After the rise of hybrid and remote work in recent years, more professionals than ever have the opportunity to work from home. And as a result, home spaces are functioning in new and exciting ways. In fact, when set up just right, your home office can be one of the most versatile and functional rooms in the house. This rise of multi-functional spaces and versatile furniture and decor is stretching what we imagined our homes could be—and that’s exciting stuff!

If you’re still adjusting to this new work environment, having a functional home office will help ease your transition. The right design and layout are key to starting your workday off right and keeping you productive. So what’s new in home offices? How do you make it look professional, attractive, and comfortable at the same time? And what do you do if you’re working with limited spaces?

Here are some home office inspiration and design tips for creating the best setup for your needs!

How to Set Up a Small Home Office

If you need to work remotely in a compact home, you may be wondering how to maximize space in a smaller office. Thankfully, with the right furniture and home office organization solutions, you can make even the smallest spaces functional and cozy. Space-saving home office furniture offers plenty of storage and can often serve multiple needs. Storage ottomans, bookcases, desks with deep drawers, cube storage, and floating shelves can tuck away essentials and expand your space. A mounted desk that folds into the wall makes it possible to open the room for other uses. Combine this with other versatile furniture like Murphy beds or sofas, and you can gain a lounge or guest room after the workday finishes. If you are working with less living space, just remember that each choice should be made with efficiency in mind.

So what’s the best design for compact spaces? The sleek and efficient design of contemporary office furniture will easily fit your space-saving needs.

Yes! Your big-city dreams and goals can fit into the smallest studio apartment. Inspired by the industrial landscapes, edgy design, and city lifestyles, an urban home office is a great look for young professionals.

Just remember, your home office will be as unique as you are. You have total freedom to choose unique styles of office staples like home office desks, office chairs, and shelves to gain the function and storage space you need. Then, it’s all up to you to decide how you want to dress up your home office. Create the look that will help you breeze through that to-do list!

How to Decorate Your Home Office

How do you make your home office look good? It all comes down to the way you arrange your furniture and the decor you choose. Try a Bohemian home office if you’re looking for a space that keeps your creativity inspired. This style pulls together bright colors and ornate designs for an eclectic look.

To achieve this room, don’t be afraid to use color. Pick a favorite shade and use that as an anchor for the space, then pick accents of the same color. We chose a rich teal for this lookbook. A separate sitting area might be the perfect spot for you to take a quick 15-minute break during the day. Position it next to a window and use it as your brainstorming station. Your four-legged coworkers can also use it as their seat for staff meetings. Keeping productive and restorative areas as separate as possible will help you stay focused while you’re on the clock. And when it’s time to clock out, you’ll be able to unplug easily.

Bringing the beach into your home office lends serenity to your space when balancing budget sheets and calendars. Focus on keeping your color palette neutral but add pops of blue to recreate the look of calm waters.

Channel the appeal of seaside docks by adding decor pieces that feature industrial accents like locks, nets, antique nautical gear, and worn wood. Whimsical pieces that remind you of the ocean will tie the aquatic look together.

More Home Office Ideas & Inspiration

Modern farmhouse furniture is inspired by antique, rustic pieces and designs. This aesthetic features a lot of neutral tones, with pops of natural colors like green. Bring the outdoors into the office space with materials that add rugged charm. Barn doors, lace curtains, and reclaimed wood are the main stars of the show in this design concept.

If you think in pink, these muted blush tones will give your office the fun factor you crave. This flirty shade allows people to experiment with color without committing to bright tones. Light pink keeps the room cheerful while creating a whimsical mood. You will love the way pink pillows and throws make your office furniture look fabulous!

Bonjour! This look book was inspired by the romantic designs of the French Country aesthetic. To achieve this space in your home, no beret is required—just bring an open mind and a love of soft pastel colors. Small details like a tufted desk chair and floral decor offer a chic-yet-delicate vibe.

Try illuminating your space with a floor lamp to keep your workspace clear. The taller style will cast bright light across the room, which will help keep you alert and focused.

Stay Professional With These Home Office Design Ideas

A sleek space creates a clear mind. This look is inspired by a streamlined, modern style and reflects a minimal aesthetic. It’s perfect for those who need a minimalist landscape to stay productive during work hours. For a more glam and regal approach, decorate with a jewel-toned throw blanket and a few potted plants. It keeps the space minimal while adding a pop of color to keep you inspired.

Mid-century modern furniture is perfect for anyone looking for a unique space that combines elements from other styles. The aesthetic features vibrant use of color, sleek industrial design, minimalist accents, and Bohemian flair. For mid-century design lovers, this aesthetic is the best of all worlds when it comes to interiors.

  • Decor Tip: For a subtle pop in the space, include mixed metals to play up the industrial look. And don’t be afraid to play with color in your workspace. The vibrant tones will spark your creativity while you work. Use muted jewel tones to keep the room neutral, so the colors are not too overwhelming.

If you’re a no-muss, no-fuss type of interior designer, stick with classic designs and styles when creating your traditional home office. The sleek silhouettes of the pieces in this lookbook offer enough intrigue, so you don’t have to worry about home decor. You can also experiment with texture instead of layering home accent pieces. Velvet gives the space an elegant, ornate look. Open shelving concepts keep the room airy and give an illusion of more space—all while providing extra storage for books and files.

Share the space you create by using #MyAshleyHome on Instagram for a chance to be featured on our feed! We’d also love to know your work-from-home tips and tricks. You can also find more home office inspiration on Pinterest.