5 Tips to Consider For Home Office Decor Ideas

With work-at-home and hybrid schedules an ever-present fixture in our lives, it's time to invest in those forgotten nooks and unfinished basement spaces by turning them into the perfect home office!

Design by TRISHA ISABEY Photography by TREVOR COOPER

Home offices are a great addition to any home because they provide a quiet place to complete tasks, read, or work remotely. Whether you have an entire room dedicated to home office space or you've created an alcove off your master suite, we have a few ideas on how to carve out desk space to design a home office that you'll love. 

1. Planning Home Office Layout

The first step in any home renovation project is planning your layout! You want to create a space that's functional and fits your needs, which is where your office layout comes in. In this step, consider wall space, desk space, lighting, and outlets. 

You can start by choosing a few core elements to set the tone of the space. For example, if you're inspired by bright home office designs, consider a spacious home office with lots of natural light. Incorporate natural wood with a built-in desk near a large picture window and minimize window treatments to airy linen curtains that allow as much natural light in as possible.

If you don't have the classic home office space, and instead have to settle for converting part of your guest room or dining room into an office area, don't fret. In this case, make the most of your square footage with a designated desk area, and sufficient task lighting, and capitalize on wall space with custom shelving and storage solutions.

Design by LOUIS DUNCAN HE

By choosing wood floors, a bright white wall colour, and a contemporary, streamlined desk, this office space brings together a modern style that makes for a beautiful office space.

2. Consider Flooring and Floor Space

Carpet by Carpet One Floor & Home

Have you ever heard the phrase, start from the ground up? That's a key philosophy here when it comes to creating a home office you'll love to work in. Start with the flooring, choosing a style that's best suited to your home office needs. Then, let your inner interior designer shine and build upon your blank canvas from there!

Our top picks for home office floors include:

• Hardwood - As a durable, long-lasting, and all-natural floor, both solid and engineered hardwood floors are a perfect fit for home office spaces as they lend a traditional, warmth to the space. Available in a wide variety of wood grains, colours, and textures, you're bound to find a style to suit your home office decor.
• Carpet - Working to brighten up and bring warmth to your home office, carpet is the ideal floor to make your office space cozy and comfortable —plus you can work barefoot! Carpet comes in an extensive array of colours, styles, patterns, and fibers ensuring that you'll find the perfect match for your design. Not to mention, carpet has soundproofing qualities that can be beneficial for productivity.
• Luxury Vinyl - As a durable and low-maintenance option, luxury vinyl flooring is tough enough to withstand heavy foot traffic and the sliding of your swivel chair when you work from home. You can also find a scuff-, stain- and water-resistant luxury vinyl plank for your home office to get the warmth of hardwood without the worry of scratches or spills.
• Tile - If you're looking for a more polished, professional look for your office space, tile is a great choice as you can choose from a multitude of design options from simple natural stone looks to intricate mosaic designs. Tile is also extremely durable and easy to clean, plus you can install under-floor heating to keep your feet warm during the colder months.

Pro tip: One of the best ways to ensure your floor's long lifespan is to put an area rug under your desk and office chair. Area rugs work on an aesthetic and functional level by adding a pop of colour to your room while also protecting your floors from potential scratches.

3. Include Built-In Storage

Design by MICHELLE BERWICK Photography by LARRY ARNAL

Other than a desk and an office chair, storage solutions —no matter how small —are key to keeping your space uncluttered. Consider all of the equipment, technology, and necessary items that you'll have on hand to customize your storage. Limit your desk space to the required items, as this will help you stay organized and stress-free in your home office.

Our top recommendations for home office storage solutions include:

• a desk organizer
• built-in shelving
• open shelving with floating shelves
• storage ottomans
• cabinets

4. Make it a Multi-Use Space 

To get the most out of your space, especially if you have a smaller home or fewer rooms, opt for a multi-use area that doubles as another room at different times. Being able to use one room in more than one way will help you prepare for both the times that you need your home office, as well as when you need an extra bedroom for loved ones. 

Design by MARTHA O'HARA INTERIORS Photography by SPACECRAFTING PHOTOGRAPHY

For instance, draw inspiration from this design by Martha O'Hara Interiors. A tucked-away home office can easily be shut away and turned into a family room with this simple custom built-in desk closet. Despite the small space, O'Hara makes the most of the desk space with ample storage solutions, desktop space, shelving, framed art, and gorgeous decor. Bonus points for the sliding barn door that can easily hide away this workspace after hours.

5. Customize with Personal Details

Your home office doesn’t have to be boring; it can also have an upscale, elegant feel like the rest of your home. But no matter what type of work you’re planning on doing in your home office, it's best to keep your home office ideas simple and to the point. After all, a home office should provide you with the necessary tools to be productive without becoming overly cluttered.

Design by AMANDA SHIELDS  Photography by STEPHANI BUCHMAN

Keeping it simple, doesn't mean your space should lack personality, though! Add a gallery wall that sparks joy, install a fun light fixture, or customize with wallpaper that makes you smile. For example, the art on the wall behind this desk adds flair to the space, showing off places the homeowner has been with a touch of je ne sais quoi. It doesn’t take over the room, rather it lends a customized feel with personal ties to all the items in it.  

Whether you’ve been looking for ways to create an office space for years or you’re starting a new job, following these simple tips will surely give you an idea of where to start with your new home office. Remember, your home should always reflect a little piece of you and your unique design personality, while also offering you the practicality you need, no matter the size of the home!

The flooring in your office can improve the ambiance that you are trying to achieve. Try our Room Visualizer and see how new flooring could improve your office's aesthetic. Ready for new flooring? Get a free estimate today!