Home Office

As designers, we are often faced with challenges like how to fit all of our client’s long list of wants and needs into a tiny space.  The home office is one of those rooms that are often quite small but that have a bevy or requirements to fit into the space. I usually look for small home office ideas that serve more than one function. For example, we often don’t have the luxury of having room for multiple walls of built in bookshelves, a free standing desk, and large fireplace. In this case, I like to combine several of these elements into only one or two office design ideas in order to check them off the client’s list without sacrificing space.

I have been looking around for inspiration to redecorate my home office and I think I finally found it! This room has all of the things that I want in an office — a really cool desk, bold color palette, lots of built in storage, and fun decorative accents. I love how they chose a small home office desk that doesn’t take up the entire room. All I use is a laptop and mouse, so there is no need for one of those large executive desks.  Their choice of vibrant blue home office furniture to complete the room was another fantastic choice.  The electric blue shelving units provide the perfect backdrop for those electric guitars and create such a cool rocker vibe.

I have really been struggling to find the right home office chairs for my new workspace. Most options that I have seen in the stores and online are huge ugly leather varieties. Those chairs may be comfortable, but they certainly don’t bring any style to my home office. I really like how this designer instead decided to use slipcovered armchairs that you would typically find in a living room. I think that is a really unique twist on what you would typically see pulled up around a home office desk. This picture inspired me to think outside of the box and look for my home office chairs in other areas of the furniture store. I am hoping that I can find something unique to use in that space. 

When my wife and I were designing her new home office there were several things we learned. I think it turned out great so I wanted to give our advice to other homeowners. First, pick one color palette and stick to it. She loves grey and black, so we used that color palette for paint shades, furniture and office decor. I think this gave the space a very cohesive look. Second, don’t be afraid to think outside of the box with your home office ideas. She loved this living room armchair so we decided to use that as her desk chair. Not only was it extremely comfortable on her bad back, but I think it also looks like a designer piece.

I don’t think that home office design can get any better than this.  Rich walnut panelled walls and ceilings, built in bookcases, and traditional marble fireplace create a classic foundation for the room. The owners added their unique personality to the home office decor through finishing touches such as gorgeous antique tapestry rugs, beautiful light fixtures, and pops of color in the artwork. I am in the middle of redecorating my home office and am using this room for inspiration.  We are installing a similar panelled trim on the walls, except painting it white to match the rest of our home decor.

With today’s career flexibility and telecommute jobs, the modern home office is more important than ever. Because so many people spend the majority of their day in this space it is important to make the room as beautiful as it is functional.  The first place to begin is with home office storage.  This can be in the form of a large executive desk, built in bookshelves, or filing cabinets.  This designer hid filing cabinets in these cleverly designed contemporary style side bar. What looks like an elegant piece of furniture, actually houses the homeowners business files.  It is also important that your home office has a relaxing color palette. You don’t want to be distracted from your work by a bright bold wall color that is not calming or visually appealing.