose the right furniture for your small home office

Buying the right kind of furniture for your office room is key and it’s worth investing in the best you can buy for your budget.

No home office design would be complete without a computer chair and desk. Make sure the chair you choose is comfortable and fully adjustable. You should be able to place your feet flat on the floor and maintain a straight back. The more comfortable you are, the more productively you’ll work.

The type of desk you choose will depend on the amount of space you have. You’ll also need to think about what your desk needs to accommodate i.e. a computer or laptop, a printer, files and other working aids.

The good news is there are plenty of desks designed for small home office spaces:

• Corner desks are great for sectioning off your computer or laptop from other working aids and equipment
• Slimline desks will work well in an office room that lacks width
• Wall-mounted desks are ideal for tiny home office designs
• Traditional bureaus offer desk space and storage all-in-one

If you’re designing an office zone, rather than an office room, we’d suggest matching furniture to your existing furniture and complementing your interior design.

How to light your small home office

The best home office design ideas maximise natural lighting.

Choose a room with good natural light and pale wall paint to reflect it around the room. Soft blue shades are thought to positively influence productivity, by calming the mind and aiding concentration. A much better choice than white, which can be rather clinical.

Position your desk as close to a window as possible to benefit from daylight and enjoy a little respite from your computer screen. You may need to consider the angles of any screens you use, to avoid glare. On particularly sunny days, you may benefit from using a light coloured roller blind.

A desk lamp will be essential for working at your computer on darker days or if you tend to work in the evenings. Pendant lighting also works well in home office designs that lack space. It will offer gentle illumination, without cluttering your room.

De-clutter your office room

Speaking of clutter, it’s hard to work productively when you’re surrounded by mess. Adopt a minimalist home office design and keep your workspace free of junk.

If you’re converting a spare room or storage room, invest in boxes with lids, so your belongings don’t invade your space and affect your ability to work.

Modular shelving or wall-storage is a great option for small spaces. It will make full use of the height of your room, without taking up floor space.

Home office design ideas for injecting personality

Your office room doesn’t have to be business-like and boring. Here are a few ideas to keep it practical but full of personality:

• Plants – Known to make an environment happier and healthier. They can also reduce stress and make a home office space feel less lonely.
• Noticeboard or mood board – Use it to visualise your goals and achievements, keep track of meetings, deadlines and to-do lists.
• Picture or quote print – A picture of your family can be a great motivator, as can an inspirational quote.
• Sound system – Not everyone works well in silence! If you like to work to music, incorporate a sound system into your home office design.

Feeling inspired by these home office design ideas? Now’s the time to start planning.

Don’t forget to share your home office designs with us on social media. We’d love to see them!

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