41 Home Office Ideas for Creating a Stylish Workspace

Build your dream home office with these decor, storage, and organization ideas.

home office with green walls
Photo:

Kim Cornelison

Working from home has become a common practice; however, finding the right home office ideas to create a space to do that can be a job all on its own. Whether you have an entire room dedicated to a home office or you're working with minimal space, your work area should be functional, organized, and decorated to fit your needs and personality.

Consider adding function and implementing our most creative storage solutions to keep your desk area tidy. We're sharing our best home office ideas to help you get the most out of your WFH space.

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Stylish Home Office

home office with dark accent wall
Ali Harper

If you aren't the only one spending time in your home office, you'll want to ensure it is comfortably styled for your guests or clients. This modern home office has a black feature wall and white shiplap detailing. A nearby closet is a perfect storage opportunity to maximize your desk space with current projects.

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Paint an Accent Wall

home office with green walls

Kim Cornelison

This long desk is a smart home office idea that offers plenty of workspace for two or more people, and a bold green accent wall draws the eye away from any desktop clutter that accumulates throughout the day. A convenient file cabinet keeps mail, bills, and work essentials organized and hidden, allowing stylish details to fill the tabletop and blend with the living room, which connects via glass sliding doors.

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Minimal Decor

home office in black and white with colorful rug
Laurey Glenn

A home office's primary purpose is to get work done. Don't over-complicate or over-decorate this area, as it can be distracting when performing daily tasks. Use baskets and desk drawers to hide away necessary items, and opt for neutral colors and simple decor.

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Colorful Wallpaper

pink christmas office

Werner Straube

For a boost of inspiration and creativity, consider adding brightly patterned wallpaper for a colorful home office idea. This is a simple way to completely transform the feel of a space with only a couple of supplies. Break up the busyness of the wallpaper with simple bookshelves and decor of the same color scheme.

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Cloffice Conversion

Cloffice space

David A Land

A cloffice (a closet-turned-office) is the perfect home office idea for apartments or homes with limited square footage. Slide a small desk into an unused closet and add some shelves for storage and decor. Add a fresh coat of paint or colorful wallpaper to personalize this space even more. Treat the closet doors as a timecard and shut them when you're ready to clock out at the end of the day.

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Space-Saving Floating Desk

floating minimalist office desk shelves pink black white rose gold accents
Jay Wilde

To make a blank wall more functional, install a sleek floating desk. This design offers enough space for a computer, notebook, and bulletin board for pinning up notes and inspiration. To make the desk blend into the wall, paint it the same shade as your wall and pair it with a short stool instead of a heavy-duty desk chair. This way, the stool can slide inconspicuously under the desk without taking up too much space.

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Functional Wall Space

Office wall storage

Edmund Barr

Clear desk, clear mind. Keep your workspace clutter-free by utilizing all the open wall space near your desk. Work can be overwhelming, even without all the cluttered paperwork. Avoid a jumble of documents and files by dedicating the wall beside your desk to wire baskets, shelves, and more.

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Green Living

blue wall with wood desk and white curtains

Adam Albright

Natural light has many benefits, including boosting your mood and increasing productivity. Consider these facts when looking for the ideal spot to establish your home office. Brighten the mood even more by decorating with houseplants and neutral decor elements.

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Vertical Space

rolling craft storage desk stool corner office mood board
Adam Albright

Taking advantage of vertical space in the room, an adjustable shelving unit lines this office wall. Outfitted with plenty of storage containers, this home office idea holds a lot while maintaining a sense of order. Removing everyday office items from the desktop frees the work surface from clutter. As your family changes and grows, the adjustable shelves can move to fit your storage needs.

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Pretty Organizers

organized home office decor

Adam Albright

Get organized in style with help from stylish home office ideas for storage solutions and decorative labels. Let a customized calendar and file folders plated in gold keep you on top of your daily tasks. Finish your workstation with small dishes to keep track of small supplies and a metallic cup to hold your pens and pencils.

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Vintage Design

blue desk with floral chair office

Better Homes & Gardens

After the owner gave the surface of this vintage vanity a paint makeover, they put it to good use as a small work station. Perfect for a family without a lot of spare space, this desk sits up against the wall and has plenty of drawer storage. Above, a single shelf holds a bulletin board for important notes and a few decor elements for personality. If needed, baskets or bins could easily slide under the desk for even more storage.

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Labeled Files and Containers

petite bookshelf desk combination
Jason Donnelly

Cardboard photo boxes and magazine holders—bought in muted colors to match the room's decor—store important documents in a safe space. Labels on the storage boxes make it easy to stay organized as you dig through your belongings throughout the year.

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Portable Desk Convenience

home office view from above

Marty Baldwin

Not every home has a designated office space to make working from home easy. But, creating a portable office is a clever home office idea that's as simple as finding a server tray that fits all of your daily supplies. Now, you can pick up your home office and move it to the kitchen, living room, front porch, or anywhere else in the house you want to be productive. Using a pretty tray, this functional storage solution will elevate any makeshift office space.

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Bulletin Board Storage

light blue room with desk

Adam Albright

Bulletin boards are the standard and easy way to declutter and organize papers, documents, and mementos. They're simple to hang, so they're a popular household go-to. Add visual interest to your home office by choosing multiple bulletin boards instead of one large one. This will break up the space and make organizing even easier.

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Antique Touches

hall built-in bookcase
Carmel Brantley

If you have a good amount of storage space but not a lot of work items to fill it with, take the opportunity to decorate to your heart's desire. This small office space features a bookcase filled with antique books that bring a sense of warmth to a monochromatic room.

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Multipurpose Furniture

Drawing table home office

John Granen

This pretty and practical home office idea makes work time enjoyable. A modular desk unit (consisting of separate base cabinets, a corner desk, and a hutch) offers plenty of counter and storage space. The separate pieces are perfect for families because they're easily rearranged. Keep track of what you've stored in the many drawers with hand-written labels for a personal touch.

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Functional Office Lighting

bright home office

Adam Albright

While natural light is a plus when finding a place to call your home office, the sun always sets at the end of the day. If you typically work later in the afternoon or don't work the typical 9 to 5, find lighting solutions that work for you. A portable lamp and decorative wall sconce are home office ideas that provide extra light.

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Rustic Home Office

wood panelled home office with two wicker chairs
John Merkl

Here, a cozy home office idea is set up as a family's go-to location for homework and working remotely. The charming work area uses elements found around the house to maximize its storage and style potential. On the walls, custom industrial-style shelves proudly display family mementos among office supplies. File cabinets under the desk hide large and unsightly supplies such as cords, files, and bulky electronics.

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Customizable Storage and Decor

home office

Edmund Barr

Allow yourself to switch things up whenever you want with the flexibility of adding pegboard wall paneling. Choose to set wooden shelves atop the pegs, hang scissors by a single peg, or get creative and find ways to decorate with your office supplies. The great thing about this home office idea is you can rearrange them to fit your changing lifestyle and home office needs.

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Secret Sliding Door Office

Office floating shelves

Kritsada Panichgul

Look to unique areas of the home that don't get a lot of use and can be easily transformed into your workspace if you don't have a dedicated space or room for a home office. Clear out that closet you shoved old clothes in that you always thought you'd wear again but haven't touched for years. Install shelving, outlets, and a desk for a hideaway office that doesn't take up any space.

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Consider a Secretary Desk

ivory secretary desk with pink chair
John Bessler

An antique secretary desk is a home office idea that's equally beautiful and functional. With enough storage to hide all your office supplies, it also opens up to reveal more storage inside the writing area. If you are planning always to keep the fold-down desk open, personalize it with decor that speaks to your interior design style.

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Separate Work Stations

corner office desk with shelves

Kim Cornelison

If you have the room, incorporate separate workstations into your office. Keep your computer equipment in one area to finish work, and make an area for completing family tasks like bills at another. Here, the two workspaces are connected by floating shelves that wrap around the corner. The desks are close enough so the homeowner can move seamlessly from one space to another.

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Personalize Your Home Office

personalized office decor

Steven McDonald

A simple and meaningful home office idea is to display photos of the ones you love the most. Hang images on your bulletin board or frame them and set them on the desk so you have a loving reminder every time you glance away from your work.

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Home Office Shelving

office bookshelf ladder pillows
Joyelle West

To maintain organization in your office, keep important documents together, properly labeled, and easily accessible. Install open shelving on an entire wall and place organizational containers strategically, keeping the ones you'll need most frequently at arm's reach and lesser-used items up higher.

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Functional Home Office Ideas

home office desk with bookshelves

Brie Williams

Rather than shoving your desk against a wall, make use of every angle. This stylish yet functional desk creates both a room divider and a three-sided storage solution. This is a great option for homeowners who work with a partner or clients from home and need extra seating on the opposite side of the desk. Bookshelves flank the desk on two sides for plenty of storage.

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Chalkboard Office Decor

home office with chalk wall

Helen Norman

Magnetic chalkboard paint was applied to the back wall of this small workspace, allowing magnets to display photos and mementos from vacations and special events. The chalkboard surface makes a designated spot for jotting down important notes or for drawing quick doodles. Labeled storage surrounding the desk keeps work essentials in order.

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Vintage Desk Decor

home office room

Adam Albright

If you have an entire room and ample storage space dedicated to your home office, opt for a simple yet stunning vintage table for your desk. Any antique or heirloom piece will add a timeless look to your office when used as a desk, adding character to the space. Utilize shelves and storage in other places of your home office to keep the room's focal point clear and organized.

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Houseplant Hangout

plant office decor

Jason Donnelly

Add a splash of color to your home office space with various houseplants. Repurpose what once was an underutilized shelf by keeping the brackets and replacing the shelf with a wooden rod. Hanging houseplants is a home office idea that will evoke a sense of happiness and add character to your office.

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High and Low Storage

built in bookshelves in home office

Ryann Ford

Take advantage of vertical storage with built-in bookshelves. Store the items you're most likely to use at arm's reach while reserving high shelves for books with less action and low shelves for heavier books. Your library is an intimate reflection of your personality, so for this home office idea, intersperse photos, artwork, or other interesting items for a personal display.

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Butler's Pantry Transformation

home office decor

Adam Albright

A butler's pantry is a space off the kitchen or dining area with extra storage for ingredients, snacks, dinnerware, and more. If you can't fill this space with what it is made for, transform it into a home office. Since this space is likely already equipped with cabinets and shelves, all you have to do is add an office chair and decorate it to your liking.

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Know Your Needs

office with desk and blue wall

Nicolas Gourguechon

Before designing your office, evaluate how it will be used. If you need a lot of open space to spread out your work, incorporate a large desk into your design. If you have the space, place the desk away from the wall so a decorative background is behind you on video calls.

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Kids Office Space

kids office space desks and chairs

Edmund Barr

This home office is the perfect fit for a busy family. A line of matching desks and mix-and-match modular storage units line the walls, keeping the room open and providing plenty of workspace for each family member. The desks and wall organizers can be configured to store just about anything. Metal buckets hanging from mounted rods corral pens, markers, scissors, and more for creative work. Bulletin boards give each child a place to showcase homework, report cards, and artwork.

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Craft Room Decor

white home office desk

Kim Cornelison

Here, a space-conscious crafting desk—free from bulky electronics—is a home office idea that works well in a double-duty room. The desk has a simple yet stunning frame that can double as an inspiration board when planning future projects. Next to the workspace, a custom storage unit has designated spots for a sewing machine, scrap fabrics, and wrapping paper.

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Living Room Office

home office with blue walls

Edward Gohlich

This small living room can accommodate work, relaxation, and entertainment without feeling disorganized. A clever furniture arrangement left one of the walls open for a smart corner office. The floating wood desk leaves room underneath for storage bins and baskets. A floating shelf near the sofa displays artwork and holds art supplies.

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Small Office Decor

office desk detail galvanized storage caddy glasses tags rubber bands
John Granen

A vintage silverware caddy keeps small items separated and contained on a desk surface. Fill the caddy with containers to hold everyday items, such as paper clips, pens, or notes. With everything held neatly together, your workspace will look significantly less cluttered. Plus, if you wish to work in another room, the caddy makes it easy to tote your supplies around the house.

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Stationery Desk Ideas

office décor desk lamp flower
Nicholas Gourguechon

Nothing is more sincere than a handwritten letter, no matter the occasion. Create the most nostalgic stationery corner with a desk dedicated to just that. It doesn't require much space to gather envelopes, stamps, cards, and a few pens. Decorate this meaningful area with photos from past travels and postcards you've received.

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DIY Bulletin Board

home office wall storage

Adam Albright

Memo boards provide a personal touch and can be conveniently hung near a desk area to display photos, invites, and mementos. To make this home office idea, find antique shutters at your local thrift store and give them a much-needed paint job. Then, hang them on the wall and use the slots to pin up paper items. Employ hooks to attach pencil cups for your storage needs.

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Double Duty Decor

office with wood desks

WERNER STRAUBE

Two separate hutches with fold-down desks provide the perfect amount of storage for the small room. Here, two school-aged children have designated spots for homework and studying. Loaded with plenty of cabinet space, there is room to store even bulky supplies for making posters and projects. When not used, the kids can fold up their desk doors to hide any cluttered school supplies.

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Office Nook

home office nook

Brian McWeeney 

A bonus to this handsome and handy living room? A built-in workstation! A cluttered closet was converted into an extra workspace by removing the doors and installing inexpensive floating shelves at waist height. Two smaller shelves above can be used for additional storage or as a place to display favorite finds. A can light above the desk is a home office idea that makes the area well-lit for late-night study sessions.

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Small Home Office Decor

home office in small room with red chair

David Tsay

This small spare room fills a big-time role as a home office. To keep the room from feeling cluttered, the designer chose appropriate-size furniture, simple accessories, and smart storage units. A soft color palette and white-painted walls reflect light and make the room seem larger. A cozy rug makes the space feel like home, and a sliding barn door maximizes the room's small layout.

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Hidden Home Office

small-space hideaway desk bench mood board shelves cabinets
Nicole LaMotte

Try leveraging a closet or wall of cabinets to create an efficient yet incognito workspace. Reposition shelving to make room for files, computer equipment, and reference books. Take advantage of empty wall space by installing a magnetic or corkboard behind the desk. The best part? When work is done, hide the office behind closed doors.

More Clever Home Office Ideas

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