✨ Home Office Help! Design Ideas Needed for a Work + Chill Space

25 days ago

last modified: 25 days ago

Hey y’all! Looking for some design feedback to bring my home office to life. It’s a 139"x105" room just off the entryway, with red oak floors, simply white walls, and a cozy vibe. I WFH full-time, so the space needs to be functional, but I also want to unwind here—play guitar on the couch, watch some TV, etc. at the end of the day.

Furniture is coming together (TV mount + this sideboard), but I’m a bit stuck on how to pull it all together—rug sizing, lighting, art, shelving, plants, color pops, etc.

My big Qs:

How do I visualize or plan next steps?
Should I relocate the central ceiling light to line up with the desk for better visual balance (but worse light spread)? Considering this fixture.
Any layout/art/rug/lighting tips to make it feel complete?

Style-wise: I love neutrals (beiges, wood tones, white, black/silver accents), but open to adding warmth or contrast through rugs or art.

Would love your input—thanks so much!

Featured Answer

Lyn Nielson

24 days ago

I would place your 'chill' sofa on the back wall facing the doors with the TV mounted just above the chairs you have it on now.

Build out the window wall with storage (or buy tall slim units that go to the ceiling.)

put the desk facing the window (light on your face for video calls)

a nice large format art for a background (a map of somewhere that interests you)

while you are viewing the TV the desk chair can be pushed under the desk.

tight space, but fill the areas vertically to max out storage. I personally would paint the whole room including the ceiling and trim(s) and cabinetry... a dark color similar to the color you choose for your sofa, drench the room and your guitars will be your art feature.

example, taupe walls with taupe colored sofa, Gray walls, gray sofa, you get the picture.

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Comments (6)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
25 days ago
IMO working from home is already a bit hard to now make the office the relaxing end of day space is not ideal. Do you not have a LR ? I do not like office space at the front of the home usually so the desk for me needs to have you facing the window and the back of the desk not seen from the entry and not your back to the entry .I guess ideally the office stuff would all be as hidden as possible and still function for how you use it. Is ther ea clset in this space ? If there is then go wirelass for the printer for sure and even the file cabinet can go in the closet. Then arrange to see the chairs and have the monitor on a swivel to watch TV
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PRO
Norwood Architects
25 days ago
Will suggest that you add downlight to your office to provide more light than that provided by the central surface mounted light.
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Elaine Doremus
25 days ago
I do not like a ceiling light. If you insist on that, at the very least put it on a dimmer. Best to start with the following lighting: a table lamp or wall sconce in each corner at chest height. Also, discover your style. Put in top HOUZZ search box styles - one at a time. Examples: Transitional flex space in photos, Eclectic flex space in photos, casual flex space in photos. Note what you like and don't like in the photos. I like a massive amount of color in oversized wall art (go big or go home!!!). Small or medium sized art does zero for the space. Art shows your personality. Other places to put color are lamp bases and shades, limited knick knacks, throws on the corner round chair, and curtains. I like art.com - get the print and frame it locally in plexiglass. Art is very personal. Don't get something just to fill in the space. Wait to get peices you really love. Look for local artists. Always keep in mind the background if you do Zoom calls (as well as potential glare on the computer screen). Experiement - move your furniture around. Put sliders under them so they're easier to move. Always keep in mind traffic flow. No one wants to be bumping into furniture just to get around the room!!! One can never have too much storage. Open storage is for decorative items and neat freaks!!! Closed storage is for slobs like me!!! Make it easy on yourself and get closed storage. If it's super tall, be sure to bolt it to the wall (if you own the space). Be aware of what the walls are made of.
Matthew R thanked Elaine Doremus
Matthew R
Original Author
24 days ago
Thank you for the ideas!
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Matthew R
Original Author
23 days ago
Thank you! Any thoughts on the rug-size (last two pics)? On one hand I like the wood floors, on the other it might make it more cozy and help with sound a bit.