Here are the Home Office Design Ideas You Need to Consider

There’s no question about it: as we continue to work from home, home offices have gotten serious upgrades. And we’ve learned to make them special. Gone (hopefully) are the days of the spring of 2020 where we were Zooming in from the dinner table, patio set or wherever we could carve out a quiet space (unfortunately that includes the bathroom).

Since then, home offices have evolved. They’ve gained a sense of permanence and purpose. We’ve had time for deliberate design. Nothing fancy, not elaborate, but certainly something less transitory. If we’re going to be working at home for a while, and it seems like some type of home-office hybrid model is here to stay, then let’s get comfortable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Seat at the Table

We learned in the first couple months of conference calls from the kitchen that our stools and benches and dining seats weren’t made to be sat in for eight hours a day. Having the right seating is essential to working well at home. We love those influencer office designs on Pinterest, too, but some of those chairs? Yikes. They’d destroy your back before the morning touch-base meeting is through.

This isn’t about getting the look, it’s about protecting your health. And comfort is key, so a proper home office should start with a good chair. Look for one that’s adjustable with plenty of lower back support. And make sure your desk space matches the chair at the proper height.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where can you carve out some desk space? You’d be surprised where a simple wall-mounted shelf can become a cozy office nook. In a hallway. In the corner of a bedroom. Any vacant corner can be outfitted with a built-in.

Once you have the right seat at the right height, then you can get to styling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep it Clean

Your desk at the real office isn’t covered with laundry or junk mail, so try to keep your home office space just as tidy. Help yourself by thinking hard about what you actually need in the space, and purpose-build your shelves and storage to accommodate only those things. This helps you avoid repetitive stress by keeping materials within reach, and keeps your space uncluttered and deliberate.

The white and minimal look is a natural vibe for the home office. Especially if your space is flooded with natural light, a light wood desk and some simple shelving is all you need. To add some texture and life, plants are a great way to add color. The options for natural materials, from the pots to the holders, gives the space more earth tones and a calming influence.

No matter your color scheme, you’re aiming for a sleek, efficient design, with natural materials and not much adornment. Floating shelves make for easy access and a smart look, especially when you’re short on space. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dark Side or the Light?

When it comes to the color palate for your home office, either go light or dark. Go with what suits your personality, the rest of your space, the mood you need to work. It’s like dark mode or regular mode on Microsoft Word. Go with what suits you best.

The trend for the last few years has certainly been more on the light and bright Scandinavian minimalist side of things. Accenting those light woods with knit blankets and white wool throws, soft furs and buff leather and candles. These spaces exude serenity and there’s no doubt they can make for a calming office environment.

But we’re noticing the trend lately for the modern home office is growing more dramatic. Think of channeling a more masculine library den, with darker woods, plush setting, and books galore on the walls. Tie it together with dark colors; brassy, bold light fixtures; and dark wood flooring. Try a navy blue on the wall, or a moody gray has some great styling options as well.

We'd like to see photos if you've adopted any of these ideas for your home office design. (Or your own ideas!)

Post photos and tag us on Facebook or Instagram with @llflooringofficial and use #LLStyle.