The home office is a luxury no longer - the rise of remote and hybrid work has firmly established a dedicated workspace as a necessity in many homes. As the world continues to embrace more flexible work models, there’s no better time to upgrade your workspace from a dining table/laptop setup to a fully functional and motivating home office.
“A compelling benefit of working from home is the flexibility of schedule and attire,” says Terry Immekus, a Copenhagen sales and design associate. “But most exciting is that home offices typically don’t require accommodation for anyone but yourself – allowing for a less formal design with plenty of latitude for incorporating personal design elements.”
Your home office can be as dynamic as today’s work environment, and enhance your productivity, comfort, and personal style. Whether you’re fully renovating your current workspace or establishing your first at-home office, this guide has design inspiration and practical tips for achieving the perfect one for you.
Where you choose to establish your home office can have a significant impact on the results. First, consider the level of privacy, natural light, and square footage available to you throughout your home; these elements can significantly affect your focus and productivity. Quiet or remote areas with one or two windows or skylights are ideal but can be mimicked if necessary. Next, think about the nature of your work; how much space do you need to comfortably do your job? You can start by considering your current setup, whether it’s on-site or at-home, and how it has worked for you so far. For all sizes of spaces, proper planning is essential.
“For a home office to function properly, the format should fit the tasks associated with the job,” Immekus states. “But in general, you should have enough space for an adequate work surface, storage or filing solutions, power cord management, and lighting – and they should all be within easy reach.”
If you have a larger space or an entire room available, Immekus suggests taking advantage of this to create a highly flexible home office. “A larger space provides the opportunity to select individual furniture pieces tailored for specific tasks,” he starts. “Maximize your work surface by adding a return to a wider desk, spread out your storage and display with a library system or credenza. You could even add a conference table if your work encompasses a lot of team meetings and project management.”
Smaller workspaces have their own unique considerations but can be just as comfortable and functional. Try using dividers, accessories, or even furnishings to distinguish your office space from the rest of your house. This can help establish boundaries between your work and home life, allowing you to transition into and out of work mode more effectively. Immekus also suggests adding a “multifunction cabinet that offers enough storage for your printer, filing system, and office accessories in one unit or a mobile filing pedestal that’s easy to maneuver around a smaller area.” Incorporating smaller, multifunctional furnishings ensures you have enough space to work comfortably, especially in rooms that have additional uses.
“The comfort and functionality of a home office are just as important as they are for an on-site office, as your tasks and needs are likely the same,” Immekus observes. Investing in ergonomic furnishings is essential for preventing physical discomfort and thus promoting a productive work environment. Consider adding an adjustable lift desk like Sequel 20 or a portable standing desk to promote better posture and boost your energy when needed. Similarly, you can opt for a larger desk or L-shaped configuration if you need to accommodate multiple tech setups easily – having a spot for every item you need promotes efficiency and mitigates stress. But don’t forget the importance of an ergonomic office chair; Immekus likes the Voca office chair for larger offices because it “offers virtually unlimited adjustments to provide support and comfort for anyone, featuring a mesh design that promotes air flow, and lumbar support to eliminate back strain.” For smaller workspaces, he suggests the Moon knee chair for a “fun, unique, design that insures correct spinal alignment,” never sacrificing ergonomics despite its small stature.
Unlike traditional on-site settings, home offices often include a wider range of work accessories and personal items so having effective storage is important. Strategically incorporating a variety of storage solutions, including mobile units that slide under desks, hutches that rest on top of other furnishings, storage credenzas, and wall shelves or bookcases, helps maintain organization and prevents overwhelming clutter. Your variety of tech equipment, stationary supplies, and personal accolades can be displayed or hidden as you like, creating a home office that you find visually and mentally calming.
“Eye strain from improper lighting can affect productivity in any type of work environment,” Immekus states – luckily, your home office allows you the freedom to find the right lighting for you and your work. Overhead lighting can contribute to eye discomfort and headaches, so Immekus suggests incorporating task lighting that is “specifically designing for the individual areas being used” by determining the “lumens, intensity, and reach” you’ll need to complete your work effectively and comfortably. Dimmable lights like the Splitty LED desk lamp allow you to adjust the brightness for different tasks at various times of day, while a swivel lamp such as Grover offers a range of angles and color temperatures.
With the layout established and essential furnishings picked out, you may think your home office is ready for you to clock in. However, the aesthetic design of your workspace is just as important for your comfort and productivity. Having an interior that reflects your unique interests and preferences adds an individualized touch that prevents a generalized office feel. Immekus considers color as the “single overriding element in office design” and suggests a “grey palette to create a timeless balance between modern and classic – start with lighter tones and then incorporate rich charcoals to establish a smart, sophisticated look.” Neutral bases also help ground a space, giving you room to add accessories and furnishings in your favorite colors without losing that calming framework.
“This is when it’s time to have fun,” Immekus says. “Industry and passion are great templates for building a design theme in a home office. Enhance that neutral palette with your favorite complementary colors, letting the theme guide you to a warm and professional environment.” If you prefer bolder, brighter colors and artsy accessories, consider adding a few playful sculptures like Flying Girl and expressive wall arts like Julieta to create an energetic atmosphere. If you’re most at home in nature, incorporate a plant stand like Jude and whimsical flowerpots like Eva to hold mood-boosting plants. And if cozy is your middle name, then a few textured throw pillows and a soft hand-loomed rug like Combination ensures you have the perfect spot for a much-needed break. Mixing in these accessories with family photos, favorite books, and other personal items will give your home office a uniquely you feel.
By considering your unique function and design needs, you can create a home office that allows your productivity and comfort to thrive. We hope you let this guide inspire you to elevate your workspace with the perfect furniture and accessories. For more office design help, contact or visit a Copenhagen showroom to meet our sales and interior design experts.