How can I create the best home office?
Designing the best home office can completely change how productive, focused and comfortable you feel working from home.
Working from home has become a regular part of life for millions of people. Whether you work fully remote, split your time between the office and home, or run your own business, a well-designed home office can completely transform your productivity, mood and comfort.
The problem is that most of our homes weren’t designed initially with remote work in mind. You might have a spare room that has turned into a storage cupboard, a kitchen table that doubles as a workspace, or a bedroom corner that functions as a desk one minute and a dressing table the next.
The good news? Creating the best home office doesn’t require a big house, a huge budget or a full renovation. With smart planning, clever design and a few simple upgrades, you can build a workspace that supports your concentration, boosts your motivation and helps you enjoy your working day far more.
Why a great home office matters
It’s easy to assume that working remotely means opening your laptop anywhere in the house, but the difference between ‘making do’ and having a proper workspace is huge. A well-designed office can:
- Reduce stress and frustration
- Improve your posture and reduce back or neck pain
- Help you concentrate for longer
- Boost your daily motivation
- Reduce household distractions
- Improve work-life balance
- Help you mentally ‘switch off’ at the end of the day
Most importantly, when your workspace is comfortable and functional, you work better. You think more clearly, stay organised, and avoid burnout.
So, how do you build the perfect home office? It starts with choosing the right location.
Choosing the perfect location for your home office
Finding the right spot is the most important step. Even if you don’t have a spare room, there’s almost always a smart solution
Option 1: A dedicated spare room
If you have a spare bedroom or an unused box room, this is the ideal choice. A separate room gives you:
- Privacy
- Quiet
- The mental separation between work and home
- The chance to close the door and walk away at the end of the day
Even a small box room can become an amazing, cosy workspace with the right layout.
Option 2: A corner office in a larger room
If you don’t have a spare room, think about carving out a section of:
- Your bedroom
- The living room
- The dining room
- The hallway (yes, really)!
A large landing or upstairs nook
The trick is to define the boundary. Use a rug, a slim bookshelf, a room divider or a change of lighting to mark out your workspace clearly.
Option 3: The kitchen table, your temporary productivity hub
The kitchen table is one of the most popular workspaces for people working from home.
It’s usually bright, spacious, and already set up for sitting comfortably. This can be an excellent short-term solution.
If you keep your workspace tidy and pack it away at the end of the day, it helps you maintain boundaries.
Option 4: The garden office (Log cabin, studio, or pod)
Garden offices have exploded in popularity since 2020. They offer:
- Complete separation from your house
- Peace and quiet
- Natural light
- A professional environment
They’re perfect for people who take calls, run a business or spend long hours working. You can buy ready-made insulated cabins or hire a builder to create a fully personalised space.
Option 5: An attic, basement or loft conversion
If you already use these areas as living space, they make fantastic home offices because they feel tucked away and private.
Planning your home office layout
Once you’ve chosen your location, you need to build a layout that supports comfort and concentration. Think about three things:
Where will your desk go?
The ideal desk position is:
- Near natural light
- Facing a wall, or a window if you prefer it
- Away from the busiest areas of your home
Facing a window can be lovely, but it can also be distracting, so test both.
Where will your storage go?
You might need space for:
- Notebooks
- Files or folders
- Tech accessories
- Charging cables
- Stationery
- Any work specific equipment
If you don’t have a lot of space, then try:
- Vertical shelves
- Wall mounted grids
- Pegboards
- Drawer organisers
- Slimline cabinets
How will you keep the space clutter free?
Clutter is the fastest way to lose focus. Keep your workspace minimal and reserve personal items for just a few key touches.
Choosing the right desk for comfort and productivity
The desk is the heart of your home office. Before you choose one, think about:
Size and shape
Do you need:
- A standing straight desk
- An L-shaped desk
- A corner desk
- A folding desk for small spaces
- A wall-mounted drop-down desk
L-shaped desks are fantastic if you multitask or need multiple screens.
Height
Your desk should allow your arms to sit at a 90-degree angle while typing. If your desk is too high or low, you’ll end up with wrist, shoulder or neck pain.
Standing desks
- Standing desks are hugely popular for health and posture. You can choose:
- Fully electric height-adjustable desks
- Manual standing desks
- Standing desk converters
Even switching to standing for just 30 minutes a day can improve energy levels.
Finding the perfect home office chair
A good chair is one of the best investments you can make for your health.
Look for:
- Adjustable height
- Lumbar support
- Adjustable armrests
- Breathable materials
- A supportive back
If your chair isn’t ergonomic, you’ll feel it quickly, especially if you work long hours.
A bad chair can cause:
- Back pain
- Headaches
- Shoulder tension
- Poor posture
- Reduced focus
You don’t need to buy the most expensive model on the market, but make sure you choose something comfortable with proper support.
Lighting: One of the most overlooked productivity boosters
Light has a massive impact on how awake, focused and positive you feel.
Natural light is the best option because it helps regulate your energy levels and reduces eye strain, so placing your desk near a window and keeping windowsills free can create a bright and balanced atmosphere.
When you get the lighting right, your workspace feels calmer and more inviting, helping you stay productive for longer.
Tech essentials for the best home office setup
Your technology plays a significant role in making your workday run smoothly, so choosing reliable equipment is essential.
A good laptop or desk should match the kind of work you do, and allow you to multitask without slowing down.
Adding a second monitor can dramatically improve your efficiency by giving you more screen space for research, design, admin work or anything that requires multiple windows.
A strong and stable internet connection is essential for remote work, so upgrading your Wi-Fi can make a big difference.
Decorating and personalising your home office
A comfortable workspace is much easier to work in, so decorating your home office in a way that feels calming and personal can significantly improve your mood.
Adding plants can boost your productivity and improve air quality, while artwork or motivational prints can make the space feel more inviting.
The goal is to strike a balance between function and personality, creating a space you enjoy spending time in while keeping distractions to a minimum.
A few carefully chosen items are often all you need to make your workspace feel like your own.
Smart storage solutions for any sized home office
No matter how big or how small your workspace is, storage is essential for keeping your desk tidy and your mind clear.
If your home office is part of a shared room like a living area or bedroom, decorative boxes, storage baskets or foldaway desks can help you maintain a clean and unified look.
By keeping everything organised, you create a workspace that feels more professional and much easier to maintain.
How to stay productive when working from home
A great home office helps, but your daily habits are what make the biggest difference to your productivity.
- Sticking to a routine, including starting and finishing work at roughly the same time each day, helps your mind switch into work mode easily.
- Working from bed or the sofa might seem appealing, but both habits reduce focus and lead to poor posture over time.
- Taking regular breaks keeps your energy levels steady, while getting dressed for the day can subtly improve your motivation.
- Keeping your workspace tidy also helps you stay organised and reduces unnecessary distractions.
- If you live with others, communicating your schedule can minimise interruptions and help you maintain a smooth workflow throughout the day.
The biggest mistakes to avoid when working from home
There are several common mistakes people make when working from home, and avoiding them can significantly improve your overall experience.
Working in noisy or high-traffic areas can make it hard to concentrate, while using an unsupportive chair or ignoring lighting needs can lead to physical discomfort and eye strain.
Without clear boundaries between work and home life, it is easy to overwork and feel burnt out. Household chores can also become tempting distractions, especially if you do not separate your workspace from the rest of your home.
Eating lunch at your desk or failing to move throughout the day can reduce your energy and productivity. By recognising these pitfalls early, you can set up healthier habits that support your wellbeing and workflow.
How can a great home office increase your property’s value?
A well-designed home office has become a highly desirable feature for buyers, especially as remote and hybrid work remain common. Many people value the ability to work comfortably from home, which means dedicated studies, spare rooms and garden offices are now seen as major property assets.
Even a small office space thoughtfully presented can make your home feel more functional, modern, and appealing. If you plan to sell in future, creating a clean, attractive and practical workspace can help your property stand out from others on the market.
Buyers often view a well-designed office as a convenient bonus that saves them time and effort, making your home more competitive overall.
Do you want a bigger office? Planning to move house?
If your current home lacks the space you need for a proper office, you may start thinking about upsizing.
Remote work has become permanent for many people, so having a comfortable, dedicated workspace is no longer a luxury but a necessity. The challenge is that selling a home on the open market can take months, and managing viewings or dealing with uncertain buyers can add stress to an already busy life.
This is where We Buy Any House can offer a simple solution. We offer a free cash offer within 24 hours so that you can sell your home quickly without estate agent fees, viewings, or delays.
If you want to move to a home with enough space for the office you have in mind, this route makes the transition faster and easier.
How do I sell my house fast?
Selling your home quickly is possible when you choose a cash-buying service, which removes many of the delays and complications of the traditional property market.
With We Buy Any House, the process is straightforward and designed to give you certainty. You begin by sharing basic information about your property online, and you then receive a free, no-obligation cash offer.
If you decide to proceed, you can choose a completion date that suits your schedule, with no chains or lengthy negotiations involved.
This approach allows you to avoid the stress of viewings, buyer dropouts or drawn-out legal processes, giving you the freedom to focus on finding a new home that offers the workspace and lifestyle you need.
Conclusion
Creating the best home office is all about designing a space that supports your comfort, boosts your productivity and fits naturally into your daily routine. Whether you are transforming a spare room, carving out a cosy corner or dreaming about a dedicated garden studio, the goal is to make your workspace work for you.
With the right lighting, ergonomic furniture, organised storage and a few personal touches, you can create an environment that keeps you focused and motivated throughout the day.
If you eventually realise your current home simply does not have the space you need for the office you want, moving to a bigger property might be the next step.
Selling on the open market can be stressful and slow, but We Buy Any House can help you skip the uncertainty.
With a free cash offer, no estate agent fees and completion in as little as seven days, you can move on your terms and build the home office you have always wanted.
A great workspace can genuinely transform the way you work and live, and now you have all the tools you need to create yours.