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Inspiration & Tips/Interior design tips/Decorate a small home office
A small home office with design letter diary, weekly planner and water bottle.

Decorate a small home office – details to make your working day easier

Working from home has become the norm for many, meaning there are a lot of us who now need to create a professional workplace at home. Transform your home office into a more pleasant place to work with our five tips on how to decorate and organise in a small space with both stylish and smart items.
Tuesday 23rd August 2022
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Home office ideaa: 7 essential tips

If you’re looking for home office ideas, creating a workspace that is both functional and inviting starts with getting the basics right. Whether you have a dedicated room or are working with a small home office, these seven tips will help you create a comfortable and stylish space.

1. Choose a desk with enough workspace

A good desk is the foundation of any home office. Choose a size and shape that gives you enough space to work comfortably without overwhelming the room. For small home office ideas, consider a compact desk that makes efficient use of the available space.

2. Invest in a comfortable office chair

An ergonomic office chair with good back support can make a significant difference when you spend long periods at your desk. Choose a chair that combines comfort with a design that complements the rest of your home office interior.

3. Make the most of good lighting

Natural light can make your workspace feel brighter and more pleasant, so position your desk near a window where possible. Supplement it with suitable home office lighting, such as a desk lamp or adjustable floor lamp, to provide comfortable light when working in the evening.

4. Keep your home office organised

Good storage is essential for creating a calm and productive workspace. Shelves, drawers, storage boxes and desk organisers can help keep everything you need close at hand while keeping clutter out of sight. Clever home office storage ideas are particularly useful in smaller spaces.

5. Choose calming colours and natural materials

Your surroundings can have a big impact on how your workspace feels. Natural materials such as wood, linen and woven textures can create a warm atmosphere, while soft, neutral colours can help make your office feel calm and inviting. For more character, consider home office wall colours that complement the rest of your interior.

6. Add personality with plants and decor

Your home office should feel like part of your home rather than a purely functional workspace. Add plants, artwork, photographs and carefully chosen accessories to create a space that feels personal. A few pieces of home office wall decor can make a particularly big difference without taking up valuable desk space.

7. Create a clear boundary between work and home

If your home office is part of a bedroom, living room or another multifunctional space, try to visually separate your workspace from the rest of the room. A rug, shelving unit, room divider or simply a well-defined desk area can help create a sense of separation.

By combining practical home office design ideas with thoughtful furniture, lighting, storage and decor, you can create a workspace that is comfortable, organised and stylish. Whether you’re furnishing a dedicated room or looking for small home office ideas, the key is to make the most of the space you have.

 
 
 
Minimalist home office with a wooden desk, chair, and lamp, overlooking green outdoor foliage.

Where should you set up a home office?

Before choosing furniture, it’s worth carefully considering where to set up your home office. The right location can influence your concentration, well-being and how you use the space.

Ideally, choose a quiet area with plenty of natural light. Position your desk to the side of a window where possible to avoid glare on your screen while still benefiting from a bright working environment.

If you don’t have a separate study, there are plenty of home office ideas for making use of the space you already have. A free wall in the living room, a nook in the bedroom or a space under the stairs can all become practical workspaces. This can be particularly useful for small home office ideas.

Try to visually separate your workspace from the rest of the room with a shelf, rug or different wall colour. Also, make sure there is enough space to move around comfortably. A tidy, well-organised workspace will feel more spacious and make it easier to concentrate.

1. Choosing the right desk

The desk is the centrepiece of any home office. Choose one that suits your working habits and provides enough space for everything you need throughout the day.

If you mainly work on a laptop, a compact desk may be enough. If you use multiple screens or regularly work with documents, opt for a larger desk with plenty of workspace and storage.

Height-adjustable desks are a popular home office ideas, allowing you to switch between sitting and standing throughout the day. This can encourage a more varied working position and help reduce strain on your back and shoulders.

The material and design also matter. Solid wood adds warmth and a natural feel, while lighter surfaces can make a room appear more spacious. Simple, timeless designs work particularly well when your home office is part of a living area.

Finally, consider the size of the room. A desk that is too large can overwhelm a small space, while one that is too small may quickly become impractical. The key is finding the right balance between functionality and proportions.

    2. Finding the right office chair

    An ergonomic office chair is one of the most important investments for your home office, especially if you spend several hours at your desk each day. Good support helps prevent stiffness and keeps you comfortable throughout the working day.

    Look for a chair with an adjustable seat height and backrest so you can adapt it to your body. Good lumbar support helps reduce strain on your back, while armrests can keep your shoulders relaxed. Breathable materials can also make sitting more comfortable.

    Of course, an office chair should also suit your interior. Clean lines, quality materials and a timeless design allow it to blend naturally into your home while combining functionality with Scandinavian style.

    Tip: Keep your feet flat on the floor, with your thighs and calves forming roughly a right angle. This creates a more ergonomic sitting position and helps reduce strain on your body.

      3. The right lighting for your home office

      Good lighting is essential for a comfortable home office. It can reduce eye strain, support concentration and create an atmosphere that makes you feel at ease.

      Make the most of natural daylight by positioning your workspace near a window where possible. Avoid direct sunlight on your screen, however, as glare can put unnecessary strain on your eyes.

      A good desk lamp provides focused light exactly where you need it. Choose a model with an adjustable arm or swivelling head, and consider a dimmable lamp so you can adapt the light throughout the day.

      Combine task lighting with general room lighting for a balanced effect. A ceiling light, indirect lighting or a rechargeable table lamp can help prevent harsh contrasts between your screen and the surrounding space.

      Read more:

      Which desk lamp is best?

      The best desk lamp combines practical features with timeless design. When choosing a lamp for your home office, look for:

      • Glare-free light
      • An adjustable lamp arm or head
      • Dimmable brightness
      • Energy-efficient LED technology
      • A comfortable light colour, from warm white to neutral white

      Cordless table lamps are particularly versatile. They can be moved wherever you need extra light – not only on your desk, but also on a shelf or sideboard.

        4. Keep your home office organised

        A tidy workspace is proven to have a calming effect and helps you to focus on what matters most. At the same time, it makes it easier to find documents and work materials quickly when needed.

        When setting up your office, consider which items you need on a daily basis and what can be stored away from your immediate workspace.

        Open shelves are ideal for books, files or your favourite decorative items. Closed boxes and baskets, on the other hand, create calm and make the room appear tidier.

        Particularly practical items include:

        The fewer items that are permanently left on your desk, the more spacious and tranquil your workspace will feel.

        Read more here: Organise your home – tips to help you declutter

        Desk organizer with beige containers holding scissors, notebooks, and clips. A note reads "Jeg gør det i morgen".

        Organising your desk – less is more

        A tidy desk not only keeps things organised, but also makes it easier to concentrate on your work. For each item, ask yourself whether you really need it every day. Everything else can be tucked away in drawers or storage boxes.

        Useful items include:

        • Pen holder
        • Notepad
        • Calendar
        • Letter tray
        • Desk mat
        • Monitor stand
        • Cable organiser

        Complement these functional items with a few carefully chosen accessories – such as a small vase, a candle holder or a wooden figurines. This gives your workspace a personal touch without making it look cluttered.

          Cable management – small details with a big impact

          Loose cables are one of the most common reasons why a workspace looks untidy.

          You can remedy this with some simple and smart home office ideas:

          • A cable box to conceal power strips.
          • Cable clips keep charging cables neatly organised across the desk.
          • Cable sleeves bundle several cables together.
          • Cable guides under the desk ensure plenty of leg room.

          Cable management contributes significantly to a calmer feeling overall in your home office and makes cleaning easier.

            Wastepaper bins and other handy items

            It’s the little things that make all the difference to how comfortable your workplace feels on a day-to-day basis, especially if you have a small home office space.

            A wastepaper bin is a staple of any home office and should be easily accessible without getting in the way. In addition, scissors, a hole punch, a stapler or a filing tray for important documents make day-to-day work easier.

            Where possible, choose accessories made from similar materials or in a coordinated colour scheme. This gives your home office ideas a more harmonious feel.

              5. Making clever use of shelves

              Shelves are among the most versatile pieces of furniture in a home office. They provide extra storage space without taking up valuable work surface area, whilst also allowing you to add a decorative touch.

              Folders, books and documents can be stored here just as easily as vases, pictures or design objects. A balanced mix of functional and decorative elements ensures that the shelf looks lively without appearing cluttered.

              Modular shelving systems like String can be flexibly expanded and adapted to changing needs – an ideal solution as your home office evolves over time.

              Read more here:

                6. Colours and materials for your home office

                The design of your home office influences not only its appearance but also its atmosphere. Light colours make small rooms appear more spacious and reflect daylight particularly well. Natural tones such as beige, sand or warm grey create a calm backdrop, whilst accents can bring depth to the room.

                Natural materials also play an important role in the Scandinavian interior design style, particularly when it comes to home office ideas. Wood, linen, wool and ceramics lend the office warmth and create a homely atmosphere. Combined with clean lines, this results in a timeless workspace that exudes tranquillity whilst also proving inspiring.

                Wall décor should be deliberately understated. A large piece of art, a few framed photographs or a simple wall shelf add highlights without overloading the space. This keeps the focus where it belongs: on a workspace where it’s easy to concentrate.

                Read more here:

                A tall green plant in a black ribbed pot on legs, next to a large framed print of a person with a crumpled paper face, and two abstract wall prints.

                7. Plants bring life to the home office

                Plants are far more than just a decorative addition in your home office. They bring vitality to the workplace and provide a harmonious contrast to screens, technology and linear furniture. Even a single potted plant on your desk or a larger pot next to a shelf can make the room feel significantly more homely.

                Plants such as the Monstera, pothos, snake plant and Zamioculcas are particularly easy to care for. They thrive even in low light and are ideal for the home office.

                Combine plants with simple flower pots made of ceramic or natural materials for a look that fits perfectly with the Scandinavian interior design style. 

                Green plant in black rectangular planter on a stand against striped wall with black shelves displaying decor and books.

                  Modern home office: light wood shelving system with desk, black stool, and decor. Sunlight casts shadows.

                  @mathildasinterior

                  Ideas for a small home office

                  Not everyone has a separate room to create a home office. However, with a well-thought-out layout, it is possible to create a functional workspace even in a small area of just a few square metres.

                  Narrow desks and wall shelves make the best use of the available space. Multifunctional furniture is also a good choice – such as a writing desk that can be closed at the end of the working day, or a sideboard that doubles as a work surface.

                  Light colours, natural materials and a few carefully chosen pieces of furniture ensure that small rooms feel open and spacious. At the same time, keeping things tidy helps to maintain a calm and organised workspace.

                  Tip: Make the most of the room’s height. Wall shelves provide extra storage space without taking up valuable floor space.

                  How can you work effectively from home?

                  A well-organised home office lays the foundation for productive work – but established routines are just as important. Structure helps you to stay focused and to separate your work life from your private life. Here are a few ideas to help making working from home easier:

                  1. Set fixed working hours

                  Where possible, start and finish your working day at fixed times. This creates a clear rhythm and makes it easier to really switch off at the end of the day.

                  2. Use your workspace consciously

                  Always work in the same place. This way, your brain automatically associates this space with concentration and productivity.

                  3. Take regular breaks

                  Short breaks to move around boost concentration and prevent tension. Even a few minutes of stretching or a short walk can give you a new burst of energy.

                  4. Alternate between sitting and standing

                  If you use a height-adjustable desk, change your position regularly. This relieves strain on your back and shoulders and stimulates circulation.

                  5. Reduce distractions

                  A tidy workspace, notifications turned off and clear priorities help you stay focused.

                  6. Make the most of natural light

                  Daylight supports your natural circadian rhythm and helps you feel more alert and focused.

                  Common mistakes when setting up a home office

                  Even high-quality furniture only fulfils its potential if it is used sensibly. These mistakes are easy to avoid:

                  • The desk is positioned directly in front of the window and the screen is causing a glare.
                  • The office chair is not adjusted correctly.
                  • There is not enough storage space for documents.
                  • The lighting consists solely of a ceiling light.
                  • Too many decorative items create a cluttered look.
                  • Cables are left lying visibly on the floor or desk.
                  • The workspace isn’t tidied away even after work.

                  Even small changes can significantly improve the comfort and functionality of your home office.

                  Decorate your home office with a classic notice board for all your important notes. We love this pin board from Ferm Living.

                  Home office ideas that will inspire you

                  A well-designed home office is more than just a functional workspace – it is a place where ideas take shape, projects flourish and focused work is should be a pleasure. With a carefully considered combination of ergonomic furniture, lighting and clever storage solutions, you can create an environment that conveys structure and tranquillity.

                  At the same time, functionality needn’t come at the expense of comfort. Natural materials, timeless design and carefully chosen details give your home office a personal touch and make it a place you’ll enjoy spending time in, day after day. After all, the best workspaces are those that feel just as good as they look.

                  Read more here:

                  Anja Wahnig
                  Author

                  DECORATE A SMALL HOME OFFICE

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