How To Design a Small Home Office for Better Productivity

It seems work-from-home is here to stay. With a dramatic rise in hybrid and remote job, many workers are creating a productive and focused space that works in harmony with family, pets, and other distractions in the home. Whether you’re creating a workspace in the bedroom, attic, or another small nook, we’ve got tips to set up your space for style, function, and versatility.

How To Maximize Small Offices

Multipurpose Furniture

Research shows there should be at least 36-inches between each piece of furniture to create good flow in a room. But it’s not easy to follow this rule in a small room. Pare down the amount of furniture in your space with multifunctional pieces.

Desks With Drawers & Shelves:

By building storage right into the desk, you can keep clutter minimal. Here are some common types of storage desks:

- Ladder Desks

- Hutch Desks

- Corner Desks

- L-Shape Desks

- Bookcase Desks

Hideaway & Incognito Desks:

Like a murphy bed, these desks are designed to be hidden in plain sight. Here are some common types of hidden desks:

- Folding Desks

- Secretary Desks

- Floating Desks

- Murphy Desks

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Storage Ottomans & Benches:

Secure extra seating and storage for in-person meetings. This two-in-one solution also serves as functional decor.

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Vertical Storage To Use Wall Space

When you have a small room, you must use whatever you have efficiently — including your walls. Not only is it more space for storage, but styling your vertical space also plays a major role in your office’s atmosphere.

Floating Shelves:

Available in varying sizes and materials, floating shelves can be beautifully arranged.

Wall Baskets:

Add texture, visual interest, and storage with hanging baskets.

Magazine Holders:

Not just for magazines, these holders are great for storing thin binders, files, folders, and paperwork.

Bulletin Boards:

Save your big ideas, to-do lists, and more on this versatile piece. Choose from a variety of materials, colors, and shapes. Some even have pots and shelves built in for a more stylized look.

Floor-to-Ceiling Bookcases

Whether custom-made or store-bought, tall bookcases raise the eyes, creating the illusion of more space and taller ceilings. Plus, it serves as a great backdrop to all your video conference calls.

Sconces & Pendants:

Save space on your desk and floor by installing lighting on the wall or ceiling. Sconces and pendants are made in a variety of styles.

Wall Cabinets:

Although they require a good amount of wall space, you can make wall cabinets blend in subtly by painting them the same color as your walls and ceilings.

Over-the-Door Organizers:

Often overlooked, the space behind your door is excellent for adding more storage with wall hooks, wall baskets, and bulletin boards.

How To Choose Paint and Wallpaper for Small Offices

Stepping into your office space should elicit creativity and productivity. Here are mood-boosting options that interior designers recommend:

Wall Paint

The color of your walls should reflect your personality and brand. To help you make your choice, here are common moods and feelings associated with popular paint options. Remember to get multiple color swatches before making your ultimate decision on the exact hue.

Red can feel energizing but can induce anxiety for some.

Blue can feel calming and secure but can also induce sadness or sleep.

Yellow can feel joyful and innovative but can feel overwhelming for some.

Gray can be a neutral, safe, and gentle color, but it may make the space feel sterile.

Green can feel refreshing and grounding, but some shades may disrupt concentration.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper is enjoying a renaissance among those who want to spruce up their workspace without the mess of painting. See how you use it to create an arresting setup:

Accent Walls:

Contrary to popular belief, accent walls don’t have to take up a whole wall. Use wallpaper in one section to visually delineate your corner office from the rest of the room or add it above or below the dado line for a touch of visual interest.

Contrasting Walls:

Excellent for narrow rooms, this technique helps eliminate tunnel vision by refocusing the eyes on the wallpaper and other wall art and decor.

Wallpaper Drenching:

Like color drenching, the wallpaper flows seamlessly from the wall across the ceiling to create an illusion of higher ceilings and a spacious room.

How To Accessorize a Small Office

When it comes to decorating a small office, less is more. Pick a few items that resonate with you. Here are other choices that brighten your space without adding excessive clutter:

Lighting

A well-lit space awakens and energizes everyone. Whether it’s natural lighting or synthetic lamps, we recommend selecting light fixtures that inspire and complement your room’s style.

For a small home office, consider lamps with flexible or swing arms to add depth to the space and help you get proper lighting wherever you are. Or consider ceiling fixtures like a bubble-shaped pendant that adds an elegant focal point.

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Plants & Greenery

Nature invokes creativity and a sense of grounding. To create some calm, and add fresh air to the room, consider these ways to style plants in your home office:

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Hanging plants are a great way to move the eyes upwards, creating a sense of space.

Place a tall plant at the end of your desk as a focal point.

Stretch the branches of a vine plant across the wall to create depth and texture.

Line potted plants at varying heights and styles on shelves, windowsills, and your desk.

Mirrors & Artwork

By guiding the eyes to different parts of the room, mirrors and wall art can make your room seem larger and airier. Consider these styling tips for framed decor:

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Place a mirror on the opposite wall of your window so natural light can reflect into the room and make your space feel bigger and brighter.

Don’t have a window? Place a mirror behind a lamp or consider making a faux window with a mirror and a frame.

Place large artwork at eye level and smaller artwork closer to the ceiling. This tricks the brain into thinking the artwork is smaller because the ceiling is higher.

Refresh Your Workspace at Furniture.com

Bring your small space to life when you use the right furniture and decor to add function and beauty. Find everything you need at furniture.com, from space-saving storage to multipurpose furniture.

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