These are unprecedented times, and more people than ever are working from home. Whether you have a designated home office or you’re currently working from the kitchen table (or couch or bed, no judgement here!), we’re sharing some of our favorite office designs and tips for how to create a functional and beautiful office space for yourself.

Choose your space wisely

If you’re designing or renovating your own home, pick an office or work space that will allow for your best productivity. If you feel most productive in a space with tons of windows, that’s great! Alternatively, if you need a quiet, remote space to really focus, an interior or lower level room might be best. If you already have an office or workspace, think through the layout for how you can arrange your existing space to best suit your needs. Facing a window is a great way to get natural light, and can also be really distracting. Sitting with your back to the window can make video calls tricky and leave you with crazy computer glare, so take everything into consideration!

Pick functional furniture

Of course you want your office to look great, but it needs to function as an office, too! Make sure to have bookshelves, file cabinets or drawers for storage if needed, and furniture that serves a purpose without just taking up space – office desks can be a huge waste of space if you don’t need all the included storage or tabletop space. If you need or want extra seating, especially if you have meetings in your home, consider a statement chair or low-profile sofa (bonus: you’ll have comfy places to sit when you’re ready for a break!) While we’re on the topic of seating, make sure to choose an office chair that’s comfortable! Investing in a high quality chair will make days at work much more bearable – and your back will thank you!

Keep things organized

Desktop clutter can be a major nightmare, and seriously hinder your work, too. Set yourself up for organizational success. If you have a lot of paperwork to keep track of, filing cabinets or another filing system are essential. Buy desktop organizers for pens and other essentials, and drawer organizers to avoid the dreaded junk drawer scenario. Basically, set up a system for organization ahead of time so you can stay on top of everything. Using vertical space is a great way to make the most of a small office; bookshelves are your friend!

Lighting is everything

If you’re lucky enough to have windows in your office, that’s great! But good overhead or accent lighting is still essential for productivity and mental health, too, not to mention the design aspect! Choose lights that add to the design of your room and make sure the brightness level is appropriate for your work – too dim and you’ll strain your eyes, too bright and fluorescent is a recipe for headaches! You can even use UV bulbs in desk lamps to mimic natural light if your office is in an interior room, which can improve mood and energy levels, too.

Make your office inspire your work

If you know you love bright, uplifting spaces, consider an accent wall or fun wallpaper in front of your desk. Hang artwork or photos that motivate you and inspire you, or quotes you like. Don’t go crazy with knick-knacks, but choose a few accent decor pieces that fit your style to kick your office up a notch. If you’re spending 8+ hours a day in this room, you want it to be a space you love!

Whether you work from home full time, are just there for now, or simply have a home office to use for household work, designing a space where you can be productive is essential. We’d love to hear your home office must-haves! Make sure to comment below, and chat with us on Instagram @AlmaHomes too!

Photography: Melissa Oholendt