Home office design ideas to improve workflow

Working from home has its perks: no commute, the comforts of home, and more flexibility in your day. Whether you have a dedicated home office or a table in the corner of your kitchen, there are plenty of ways to set up your space to help bolster productivity.

Here are a few tips to get you started, plus some exclusive discounts on necessities to whip your work zone into shape.

1. Nail Down the Floor Plan

Tip: If your workday includes regular video calls, make sure to consider how your surroundings will affect the lighting quality. Check out our Guide to Video Conference Lighting Solutions to learn more.

Don’t be afraid to reconfigure the area to be more work-friendly—even if it’s only temporary. Move pieces around to maximize the workspace, adding items that inspire you and removing what doesn’t. Consider borrowing items from other rooms that might get more use in your home office, like a table lamp.

If possible, set up your space to face a window. Access to bright, natural light can help you feel more energized and uplifted.

2. Get the Light Right

Not only does exposure to natural light improve sleep, productivity, cognitive performance and alertness, it can help ward off seasonal depression and anxiety. There are several ways to bounce even more light around a room, such as hanging mirrors, painting the walls an eggshell color, or opting for more muted furniture.

The right lighting can also help reduce the stress on your eyes from exposure to blue light from screens. Overhead lighting isn’t always best for video calls, so you might also supplement existing fixtures or brighten dark corners with lamps.

3. Find Furniture with Function and Form

Tip: Do you enjoy being mobile around the house? Find some portable pieces, such as a lap desk. Sometimes a change of scenery can help boost your mood—whether your patio or balcony in warm weather or a favorite armchair.

Home Office Furniture Basics

Desk
Chair
Wastebasket
Filing cabinet
Shelving
Lighting

A card table or kitchen counter might seem fine for a work station, but there’s a reason desks are designed how they are: comfort and ergonomics. If you’re in the market for a new desk and chair, consider posture, mobility, craftsmanship, comfort, and adjustability.

Some desks are sleek and stylish, but lack storage. Others may be a bit bulkier, but offer more in the way of drawer space. Whatever style you go with, make sure you’re not sacrificing function for form.

4. Make It Yours with Decor

Tip: Plants count as decor—and can help to improve air quality, too.

“Good design has the ability to make somebody happier. It can elevate everyday experience and also make you feel more efficient, because you feel more energized and organized.” — Kelly Wearstler, interior designer,

Take a look around your workspace. How does it make you feel? Are you including things that bring you joy and inspiration? Interior designer Kelly Wearstler recommends framed art, photos, rugs or other objects that elevate your space and give you a boost throughout the day.

Art aside, you don’t have to be a designer to create a space that feels polished and pulled together. Start by finding the style you identify with. Do you prefer classic or contemporary? Colorful or neutral? Or, take this quiz from Wayfair to hone in on what you like best. From there, you can begin to browse stores by style to find furniture and accessories that create a cohesive look and feel.

Also, you might pick a color palette—or at the very least, put a fresh coat of paint on the walls. Whether you choose energetic colors, neutral hues, or paint just one wall as an accent (or, a Zoom backdrop!), this is one of the most affordable, easy ways to polish up your office.

5. Proritize, Organize and Minimize!

In her physical work environment study, researcher Libby Sander found that “Cluttered spaces can have negative effects on our stress and anxiety levels, as well as our ability to focus, our eating choices, and even our sleep,” not to mention encouraging procrastination. She also shared how a Princeton University Neuroscience Institute study found that “when participants cleared clutter from their work environment, they were better able to focus and process information, and their productivity increased.”

If a messy desk doesn’t get your creative juices flowing, find some fun, stylish ways to corral clutter. Poppin trays and desk accessories can be stacked or stowed, keeping pens, pencils, business cards, and paperwork neatly contained. It’s more than just the spaces you can see, too. Knowing that drawers and filing cabinets are disorganized can contribute to stress and procrastination.

Need even more storage? There are plenty of options for wall shelving, cabinets and stands that keep clutter at bay—including all those cords, chargers and cables.

6. Maintain Work-Life Balance at Home

When you’re working from home, it’s easy for the lines between your work and personal lives to blur. Consider ways you can create boundaries and balance, such getting outside for a walk to clear your head, or taking time for other types of exercise.

Experts have said there’s a direct link between being physically active and productive at work.

You don’t need a gym to get moving, either. Streaming services offer thousands of live and on-demand classes. Whatever your interest—from high-intensity interval training to yoga—you can get access to trainers and instructor-led courses right on your phone, computer, or TV.

Get Great Deals on Home Office Decor, Supplies and Furniture

Furnishing your home office to help you be more productive doesn’t have to be a huge expense. It’s a great investment in your success and happiness, and Business Deals can help you get exclusive discounts on everything you need, from computer equipment to office decor.

Zoro.com everyday home improvement tools and office supply essentials
Home Shopping Malls offers a great selection of home office furniture and decor

The information contained herein is shared for educational purposes only. This information does not represent any opinion, guidance or recommendation, whether formal or informal, of Capital One, National Association, or any of its officers, directors, employees, advisors, attorneys, consultants, affiliates or subsidiaries (collectively, “Capital One”). Our content is not intended to provide legal, investment or financial advice or to indicate that a particular Capital One product or service is available or right for you. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consider talking with a qualified professional. Nothing contained herein shall give rise to, or be construed to give rise to, any obligations or liability whatsoever on the part of Capital One. Capital One is not affiliated with, nor does it endorse, any of the companies mentioned. Any trademarks or other intellectual property used and displayed are the property of their respective owners. ©2023 Capital One.

Home office design ideas to improve workflow

Do you work from a home office or live at work? Use these inspiring home office design ideas to inspire creative thinking and improve productivity.

Employee gift guide: 20 holiday gifting ideas

2024 Holiday Calendar for Businesses

10 questions all small business owners should ask before hiring a CPA