Office
39 Office Decorating Ideas for an Inspiring Space
Work-from-home life has made us all familiar with the ins and outs of what makes an ideal office. You’re probably an expert on picking the perfect Zoom background by now! Off the screen, though, there’s still plenty to consider when it comes to designing your space. We’ve come up with 39 office decorating ideas to inspire your workday.
Home Office Theme Ideas
Setting the scene for a productive workday is an important job of your home office. Here are some of our favorite themes to inspire your workspace.
1. Modern
Clean lines, sleek surfaces and a simple approach define modern design. This is ideal in your office if you prefer a fuss-free take on your interiors and love a space that helps you get into the zone.
2. Minimalist
Similar to modern design, a minimalist theme focuses on keeping things simple and clean. We recommend this style if you’re working with a small office or another room in your home serves as your at-home office. Incorporate natural hues to keep your space focused on work.
3. Inspirational
For an extra burst of inspiration, bright decor can keep your creative juices flowing. Opt for whimsical artwork and encouraging mantras around your office.
4. Light and Bright
We love to focus on natural light in any space, and thankfully, this is a theme that can go with any style. Set up your desk close to windows for the ultimate sunbathed workspace.
5. Comfy and Cozy
For long afternoons spent writing, a cozy office can help you settle in and focus. Opt for soft colors and plush upholstery.
6. Multipurpose
Multifunctional rooms are ideal if you live in a small apartment or house. Create a dual-purpose desk and vanity space in your bedroom by making the most of your storage and organization.
7. Corner Office
If you’re working toward a promotion or miss your days of working alongside your coworkers in an office building, replicating that corner office feel is the theme for you. Create a no-nonsense work zone that helps you focus on meeting deadlines.
8. Creative
On the other side of things, a space that promotes creativity and lets your imagination run wild can help you have some of your best ideas. Include fun shapes, bright colors and greenery to inspire your work every day.
Home Office Furniture and Decor Ideas
Once you have a theme established, get the basics taken care of. Shopping for the ideal furniture for your space will help you complete the rest of your office.
9. Pick Out the Ideal Desk
Your desk is the centerpiece of your office. It’s where all of your best ideas come to life and your focus can really shine through. Pick one out based on what works best for you and your space—simple, standing, lots of storage, you name it!
10. Pull Up a Chair
Every desk requires an ideal chair. Assess your needs: Do you want something that rolls or stays in one place? Adjustable height or a stool? Measure out your office as well so you know exactly what will fit. From there, pick your favorite upholstery and settle in for a productive day.
11. Stash Your Books
We know how important an inspiring book is. Keep your favorites (and some new titles) nearby on a bookshelf. Whenever you need a break or a spark of inspiration, sit down with your favorite title.
12. Create a Reading Nook
For avid readers that have plenty of office space, a reading nook is a dreamy idea. Pick out a cozy armchair, put a few throw pillows on it and drape a knit blanket over the arm—you’ll always have the perfect place to snuggle up with a good book when you need a brain break.
13. Display Your Degree
Being proud of your accomplishments is an important part of keeping you inspired and confident in your work. Display your degree (or degrees!) along the wall in your office in an elegant frame. Whenever you need a vote of confidence, admire how far you’ve come and get back to the grind.
14. Stand It Up
A standing desk that you use throughout the day can help spark inspiration and keep you from sitting for hours on end. We highly recommend getting a standing desk if you’re guilty of sitting for the full eight hours!
15. Put Up Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are some of our favorite pieces of functional decor. Whether you need to store practical items, like a clock and books you need close at hand, or want to display your favorite family snapshots for inspiration, floating shelves are easily installed wherever you have a bit of empty wall space.
16. Light Up Your Workspace
A desk lamp is an essential in any workspace. Whether you like a classic work lamp or prefer a more modern geometric light, take stock of how much room you have on your desk. There are plenty of low-profile lamps that can just tuck in the corner of your desk, taking up very little space.
17. Hang Motivating Wall Art
We believe that art is a must in every space, and your home office is no exception, even if you’re not in a creative field. Art can brighten up your space and make you excited to get your workday started. We recommend including a piece or two with some green, as this hue can promote concentration.
18. Keep It Fresh
After numerous desk lunches and countless mugs of coffee, your office can likely use a refresh. A candle or oil diffuser can help freshen up your space and keep it feeling clean.
19. Roll Out a Rug
A rug is one of our favorite ways to complete a space and make it yours. Whether you have room for a huge area rug or just a runner under your desk, pick out a pattern that coordinates with the rest of your home office style.
20. Take Notes
For long meetings or sparks of inspiration in the afternoon, having a spot close at hand to write down any great ideas is important. Bonus: Get a dry-erase notepad so you can reuse it every day.
21. Organize Your Week
We love to look at the big picture in addition to our daily to-do lists. Keep track of your obligations and meetings for the week on a dry-erase wall calendar. Jot down reminders to keep you on track.
22. Keep Track of the Little Things
Never lose track of the little things! A simple concept, we love arranging catchall dishes around an office for an extra place to stash whatever you need to put down. You can even keep one on hand for your bobby pins.
23. Make a Spot for Your Furry Best Friend
Let’s be honest—the best part of working from home is having your furry best friend by your side all day, every day. Make sure your favorite coworker has a cozy place to lounge while you put in long hours.
24. Keep Track of Time
A classic wall clock is one of our favorite looks in an office. Elegant and practical, opt for a style that complements your overall look.
25. Take a Coffee Break
We know how important a caffeine break is. Ensure that you can sip from your favorite mug in style with an elegant electric kettle. A pop of color and form with function!
Small Home Office Decorating Ideas
If you’ve just started working from home in the past year, we know you may not have a designated office space. You may also be sharing your office with someone. Here are some of our favorite tips for making the most of a small home office.
26. Divide It Up
Whether you’re sharing an office space with your partner, roommate or kids as they’re learning virtually, dividing up separate spaces will ensure everyone has room to get their work done. Get creative with bookshelves or long tables in between everyone’s desks—this way, you’ll have enough space to get your own work done, while also having the opportunity to collaborate.
27. Keep It Organized
Organization in any office is incredibly important, but its value gets turned up a notch in small spaces. Ensure you have a space for everything, from files and folders to all of your wires. If you don’t have a designated office space, be sure you designate a space for work things—this will help you maintain that all-important work-life balance.
28. Focus on Mobility
On the subject of multiuse spaces, we know many of you are potentially sharing workspaces with your children. As distance learning continues, flexibility is important. A mobile desk chair and workspace can help you make the most of everyone’s work time and keep your living room from turning into a full-time office.
29. Add Some Greenery
It’s known that plants are good for you—from air purification qualities to bringing in a little bit of nature, they can help you decorate your office. Opt for hanging planter baskets to make the most of every inch in your small home office.
30. Make It Multifunctional
A multifunctional approach for your office will ensure you make the most of every inch of space. A wall mirror with a small shelf and hooks will give you room to display a mini vase of flowers and also hang up your laptop bag.
31. Keep It Cool
If you don’t want to waste your AC on the rest of your home while you spend the day in your small office, a tabletop fan can help keep you cool. For the winter months, swap it out for a small space heater to save on your heating bills.
32. Keep It Low-Maintenance
We know it’s not always easy to keep a greenery alive and well if you regularly have long workdays. Make it easy with faux botanicals and a beautiful vase. You can swap out the botanicals every season to keep your decor interesting, but you won’t have to worry about keeping a plant alive!
33. Let the Light In
Natural light is important in any space, but especially in a small office, so don’t forget about making the most of your window treatments. You want plenty of light to keep you motivated and focused throughout the day, as well as plenty of privacy. A pair of sheer curtains allow plenty of light in, while also giving you enough privacy.
34. Sort and Organize
Keeping your desk organized is a must. If you have a small home office, you likely don’t have a giant desk, so every square inch is valuable. Small stacking drawers for your daily essentials will keep them at hand and sorted, without taking up too much desktop space.
35. Pick Sleek Storage
Having extra storage space in a small home office is important, but ensuring it’s as practical as possible will help you make the most of your space. Pick a sleek design that can double up for another purpose—for example, a small storage bin that can serve as an end table during your workday.
36. Always Keep Your Door Open
Whether you love to keep your office door open all day or work in a closet office (or “cloffice”), a doorstop is a useful accessory to have on hand. Plus, you can pick a style and color that fits the rest of your decor.
37. Get Creative with Wallpaper
Small offices can often feel smaller than they actually are. To bring a little extra life into your space, put up removable wallpaper. A fun pattern throughout the room or even just on one wall will help give the space definition and dimension.
38. Have Fun With Office Supplies
It’s the little things. Don’t be afraid to coordinate your office supplies with the rest of your decor. For example, if you love a muted tone, pastel notepads are for you. For a bolder look, opt for chrome supplies like a stapler or hole punch.
39. Lounge and Work
We know how it’s often too easy to work from the couch or your bed. For long hours lounging while you work, a lap desk to keep all of your work items close at hand can help keep you focused.
Whether you’re working with a designated home office space or sharing your living room with other members of your household, your home office decorating can have a big impact on your productivity and inspiration. From keeping your desk organized to arranging your furniture in the most productive way possible, use our tips and ideas to create your most inviting office.
