Home Office Decorating Ideas

Citrus shades like orange and yellow bring warmth to your home office while adding a splash of colour. These uplifting and mood-boosting hues are sure to inspire you throughout the day

Go as bold or subtle as you like – Pale Citrus is a soft pastel yellow that works well instead of warm neutrals, while Lemon Pie and Tangerine Twist are statement shades. Use them as accent colours on a feature wall or shelving, or introduce them with furniture, soft furnishings and decorative accessories if you don’t want to paint.  

Calming tones

Nature-inspired hues like green and blue are amongst the most calming shades, making them a popular choice for home offices that double as a self-care sanctuary. Blue is said to boost productivity, whether you prefer pared-back pale blues like Mineral Mist, uplifting brights like Sea Blue, or deeper tones like Sapphire Salute for a cosy feel.

If you want to create a soothing green home office, Nordic Spa and Willow Tree are excellent alternatives to neutrals. Bolder hues like Pixie Green and Buckingham add a unique touch to your space and can be paired with any neutrals or lighter greens for a tonal effect.

Muted neutrals

Neutral colours are the perfect choice for creating a chic and timeless visual palette. They can also optimise focus for some people by reducing the ambient stimulation caused by brighter shades.

If you love the cosy appeal of a warm, neutral home office, colours like Elderflower Tea and Spiced Honey are excellent choices. Cool-toned neutrals have a clean, modern feel – ideal for home offices. Opt for greys like Pale Slate and Storm Clearing.

Home office decorating techniques

There are several ways to incorporate your favourite shades into your home office, from painted walls to decorative accessories.

Create an accent wall

Playing with bold colours is a way to personalise your home office and add some playfulness to your working hours. We recommend choosing an area with plenty of natural light to bring your vibrant colours to life and prevent the space from feeling overpowered. Choose one shade to create a stand-out feature wall, or opt for a two-tone design to give your walls a dynamic look.

Alternatively, combine function with design and create a multi-purpose wall. Pegboard and cork are two clever materials for accent walls or panels, allowing you to store or display items easily. Pegboard is well suited to heavier loads, while cork is perfect for organising notes and artwork.

Add personality with decorative accessories

Choosing accessories that combine style and function is one of the easiest ways to transform your workspace on a budget. A wall-mounted organiser helps personalise your workspace with reminders and notes, as well as photographs or special mementoes. Wall art, plants, and other decorative accessories can make the space feel more lived-in, but don’t overclutter your desk with trinkets, as this can be distracting while working.

Home office furnishing ideas

Furniture is one of the most important considerations when decorating a home office, especially your desk and chair, as they’ll need to be ergonomically designed for maximum support and comfort. Lighting and spatial design can also make all the difference in your office. Explore our top furnishing ideas below to get inspired.

Consider multifunctional storage and furniture

Shelves aren’t just for storage; they can also serve as a desk setup for your home workstation. This multifunctional design is useful for smaller spaces that need to maximise floor space, as standard desks can take up too much room. 

When it comes to choosing furniture for your home office, clean and simple is the best choice for creating a focused work environment. Minimalist furniture looks chic and will keep your office optimised for work. Just make sure it’s comfortable and supportive, too!

Include soft furnishings

If your office feels too cold and clinical, you won’t enjoy spending time there. Make it feel soft and welcoming as soon as you step inside with rugs, curtains, cushions, and throws. These additions provide sensory comfort and create texture, contrasting the hard surfaces found in home offices like desks, shelves, and storage units.

Maximise natural light

Natural light has several health benefits and provides your home office with a free light source! We recommend finding a space with plenty of natural light to receive all of the energising benefits of sunlight throughout your work day. In home offices with little natural light, consider investing in artificial light sources, including lamps and overhead lighting, to ensure the space is bright at all times.

Cool home office ideas

Looking for more home office interior ideas? Consider using Dulux Colour of the Year 2024 in your home office for an on-trend design. Sweet Embrace brings a soft touch of pastel pink to your space and pairs well with greens, neutrals and many other shades. Alternatively, explore our guide to home office paint colours for small spaces.