5 ways to make your home office looks less like an office

Pia Seidel

5.10.2023

Translation: Veronica Bielawski

The boundaries between our working and living spaces are fluid. In fact, there’s no rule that your home office has to scream «work». Here are some ways to liven it up.

Your home office setup is highly dependent on your preferences and your job. But there are a few tricks to make any office space not only efficient, but also pretty.

1. An inviting colour palette

Looking at office furnishings, you’d be forgiven for thinking there are only three colours: white, black and grey. But wouldn’t work be so much more fun in a Villa Villekilla-style space?! I say don’t settle for the limited options. Reach out to the manufacturer to find out if the desk or cabinet you’re eyeing is available in any other colours – or grab a paint brush and take matters into your own hands.

Alternatively, you can play around with coloured walls or choose furniture and home accessories made from warm materials such as wood, leather or rattan. Compared to cool metals like chrome, brown tones will make the room look friendlier.

2. Unconventional furniture

I’ve never quite understood the obsession with sprawling rectangular tables. Isn’t it enough that our rooms are largely delineated by right angles? Sure, in open-plan offices, it may be important that desks can be arranged side by side. But if you only need one sole desk at home, dare to try something new!

For example, you can opt for furniture with an organic design. It follows nature’s design language, characterised by flowing, curved lines and shapes. The hitch? Round desks are a rare commodity. The alternative? Look for a round dining table to serve as a desk instead. Its gentle silhouette will blend seamlessly into any interior. Some models are even foldable, allowing you to use only half of the tabletop and push it against the wall to save space.

Dining table

CHF1279.–

Dutchbone Barlet

Dining table

CHF535.–

Kave Home Maryse

120 x 75 cm

Dining table

Ragaba Cell LIM

100 x 100 x 75 cm

Dining table

CHF1279.–

Dutchbone Barlet

Dining table

CHF535.–

Kave Home Maryse

Dining table

Ragaba Cell LIM

The same applies to office chairs: organically shaped models – as opposed to clunky and angular ones – contribute to a relaxing and harmonious vibe. They’re anything but boring, especially if they’re colourful or feature wooden elements.

Office chairs

Normann Copenhagen Hyg

Office chairs

HAG Tion

Office chairs

HAG Capisco

Office chairs

Normann Copenhagen Hyg

Office chairs

HAG Tion

Office chairs

HAG Capisco

If round designs still don’t appeal to you, console tables are another elegant alternative. They’re narrow and unobtrusive when placed against a wall or in a corner.

Desks

−27%

CHF231.– was CHF316.–

Tojo write

76 x 110 x 50 cm

Desks

Ragaba Ashme

114 x 61 x 75 cm

Desks

Sedus secretair home

−27%

Desks

CHF231.– was CHF316.–

Tojo write

Desks

Ragaba Ashme

Desks

Sedus secretair home

3. Lovely lighting

If possible, place your desk near a window to take advantage of daylight. It, along with being able to take a break and enjoy the view, will improve your working environment. When winter hits and sunlight becomes scarce, a table lamp will help out. But careful: don’t settle for just any old office lamp. Instead, treat yourself to a fancy lamp you’d be happy to see in your living room – one that still looks pretty when switched off, with vibrant colours or a soft shape. And no matter which design you choose, smart LED bulbs are always a good idea, allowing you to adjust the colour of the lighting as well as its intensity. Make sure the illumination is even within your field of vision, so you’re not blinded by one side.

Table lamps

CHF122.42

Oyoy Table Lamp Kasa 50 cm, Caramel

E14

Table lamps

CHF115.–

Hübsch Crea

800 lm

Table lamps

CHF519.–

Verpan Reflect

E14

Table lamps

CHF122.42

Oyoy Table Lamp Kasa 50 cm, Caramel

Table lamps

CHF115.–

Hübsch Crea

Table lamps

CHF519.–

Verpan Reflect

4. A personal touch

Decorative elements such as plants, candles or personal items can make your home office more personal and cosy. Set accents with photos, mementos or artwork that inspires you. A mood board can also improve your focus, let your creativity run wild, and help you feel more at ease.

5. No cable spaghetti

Tech such as headphones, keyboards, power strips and the like are essential tools, but often result in cable spaghetti. How to avoid it? Go for hardware with a subtle look that’s unobtrusive thanks to cable management systems and boxes. Or look for crafty, aesthetically pleasing solutions like textile-coated wireless chargers. There are also two-in-one solutions such as wireless lamps with integrated charging stations that provide visual peace of mind.

Cable boxes

CHF16.–

Hama Cable box

63

Cable boxes

Remember Deep Blue

2

Table lamps

CHF103.–

Lexon Bubble Lamp

150 lm

6

Cable boxes

CHF16.–

Hama Cable box

63

Cable boxes

Remember Deep Blue

2

Table lamps

CHF103.–

Lexon Bubble Lamp

6

Pia Seidel

Senior Editor

Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.ch

Like a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.

Follow

---

Interior

Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest

Follow topic

These articles might also interest you