Work from Home Spaces: Paint Colors & Design Solutions

With so many of us working remotely, it’s always helpful to see how others spruce up their work areas. Inspiring home offices and paint color ideas ahead! Even if you are starting from scratch and have yet to delineate a workspace at home for office space, you’ll find great advice. Working productively from home can be tricky when you’re short on space, organization, or privacy. These tips for work from home spaces help you mindfully make a plan.

Beautiful midcentury modern home office decoration and wall art - @i.tam.i.tu #homeofficegoals
@i.tam.i.tu – Work from Home Spaces…in case you need decorating, organizing, and personalizing a workspace at home.

Work from Home Spaces: Inspiration, Design & Solutions

Home Offices & Ideas for Small Spaces

1. Assess Workspace Needs

Before you collect a single inspiring idea, it’s a good idea to first identify your needs. Since function will trump aesthetics, don’t get overwhelmed by what the “look” will be. Instead, accept that after mindfully considering your needs and available space, eventually you’ll be able to be creative with finishing touches to make it look attractive.

Funny overwhelm quote from Hello Lovely Studio. #funnyquotes #overwhelmquotes #momlifequotes

For example, one of my own needs for my workspace at home is a view of nature. Nature is important for my creative process in order to be in the right headspace for creative writing. To stay organized, I know I need my supplies in open bins rather than file cabinets. They are out of sight in the photo below, but I have baskets on the lower shelf of an open console table.

Hello Lovely's BDI Soma Lift Desk and egg chair in serene den with Belgian style. #adjustabledesk #homeoffice #belgianstyle
I love my Soma Life Desk from BDI – Hello Lovely Studio (My egg chair is vintage RH)

I also know that I don’t do well in spaces where there are energetic or saturated colors. Subdued, subtle, neutrals are the tones that keep me productive and focused. This office/dressing room/closet where I occasionally get work done is painted SW Agreeable Gray, and you can sample it easily with Samplize (link below this image).

However, my ideal color palette may be all wrong for you. All the greige may be too much of a yawn (or a literal sedative…not so good when it’s work time!). It’s important to know yourself and how colors affect your mood and energy level.

Hello Lovely's BDI Soma Lift Desk and egg chair in serene den with Belgian style. #adjustabledesk #homeoffice #belgianstyle
Hello Lovely Studio – wall color is SW Repose Gray – Work from Home Spaces…in case you need decorating, organization, and furniture ideas.

We’re all different, and you don’t want to be in an environment that feels sleepy when you need to be attentive!

2. Calculate Space Requirement

How much space will you require? Have a slew of documents or tools to spread out? Maybe your expansive formal dining room table makes sense. Need more than one desk? A closet probably won’t be ideal. Rely on a single laptop only? A small bedside desk may hold promise.

Where will you feel productive? How important is it for you to have quiet focus? Will you meet with clients or offer services in your workspace? Spare bedrooms, closets, quiet corners, stair landings, and even outbuildings are all possibilities. Underutilized space in halls, nooks, foyers, or pantries may also work.

Will there be adequate separation? It is truly a bonus if you are able to step away from the space and forget about work! Is the office area removed from noise, pets, and people?

Beautiful home office with open shelves and neutral decor - Sherry Hart Interiors. Paint color is BM Iron Mountain. #paintcolors #ironmountain #homeoffices
Sherry Hart of Design Indulgence…hello lovely, smart small home office! (Pssst…paint color is BM Iron Mountain.)

3. Ideas for Carving Out Workspace at Home

Need privacy within the room? Sometimes a screen or bookcase provides the right bit of separation to define a zone for work.

Home office with built-ins, cozy neutral muted colors, Revery Rug (Anthropologie), and design by Amber Lewis. #amberlewis
Revery Rug, Amber Lewis for Anthropologie – Work from Home Spaces…in case you need decorating, organization, and furniture ideas.

Corner desks. Is there a corner to work in a living room, great room, or den? Sometimes a corner desk will bring coziness to an otherwise dim corner.

What’s the best view for you personally? Think about arranging furniture so your view is not cluttered with distractions. What to do about a view of a blank wall? Keep reading.

Sherry Hart designed home office with built-ins, black walls, and glass desk. #homeoffices #builtins
Design: Sherry Hart – Work from Home Spaces…in case you need decorating, organization, and furniture ideas.

Closet office or “cloffice” possibilities. Sometimes it makes sense to utilize closet space. (Can the belongings in it be stored in under-bed roll outs to make space for workspace?) The closet doors will keep work out of sight when closed, and small closets offer vertical space for shelves, cabinets and supplies. A power strip run from a nearby outlet is often adequate, and you can creatively personalize the nook (bring a hanging plant into the mix!).

Beautiful spare cloffice home office in closet - Flynn Haus. #homeoffices #cloffice
Flynnhaus…in case breezy and minimal are your jam.

Furnishing Solutions for a Small Workspace

4. Workspace Furniture

Space saving desk solutions. There are innovative desk solutions to discover including Murphy style, floating, and wall-mounted convertible desks. They can sometimes prevent your workspace from taking over your home’s square footage.

Even though this is a kids room, you’ll get the idea of how a wall-mounted desk conserves space:

If you live in a smallish home without a dining room, maybe a new desk can also double as the dining table.

Here’s a streamlined possibility that would work as a multi-purpose surface:

Method 60W Home office desk by Kathy Ireland for Bush Furniture at Quill. #moderndesk #homeofficefurniture
Desk…in case you need a desk that works for dining too.

Browse Desks that Will Feel Native to the Space. Rather than limit yourself to “office furniture” searches, look at pieces that won’t stand out from the rest of your furnishings. If you work from a small laptop, a smaller scale secretary or writing desk may function well next to a bed.

Modern and minimal styles like this industrial one keep the look airy and light:

Industrial style wood and iron desk for home office - kathy ireland and Bush Furniture at Quill. #officedesks #industrialfarmhousestyle
Bush Furniture Desk…in case rustic style suits you.

Smart closet desk DIY. Need an affordable custom desk in a closet? An off the shelf laminate countertop from warehouse stores may be a smart solution. Wood supports on walls at either end within the closet can support such a countertop desk.

Beautiful cloffice home office with wallpaper, shelf, and upholstered chair - @stac.2me #cloffice #homeoffice
@stac.2me…cozy lighting, plants, and layered decor certainly cozy up a cloffice.

5. Lighting

Don’t underestimate smart natural and artificial lighting. If you have worked in a space with insufficient light, then you know. Ugh. Best exposure? Southeast or easterly exposures. Also, be sure you spend some time testing out lighting for visual conferencing.

Task light matters. Adjustable lamp heads and and task lamps with arms to direct light where you need it make a huge difference. Look for desk lamps with bases that function as wireless charging stations for added convenience (just picked up a desk lamp with built-in charger at Homegoods for $12!).

Floor lamps are unsung heroes. Don’t forget about ambient light. For example, floor lamps can transform dark corners and create a pleasant mood with a comforting glow.

Home office with multiple work areas and white cabinetry - Cindy Hattersley. #homeoffice
Cindy Hattersley…in case your smart small home office demands space for two.

6. Cords & Organizing All the Stuff

Corral the clutter. What helped me get a handle on home organization, including office stuff? A no-nonsense book to help me identify my organization style called The Clutter Connection (Mango, 2019) by Cassandra Aarssen. Is your issue maintaining order once you have spent a bunch of time getting organized? It may be you need this book to help you put in place the just right organization systems for your personality, not the organization book author’s.

Manage unruly cords. A cable management box with a power strip inside keeps cords and cables tidy.

Beautiful barn door at cloffice home office - @thecolorofourhome. #homeoffices #cloffice
@thecolorofourhome…in case your closet is ripe for a makeover.

7. Tech & Tools

Plan to scan if you can. Unless hard copies are essential, consider scanning for digital copies. A wireless printer also keeps things visually calm.

Sherwin-Williams Rosemary painted built-ins in a home office by Emily White @werethewhites_. #sherwinwilliamsrosemary
Emily WhiteSW Rosemary on home office built-ins.

Noise pollution. Resolve noise issues for improved concentration and professionalism. In addition to noise-canceling headphones, sound-deadening panels or carpet to absorb sound may help. Upgrade a hollow-core door to a solid one. Paint walls with special sound-proofing paint (yep, it exists). Need to mask annoying sounds? Consider a white noise machine.

Home office with antiques - Patina Farm (Brooke Giannetti) European country farmhouse in Ojai. #patinafarm #vintagemodern #modernrustic #homeoffice
Velvet and Linen – a home office at Patina Farm (buy the book HERE)

Make it Personal With This Decorating Advice

8. Workspace Decor Ideas

No fuss decorating approach. Your workspace’s décor should (1) feel unfussy and (2) increase well-being. Color, art, and accessory ideas follow.

Funny quote about wasting time - Hello Lovely Studio.

Neuroaesthetics. As if we even needed neuroscience research to confirm it…viewing art is good for health and wellness. In fact, art is effective stress-relief (Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2019). Adding artful layering to your space is worth the thought and energy.

Indigo Blue Paint Colors - Hello Lovely Studio. #bestbluepaintcolors #indigoblue #paintcolors
PIN me…in case a tranquil blue paint color for your home office is calling.

Choose colors mindfully. Love color? A 2016 study in Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal concluded green and blue are perceived to be the most relaxing colors in work settings. Bear in mind that yellow and purple can be highly distracting for lots of folks, and calm neutrals work well for creative types.

Small home office with reclaimed skateboard desk and serene art on wall - @carla_neidigh
@carla_neidgh…a floating desk occupies minimal space and also feels artfully modern.

9. Add Organic Touches Such As Plants

Biophilic design. Why were 9,000 trees incorporated into the design at Apple’s Silicon Valley campus? Plants increase feelings of well-being and heighten productivity. Plus there’s more. Living with plants can improve memory! While you’ll still hear chatter about plants cleaning the air, the science says they don’t…but they do impart a sense of fresh air.

Funny quote with humor on Hello Lovely Studio.

Foliage and focus. A 2008 University of Michigan study found natural environments may help to replenish our capacity for attention and focus. I’m guessing that means that even a faux ficus is helpful.

Before and after home office makeover - Sherry Hart. Paint color is Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain. #ironmountain #paintcolors #blackpaintcolors
Design Indulgence…in case you need proof paint and shelves can transform an office.

Décor for workspaces beyond plants. Keep soft textures in mind since they dampen sound. Consider botanical prints or artwork with natural, organic motifs.

Is space limited for art? Paint an accent wall an earthy green such as Benjamin Moore Flora or one of these:

9 earthy green paint colors from Benjamin Moore to consider - Hello Lovely. #greenpaint #paintcolors #earthygreen
If earthy green paint colors speak to you, pin this too!

I hope these tips increase your confidence about creating or improving your workspace at home!

If you don’t have a Pinterest board devoted to home office ideas, it’s also a savvy way to organize your plans! Also, PIN THIS POST for future reference.

Dolly Parton quote about life, making a living - Hello Lovely Studio. #moneyquotes #dollyparton #lifequotes

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Thanks for shopping RIGHT HERE to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

Hello Lovely is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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References

The Clutter Connection: How Your Personality Type Determines Why You Organize the Way You Do (Cassandra Aarssen, 2019).

Experimental Biology and Medicine (October 21, 2019), Megan E. Beerse, Theresa Van Lith, Scott M. Pickett.

“The Effects of Colour in Work Environment: A systematic review” (July 2016); Nattha Savavibool, Environment-Behaviours Proceedings Journal.

“Toward a Brain-Based Theory of Beauty” (July 6, 2011); Tomohiro Ishizu, Semir Zeki.

“The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting With Nature” (December 1, 2008); Marc G. Berman, John Jonides, Stephen Kaplan, Association for Psychological Science.

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White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing