Home Office Inspiration

“Remote work isn’t going away—and executives know it.” That headline in the Harvard Business Review (August 2023) suggests that the demand for home office space will stay strong. For further evidence, consider this Fortune.com headline: “Smucker’s return-to-office plan is a full embrace of remote worker.”

Whether you are converting a small niche space, making over a no-longer-needed bedroom, making an office space as part of a large multi-purpose room, or making a statement, we can provide a variety of inspirations.

 

Let’s start with the three home offices that were first, second and third in the Home Office Category of this year’s International Dream Room Competition judged by more than 30 interior design journalists throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The first-place space, designed by sisters Barbara Elliott and Jennifer Ward Woods of Atlanta, was a transformation of a guest bedroom into a gentleman’s casual home office with a masculine feel.

Ivory hues contrast softly alongside bold black walls and well-lit functional bookshelves. Hand-crafted accessories fill each shelf designed with organic stones from European artisans. Each is a great layering accent mixing in a multitude of interior styles. This space emits a casual elegance, making it rooted in true curb appeal.

The Second-place home office was designed by Kam Popovecz of Rochester Hills, Mich., a first-time participant in Dream Room. It is a dramatic colorful change from the previous homeowners’ dark brown.

It was “love at first sight” when the client saw the Garden Party mural. Two sophisticated chairs in bold green velvet with a touch of luxurious gold legs add glam. To further dazzle the room and address the need for storage, Kam added two credenzas in dreamy white with soft golden champagne geometric overlays. Yes, your home office can be vibrant, playful and feminine.

The judges’ third-place selection is space that is part of a basement transformation into a multiuse room designed by Kiran Arif of Cincinnati, who has been in business less than three years.

A Sputnik light fixture compensates for the lack of windows and adds interest with a sophisticated vibe. Modern metal and glass barn doors create separation from the rest of the room while still allowing maximum light into the office.

If you only have a small niche to work with, you can do something like shown to the right. If you need to provide for sleeping, there are options like the chair shown to the right.

If your home office is also right there as you enter the home, consider making it a fabulous décor statement. If books and music are your thing, incorporate them, of course.