Working from home? Here’s how to design the perfect home office

In the days before the Covid-19 pandemic put working from home firmly in the spotlight, including space in a new house for home office ideas might have been dismissed as an afterthought.

But with working from home now a new-normal rather than an occassional anomaly (statistics show that more than one-third of people regularly work from home), the humble study nook is moving up the ranks to become one of the most important rooms in the house.

For some, remote working is an opportunity to cut their commute and improve their work/life balance. Others say flexible work improves their productivity and efficiency. Whatever your reason for working from home, it’s important to make sure your home office design is functional, stylish and sets you up for success.

Planning your home office design

It’s essential to take time to plan when designing your office space.

If you are able to dedicate an entire room to working from home, you’ll have plenty of scope for bringing all your home office ideas to life. You might choose to include some more relaxed seating for work that requires more contemplation than computer use. Including a day bed or single bed might allow you to multi-task your room as a guest room on occasion.

If you don’t have the luxury of dedicating an entire room to your home office, consider a disused corner of a room or a landing that could be zoned off and function as a workspace. You might be surprised by what you can create with a well-placed screen or some built-in storage.

Our team are experts in small home office design, so if you’re not sure whether that space under the stairs will work for you, get in touch to talk through your ideas.

Check out design websites for home office ideas and inspiration, and make sure you factor in functional elements such as an ergonomic desk and chair, computers and other technical equipment.

Sketch out what you have in mind and include measurements of the space. Armed with a budget and a plan, you’re now ready to visit showrooms.

Designing your home office decor

There are two important factors to consider when decorating your home office – lighting and colour scheme.

While a good natural light source is ideal, it’s important to factor in where the sun will be at different times of the day and design your lighting strategy accordingly to prevent eye strain. In most cases, an adjustable overhead light is sufficient during the day; however, a small lamp may give more specific, directional light in the evening.

When it comes to choosing a colour for your home office, keep in mind that different hues can impact your mood, productivity, comfort and energy levels. For instance, a bright red feature wall might sound great in theory but could prove distracting if you’re forced to spend all day staring at it.

You will also need to factor in how the decor ties in with the rest of your home, particularly if your work space is only partially secluded from the main living areas. 

According to experts, colour is ultimately a personal choice and selecting a 'feel-good' colour can help you separate out work and living zones within your home.

Choosing your home office furniture

It can be tempting to shop for your home office furniture on looks alone, but it’s important to make your selections based on the requirements of your job and the dimensions of the space.

When choosing a desk, consider how much storage you’ll need and look for features such as a keyboard drawer to keep clutter and wires to a minimum. Corner desks are a great option if you’re short on space, just make sure it isn’t too deep. A good rule of thumb is to allow at least one metre of space in front of the desk so you can sit in your chair in comfort.

If you’ll be working from home for a considerable number of hours, the ergonomics of your desk and chair set up are extra important. Using a second screen and an external keyboard can make a big difference to your productivity and health. 

Other nice-to-haves

While work is your main priority when considering home office ideas, don’t forget about optional extras that can bring comfort, style and joy into your working from home office space. 

Prints and rugs can add a splash of colour. Plants can bring some much-needed greenery and calm into your working day. Warm lighting can help reduce some of the eye-strain that comes from working on a screen.

Keen on more ideas and advice on how to include office space into your new home? Please either check out our home designs, visit one of our display homes or call 1300 223 345 to chat with one of our expert consultants. 

FAQs

How can I make my home office cooler?

Heat doesn’t make for a happy worker so it’s important to consider ways to keep your home office temperature reasonable. If you don’t already have air-conditioning, is there space for a small split-system? Otherwise, a combination of fans can work wonders, including small USB-powered fans that can sit right on your desk. Thoughtful use of blinds, both internal and external, can help keep the sun from overheating your space.

What is the best room for a home office?

The best room for a home office is that one that you have available! Whether you have an entire room to dedicate to work or whether you need to get creative with a study-nook or partitioning a bigger room, you can use creative and practical home office ideas to feel ‘right at work’.