27 Best Home Office Decor Ideas to Keep You in the Zone
All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
If you’re constantly pinning and bookmarking home office decor ideas, we don’t blame you one bit. The importance of a well-appointed home office can’t be overstated. Whether it’s the place you spend your 9-to-5 or where you catch up on email in the evenings, it should be designed in a way that makes you want to be there. Because if not? You’ll either suffer through your work or simply avoid it.
1/27Choose a Desk That Suits Your Needs
“Everyone’s needs are so different,” says Anna Bond, cofounder and creative director of Rifle Paper Co. “One of my favorite things about a home office is how much fun you can have with a desk—there are so many options.” In her studio, she opts for a large dining table, which affords her enough room for working at her computer, reviewing products and samples, and painting. At home, however, she chose something smaller and more intimate. “The vibe is very cozy and warm.”
Emily Johnston2/27Make Your Walls Work for You
“I see work as a creative process, no matter what you do. It’s so easy to get bogged down and feel like you’re not moving the needle, so when you look up, you should see things that invigorate you. If you respond strongly to visual cues, go with formal artwork—I love Citizen Atelier’s selection. But if you’re more cerebrally motivated, you may be better off with typography prints. And when it comes to personal pieces to display, look to the ones that point to why you work so hard. Whether it’s inspiring samples of work from your colleagues, collaborations you’re especially proud of, or family photos, they should speak to the bigger picture of why you work,” says Anne Sage, the blogger and author of Sage Living.
3/27Visualize the Future—Literally
“I am a big believer in the power of a paper calendar or day planner. Even if you use a digital calendar for the nitty-gritty of your schedule, having a physical touchstone is enormous for organization, time management, and goal setting. I love Sugar Paper’s options for these. You may not write down every task or goal, but the big stuff should be in there—it will keep you accountable and motivated,” says Sage.
Emily Johnston4/27Throw Out Every Traditional Idea of What an Office “Needs” to Have
“Four walls and a traditional desk with drawers aren’t necessary. Yes, storage is one of the most important parts of a successful home office setup, but it can be on your own terms. I use small baskets—with holes in them—for my computer cables and cords. And when it comes to sectioning off an office if you don’t have an entire room for it, get creative. I love a long, low credenza or bookcase as a room divider—plus, it adds storage! Floor coverings can also be helpful—you can use one you love to section off your work area from the rest of the room. Just make sure it’s large enough so you’re not always tipping your chair’s legs over the edge,” says Sage.
Emily Johnston5/27Minimize Paper
“Minimize paper as much as you can! It’s so important to stay in touch with your finances, but when it comes to receipts and bills and paperwork, there’s no need to store that in your space physically. Digitize as much as possible. I use Camscanner to keep my files organized online—rather than floating around my office, which ultimately serves as a distraction,” says Sage.
Emily Johnston6/27Create the Right Lighting Mix
“Just like anything else, you have to experiment to find the right mix for you. My preference is for my home office to be well lit but not cold. Task lighting is great, but when I work with that alone, I start to feel like I’m Ebenezer Scrooge at my desk, accounting in one little puddle of light. When you add in a pendant light above, it creates a bright yet cozy ambience,” says Sage.
Emily Johnston7/27Choose the Right Chair
“An office chair is like a mattress: It’s one of those pieces where good engineering is going to have a major benefit to your comfort, and it’s absolutely worth spending more money on. Herman Miller chairs—new or vintage—are manufactured to be beautiful and extremely functional. Or try a vintage mid-century Danish dining chair—they’re generally designed to be ergonomically correct. It’s also worth mentioning that studies have shown that it’s not sitting or standing all day at work that’s better, it’s changing positions that’s best for your body and mental acuity. For me, working standing up at least some of the time is easier on my back and keeps me from feeling sleepy,” says Sage.
Emily Johnston8/27Add a Built-In Break
“It can be so useful to have something in your space that represents the mindset shift between work and a break—and I’m talking about a real break, not just doing something different on your computer. So maybe it’s setting aside a set of crossword puzzle books or the tools to do something physical—like stretch bands or a yoga mat in a cupboard so you can do a short workout as a break. It can also be as simple as orienting your desk toward a window, to represent the idea of taking a quick walk, which is my favorite option,” says Sage.
Emily Johnston9/27Bring In Life
“Any element of nature in your space is going to enhance the experience of being there. These pieces ground us and keep us in touch with the larger purpose of our work. But that doesn’t mean you automatically have to go with a houseplant—you can get that feeling with raw wood or crystals, if that’s more your style. Or for some people, this might just mean your pet!” says Sage.
10/27Accent With Brass
“A lot of the furniture you see here has accents of brass,” New York–based interior designer Amy Lau says. The bases of the console table and desk are rendered in the gleaming metal. The Innovations wall covering is flecked with a warm shimmer. “I was amazed at how fun and delicious these chairs from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams are. They have so much personality, and it really anchored this seating area.”
11/27Incorporate Vintage Finds
To give the work space a tranquil vibe, New York–based interior designer Jenny Wolf mixed a custom-made desk with vintage finds like French chairs from the Brimfield Antique Flea Market. She upholstered them with a Pyne Hollyhock chintz by Schumacher that is a reproduction of a 1962 design by Albert Hadley. “I have such an affinity with Hadley,” she says. The desk, devised by Wolf, features black-lacquered grass cloth with brass trim.
.jpg)
12/27Create a Balance
Wolf incorporated symmetry in her home office by pairing the two chairs and lamps that face her desk. “Balance puts me at ease,” she says. The Gustavian-style chest has a distressed patina and anchors the other end of the room. The original windows—framed by a Greek key valance and panels trimmed in grosgrain ribbon—let in a big dose of natural light.
Photo: Joshua McHugh13/27Paint the Walls
Paint can transform any space—even a small home office. Here, the entire space gets a serene feel thanks to the sky blue paint, while the black desk, lamp, frames, and accents keep it grown-up.
Photo: Marco Ricca14/27Don’t Sacrifice Form for Function
With the right seating arrangement, any work space can be chic. “Make sure that your office chair—as well as the furniture complementing it—has an identity of its own. That way it can become a functional but interesting focal point in the room,” says Mercedes Desio, the other half of Villalobos Desio.
Photo: Roger Davies15/27Mount Your Desk to a Wall to Save Space
If you're low on space, a wall-mounted desk is one of best solutions. This Ellwood-Lomax drop-front desk is in the living room of Malibu’s Steinman House, which was restored by Michael Boyd of BoydDesign, originally built by architects Craig Ellwood and Jerrold Lomax in 1956, and now owned by Holly and Albert Baril.
Photo: Marco Ricca16/27Maximize Wall Space
“Using built-ins and bookshelves helps delineate a small area. This also creates an opportunity to display work-related items and personal collectibles, making a strong focal point for a room,” says Alberto Villalobos, the architecturally minded designer behind Villalobos Desio in New York.
Photo: Marco Ricca17/27Forego Wires
“Let's face it: We need technology,” Villalobos says. “To save space, wireless is the way to go. Use a piece of furniture or a nearby closet to house bulky items such as printers and scanners to maintain a sleek, clean work space.”
Photo: Joshua McHugh18/27Make Furniture Do Double Duty
In a tight area, a desk can be used for more than just sending emails and writing to-do lists. “For bedrooms, we try to use a multipurpose desk that can serve as a work surface or a vanity to increase the functionality of the room,” says Desio.
Photo: Marco Ricca19/27Think Vertically
When there’s not enough width for a full shelving unit, Villalobos suggests heading onward and upward. “Take advantage of the height of a room,” he says. “You can maximize storage for documents, books, and other work-related goods, allowing you to utilize more of your desk space.”
Photo: Reid Rolls20/27Bookshelves Aren’t Just for Books
Throw in a few pieces of art, that sculptural tea kettle you found at the flea market, and perhaps even the football from the winning game you can’t seem to throw away.
KatarzynaBialasiewicz21/27Keep Your Color Palette Simple
Just pick one gorgeous hue and cover everything with it. Here, a teal accent wall sets the tone for the room, and that same color is used in accents around the room.
Photo: Nikolas Koenig22/27Add in Color
Sure, you can go with a neutral color palette. But you can also add bright pops of color to make the space come alive, just like in this home office in New York.
Photo: Pieter Estersohn23/27Wallpaper Your Office
Wallpaper can make a big impact, especially in a small office space. This tiny office in a Brooklyn family home is bursting with character thanks to the Zoffany wallpaper that covers it.
24/27Keep It Organized
The key to staying organized? Make sure you have a place for everything. You can utilize drawers, small bowls, trays, etc. to corral your pushpins, paper clips, stamps, thumb drives, and more. Pro tip: Go through your office on a regular basis and purge the things you don’t really need.
Photo: Dabito/Courtesy of Weldon Owen for Small Space Style25/27Go for the Green
Bring nature inside and let it inspire you. Gather up the best indoor plants and pepper your space with these mood-boosting and stress-reducing wonders.
imaginima27/27Throw In a Rug
Another one of the most transformational home office decor ideas is an area rug. This geometric rug livens up the room and makes work fun.
