Meet the experts
Keith Beckett, co-founder of Interior Design Studio Yellow London: ‘Working from home is no longer temporary, so spaces need to feel more integrated into everyday life.’
Lisa Coppin, Chief Creative Officer and Buying Director, Cotswold Company: ‘A home working zone should feel like it belongs at home, not like an office that has been thrown into it.’
Rachel Hutcheson, Interiors Expert, Sharps: ‘Workspaces can be a distraction rather than a complement. The best set up feels harmonious and quietly deliberate.’
Homework areas for teenagers, work from home spaces for adults, family laptop stations or endless filing storage for a life organizer… there’s so much to fit into today’s home.
Finding a balance between functionality and personality with you Home Office Ideas can be tricky, so we asked our experts – a mix of interior designers and buying experts – to share their advice on creating a homeworking scheme… whatever room you have to work with.
Work life changes
Lisa says, ‘The homeworking space feels a lot more intentional than before covid. ‘During the pandemic, many people improvised and worked out of kitchen tables or spare rooms out of necessity.
Article continues below
‘Now, as some of us return to the office, homeworking has become a permanent part of everyday life. As a result, these spaces are being designed to feel thoughtful, comfortable and integrated into the home, rather than temporary or purely functional.’
Sleek Shapes Dress up a console-style desk with a smart velvet pouf for a glam look. Southwark Acacia desk, £599, Swoon
(Image credit: Swoon)
Places of dreams
‘My dream homeworking location is inspiring, beautifully organized and structured around realistic routines,’ says Rachel. ‘It looks both calming and refreshing and works well,’ says Keith. Home office lighting Ideally, with a desk near a window for natural light, and separation from the rest of the home is key, however subtle. The trick is to incorporate color and pattern, along with personal touches like artwork, objects and books you really enjoy spending time with.’
Lisa believes that a homeworking space shouldn’t feel overtly corporate: ‘It should borrow from the rest of the home, with natural materials, beautiful storage and timeless touches. Furniture – formed, not clinical.’
Clever corner floating shelves and an offcut of matching worktop create a neat nook in the kitchen. For the same worktop, try Molekulla, £279 for 2.46m, Ikea
(Image credit: Future plc / Malcolm Menzies)
Make plans
‘I always start by understanding how the room will be used,’ says Lisa. ‘Think about how many hours in a day, what equipment is needed and whether things need to be packed. In a dedicated home office, you can be more generous Layout And Collection. In a shared space, like a corner of the living room, it’s about choosing furniture that works hard, like a compact desk.’
Rachel adds: ‘Every workspace has different requirements, from a simple laptop set-up to dual screens, a creative surface or shared family storage, so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.’
‘We want to create places that we spend a lot of time in and that are enjoyable to live in’
Keith Beckett, co-founder of interior design studio Yellow London
(Image credit: Future plc / Dan Dutchers)
Keith says to start with a good chair. ‘It should feel comfortable to work in, then add a dedicated table, even if it’s small. Desk lights are important, as is good storage, so clutter can be hidden — especially in rooms that have multiple functions. In shared spaces, zoning is essential – a rug can be used to clearly define a rest area, soft seating can be brought together, while keeping a desk out of it.’
Room by room
Need to know: Make it personal
Lisa Coppin from The Cotswold Company shares her advice
- Embrace natural materials – wood, linen, leather and woven textures help soften the home office.
- Choose the colors you like. It will make the space more attractive.
- Style shelves with a purpose. Mix practical collections with decorative accents like books, ceramics and framed prints.
- Display meaningful items—like a favorite photo—and bring in greenery to help create a calming atmosphere.
‘Even a dedicated home office can have its pitfalls,’ says Keith, ‘most commonly being treated as an afterthought – poor LightingMissed sockets, uncomfortable furniture or lack of storage.’
Rachel adds: ‘A layout that deliberately doesn’t feel like the space is too busy.’ Lisa says: ‘Without adequate storage, paper and cables quickly take over!’
‘If you’re working from your dining table, you need to make sure everything is easy to set up and easy to use,’ says Keith. ‘Keep clutter to a minimum and invest in a good-looking portable table lamp.’
Lisa adds: ‘A lovely console table can also double as a desk and a few baskets tucked neatly underneath will give enough space to keep those bits and bobs neatly stowed away.’
Closed doors Giving the appearance of a larder unit once the doors are closed, this hideaway option also offers plenty of storage. Chester Hideaway home office in charcoal, £1,799, Cotswold Co
(Image credit: Cotswold Co)
‘One of the biggest mistakes with a workspace in the bedroom is to let it spill over into the room’s sense of calm. A bedroom should feel like a sanctuary, so avoid set-ups that can’t be hidden. Don’t leave work on the show; An unorganized desk or cluttered background dominates the room and can look unprofessional even on video calls,’ says Rachel. A clever way to create a workspace in the bedroom is by using “Clofis” – Essentially a cleverly built office inside a closet.’
Cath adds: ‘Visually separating the desk from the sleeping area maintains a sense of calm – for example, you can hide it behind curtains or invest. Secretary-style desk that folds away and doubles as a chest of drawers for clothes.’
Think vertically to keep your workspace confined and defined in an open plan space. Earth wall desk, £799, Furniture Village
(Image credit: Furniture Village)
Design choices
‘Soft, neutral tones work beautifully; Think warm whites, soft grays, muted greens and natural wood finishes. These colors create a calming backdrop that won’t feel overwhelming, while still providing enough warmth to feel inviting,’ says Lisa. ‘The color choices for our home office centered around blues and soft creams, which are bright enough to focus and create a soothing base,’ says Cath. ‘Pops of red, introduced through artwork, upholstery or patterned wallpaper, add energy and personality. It’s all about striking the right balance between calm and excitement.’
Shape matters Bedroom Choose a bespoke design to make the most of the bedroom. Manhattan loft office in white, from £2,000, Sharps
(Image credit: Sharps)
After all, an armchair and a decently proportioned desk are not luxuries; They are the foundations of good posture, clear thinking and focused work,’ says Rachel. ‘Choosing a design that suits your posture and your body will make a huge difference to how you feel, both physically and mentally.’
If you enjoyed reading this, sign up for Ideal Home Newsletter All the latest home decor trends and inspiration delivered straight to your inbox
