It's not uncommon to dream of a simple home office. But no matter how organized your home office is, it can seem far from reality when your eyes are filled with papers and cables. Whether you work from home every day or just a few days a week, this space is part of your home's landscape. So if you've been putting off a remodel for the last decade, now's the time to do so.
So, it's time to turn to design and bring minimalism to your home office. We asked designers how to create a clutter-free work-from-home space where you'll be at your most productive. Here's what you should do.
1. Prefer streamlined built-ins
Photography by Tim Lentz for Barrett Oswald Design
(Image courtesy of Tim Lenz Photography for Barrett Oswald Designs)
A minimal, streamlined home office needs next-level storage solutions. While some may steer clear of adding extras to the framework of the room, like built-in storage, it's actually a good idea to trick appearances and make your home office space appear larger and more open.
“Built-ins can make a space look larger, rather than smaller,” says Barrett Oswald, principal designer and founder of Barrett Oswald Designs. “Having a built-in desk with enclosed storage can eliminate the need for multiple pieces of furniture and create a more streamlined design.” Particularly in a very small, minimalist home office, this can open up the space and create room for design interest.
2. Display miscellaneous items in unexpected places
Photo by Ashley McGa of Collected Interiors, Nicole Diane Photography
(Image courtesy of Nicole Dianne Photography via Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors)
To be honest, open shelves are a pretty big deal to avoid in your home office, especially if you want to “visually” eliminate clutter for a minimalist aesthetic. But even minimalists can avoid this popular storage option. Those in creative fields may need to keep a lot of “stuff” on hand at all times. Leaving it exposed is the very definition of clutter. Barrett has the answer: “Get creative! If you have a bookshelf, line it with chic baskets for easy access to small miscellaneous items. Also, go for functionality by hiding larger items like a printer inside a built-in cabinet.” Even a small desk with drawers might hide more than you think.
Find a good-looking basket: Target's Brightroom Woven Water Hyacinth Milk Crate is a classic, foolproof design, or find a container in a similar color that can double as wall decor in your home office.
“A minimalist office space is all about cultivating a calm environment that's conducive to focus and productivity,” agrees David Thompson, president and founder of Assemblage+. “Hidden storage plays a key role in maintaining an organized work surface, keeping you prepared for those impromptu video calls.” Plus, it means you'll have more space to display one of the best table lamps for your desk.
3. Choose a cream color for a calming look
Matthew Millman / Assembledge+
(Image courtesy of Matthew Millman/Assembledge+)
There's no need to explain the power of wall paint ideas – it can make your modern home office stand out from a more traditional look and transform a room from boring to brilliant in a day. For a calm, yet cosy, minimalist interior design scheme, David recommends bright, soothing hues in particular.
“Choose a neutral colour scheme featuring creamy whites, beiges and warm wood tones. Having indoor plants and windows to let in natural light and views will enhance your perception of the space and also help regulate your mood and energy throughout the day.”
White is one colour to avoid in a home office as it can come across as sterile and uninspiring, but opting for slightly warmer hues, combined with muted greenery and well-layered home office lighting, can counteract overbearing cool colours.
4. Make use of your office closet
Photo by Ashley McGa of Collected Interiors, Nicole Diane Photography
(Image courtesy of Nicole Dianne Photography via Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors)
Less clutter not only makes it easier to accentuate your minimalist aesthetic, it also makes working from home more efficient. “Investing in storage solutions can help keep the inevitable clutter of the office out of sight and make your work more productive,” says Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors. This is as much about hiding the items you use every day as it is about hiding the larger items you don't always need. You'll need to take the shelving idea up a notch here, but Ashley has a fresh approach: “Consider wall-mounted shelves or office wardrobes to store documents, printers and office supplies out of sight.”
Plus, organization in a minimalist home office needs to be impeccable: “Hide and organize wires and cables to maintain a clutter-free workspace. One trip to the Container Store will ensure all your wires are neatly tucked away.”
5. Think ergonomically in every way
Life Creation Photos for Living with Lolo
(Image courtesy of Living with Lolo's Life Created Photography)
Jerimiah Brent's home office design tips start with investing seriously in lighting and creating a reading corner, but Jerimiah also says to follow ergonomic design: “You need to find a balance between beauty and ergonomics,” which can be achieved in a home or small apartment office.
Stylish office chairs do exist, and they might steal the show from a cool desk… and interior designer Lauren Lerner agrees: “A minimalist home office setup prioritises functionality and organisation with an uncluttered desk and ergonomic chair, minimise clutter with multifunctional storage, and embrace natural light and simple décor to create a calm, inspiring workspace that promotes focus and productivity,” says the Living with Lolo founder.
How can you make your minimalist home office look great?
Minimalism in interior design doesn't have to mean cold and bleak (not anymore). “Make it warm and inviting. A well-designed, personalized space not only inspires but also motivates its inhabitants to keep it clean and clutter-free,” says Ashley. Think about the perfect candle scent for your home office, your favorite prints, houseplants, and the things that inspire you every day. For a clutter-free, minimalist home office that will fit any modern home, consider the following: