Home office design ideas : creating your dream office

Whether you've designated a special room or you share a common space (sitting room or bedroom), take the time to assess the available space and the layout of your office.

Make sure to leave enough room around your desk to move around comfortably.

This will prevent you from choosing furniture that is too large or too small to be functional.

Tip: use masking tape to plan out a furniture layout on the floor. This will help you visualise the space it will take up!).

If you can, position your desk near a window to get the most out of natural light and fresh air.

Getting natural light helps reduce eye strain and gives you an energy boost! A window allows you to air out your office and improve the indoor air quality.

If possible, opt for windows that are opposite each other to allow for cross ventilation. For example, choose strategically placed roof windows to complement vertical windows. This way, you can constantly renew the air without creating annoying drafts.

To minimise the glare from your computer screen, use pleated blinds to regulate light intensity. And if you spend a lot of time in front of your screen, invest in an anti-glare screen to protect your eyes.

If your office is in your house, minimising noise distractions is key to maintaining focus.

If possible, choose a room that's away from noisy living areas. To absorb noise, use soundproofing materials, such as thick carpets, heavy curtains or acoustic panels.

Sound transmission between rooms can also be reduced by opting for solid doors rather than hollow ones.

For outside noise, consider double or triple-glazed roof windows and install external roller shutters to reduce the noise of rain and hail.

Finally, earplugs (or their technical equivalent – noise cancelling headphones or earphones) are valuable allies in noisy or busy environments such as the hallway or living room.

Minimalist home office design, focused on simplicity and reducing clutter on your desk, keeps distractions to a minimum and promotes concentration and productivity.

Opt for functional furniture and clever hidden storage solutions to create a clean and tidy workspace.

These tips apply to your work tools too: only open applications that you need for your current tasks, turn off notifications and activate “work mode” on your devices during deep work sessions..

Industrial-style decor is characterised by raw materials and neutral colours. It creates a sturdy and stylish workspace.

This style is ideal for those who appreciate functional simplicity and a contemporary look.

Scandinavian design emphasises functionality, minimalism and the use of natural elements.

A Scandinavian-inspired office is warm and welcoming and promotes a peaceful and productive working environment.

A sedentary lifestyle is associated with health risks (cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, depression, anxiety).

This is why it is important to invest in an ergonomic chair that prevents fatigue and pain associated with prolonged sitting.

Look for an office chair that offers lumbar support, adjustable height and the ability to tilt the backrest for optimal posture throughout your working day.

Your choice of desk is equally important. Your desk should be at the right height and provide enough room for your computer, documents and any other tools you need for your work.

Consider a height-adjustable desk that lets you alternate between sitting and standing.

An ‘L’ shaped desk, that fits in a corner increases your work surface without encroaching too much into the rest of the room. This arrangement also helps distinguish between your work area and the rest of your living space.

Good storage solutions look good and help you work better.

Easy to access, wall shelves, filing cabinets and storage boxes help maintain a tidy and stimulating work environment.

Select furniture that can be adjusted or modified to suit different needs.

For example, a desk with retractable extensions can be expanded for large projects and then collapsed to free up space.

In a small room, choose multi-purpose furniture, such as a desk with storage or a table that can serve as a desk and a meeting table.

Ottomans with built-in storage provide extra seating while hiding office supplies.

Install floating shelves above your desk for books, supplies and equipment. Wall bars with hooks or hanging bins organise small items while keeping them within reach.

Finally, movable panels or partitions can help you divide the space for focused desk work or keep it open for an airier room.

How productive you are at home depends largely on the technology at your disposal.

A powerful computer, a reliable Internet connection a good sound system, a printer and scanner are must-haves.

Don't underestimate the importance of a good backup and data security system.

A desk cluttered with cables is distracting.

Use a cable management system to keep your desk organised and safe.

Cable grommets, cable storage boxes and cable clips create a tidier office space.

Your choice of colours and decor in your office can affect your mood and concentration.

A well-chosen colour palette can transform an ordinary office space into a peaceful haven of creativity and productivity.

Colours influence your state of mind and energy levels. When it comes to decorating your home office, light, calming shades like pastel blue or soft green help you concentrate and relax.

Dark walls create an intimate office and soften the reflections of light on the walls. Blacks, dark blues and deep greens transform an office into a calm and productive haven.

If you prefer more dynamic decor, opt for pops of bright colours like yellow or orange, which stimulate creativity.

The key is to choose colours that resonate with you and complement the natural lighting.

Incorporating artwork or photographs that speak to you is a great way to personalise your home office.

Art prints, film posters and travel photos add a stimulating and personal touch.

Objects with special meaning, such as travel souvenirs, gifts, family photos or even trophies and certificates, are a source of daily inspiration.

For big projects, create a vision board, which brings together photos, images and quotes that illustrate your dreams and goals.

Bring the outdoors in by adding plants to your home office. These will also improve air quality and reduce stress.

Plants like philodendron, pothos or ficus are easy to care for and add life with little maintenance.

Good lighting reduces eye strain, improves mood and increases productivity.

Combine natural light, task and ambient lighting to create an optimal working environment at any time of day.

Task lighting highlights the areas where you work the most, like your desk.

If you work on a computer, it's important to reduce the contrast between the brightness of the screen and your desk space. Too much contrast creates premature eye fatigue.

A desk lamp with adjustable LED lighting can help you focus light where you need it.

Another solution to avoid glare on your computer screen is a screen light bar. This attaches to the top of your monitor to illuminate your surroundings. Some models have a second bulb that shines behind the screen to reduce light contrasts. A touch wheel allows you to adjust the brightness.

Ambient lighting adds soft light to your office space and is also a source of indirect lighting that helps reduce light contrasts in your office.

Floor lamps or wall sconces complement natural light and provide your office space with an even brightness.

There's nothing worse than looking for a document that's lost in a pile of letters on your desk.

To avoid wasting valuable time, sort your documents and objects regularly and only keep the essentials. Make this a weekly or monthly desk routine so you can find your files quickly.

Well-organised office supplies and filed documents reduce clutter and free up desk workspace.

Shelves, pen pots and filing cabinets offer efficient storage solutions to keep your desk tidy.

Consider using desk organisers for small items and labelling your files for quick and easy access.

Your work equipment plays a key role in maintaining your health every day.

Make sure your chair, desk, computer display and other work tools are properly adjusted to support healthy posture.

The height of your chair should allow your feet to rest flat on the floor. The computer screen on your desk should be at eye level to avoid neck strain.

If possible, invest in quality equipment:

• a chair with multiple adjustment settings to fit your body type and support your back
• a sit-stand desk that allows you to change positions
• an anti-glare screen that protects your eyes.

Incorporate regular breaks into your routine to stand, stretch and move around.

The Pomodoro method, for example, alternates 25-minute sessions of focused work with 5-minute breaks.

Also, regularly move between sitting and standing, if your desk allows it. This will reduce the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Otherwise, practice light stretching exercises.

A must-have: a dedicated space for breaks away from your desk, where you can relax or stretch. Whether it’s a small corner with a comfortable chair for reading, a yoga space or simply somewhere to enjoy a cup of coffee, these areas allow you to take regular breaks, which are beneficial for your holistic well-being.