Are you working from home and need your own office space?
When working from home, it’s important to have a space dedicated to your working schedule. It helps keep your mind focused and distraction-free.
In an ideal world, it would be an entire room you can leave and close off at the end of the day. Most of us don’t have that much space to work with, and if that’s you, you might be wondering where your office should go.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Read on for these ideas to get the perfect living room office to suit your needs.
Why Choose the Living Room?
When you’re short on space, rooms have to perform several different functions all at once. Your living room is often the largest space, and this will work in your favor. You want a space you can separate off from in and out of your workday. You should strike the balance of blending in their style and design, but keep each area’s function.
This way, your result will fuse the spaces and create a more cohesive look. It’ll also prevent your work and home life from merging, giving you some much-needed separation.
It might sound complicated, but in reality, it’s easier than you might think. You can achieve a stylish, sleek look with a few furniture additions and some layout tweaks. When home office decorating, start with your basic furniture requirements.
Add in a desk and some storage options, and use a room divider to section off, for example. Or you can go for a corner office and section off this area for this purpose. Even a console table to one side that you can pull up a chair to will work.
The key is to tie in your office furniture with the style of your living room furniture. You have full creative control over your home office, so design it to your tastes.
Remember, the key is to blend your office in so it looks like it’s meant to be part of the design. You don’t want it sticking out like a sore thumb.
Factor in any distractions too, like your TV or the proximity to the kitchen. You don’t want to spend the day unproductive, and not able to get into the flow of work. Make sure you position your desk facing away from those distractions. The ideal position is facing a window, so you get a great view, but a few tweaks to a blank wall space will give the same feel.
Keep your space clear, tidy, and free of clutter. You must stay organized too. A tidy space will help you keep a tidy, focused mind. Get that executive feel from the comfort of your home, without compromising productivity.
Use the Space Behind Your Sofa
For open-plan living rooms, add a little extra function to your seating area. Behind the sofa is a great option for placing your desk. It’ll make use of the best views in the house you chose for your seating.
Add in your swivel chair that’s in keeping with your decor and a lamp, keeping the space tidy. Consider a nice vase full of fresh, seasonal flowers for an extra touch. It’ll blend in and make the most of that empty, unused space in a stylish, practical way.
Make a Corner Nook
You don’t have to use a divider to break up your space. A living room office nook makes a great, natural solution for sectioning off some space. Often, they’re unused spaces anyway, so it adds some purpose too.
Put up some artwork, feature wallpaper, or design some practical, statement shelving. It’s a great opportunity to bring in a custom furniture piece that will add a real statement to your living room.
Bound Yourself Off with Book
For all those book-loving creative types this is one for you. Consider using a pile of books to make that separation between living and office space.
This is a great way to make a cozy workspace that feels tucked away, quiet, and recreates that bookstore feel. Surround yourself with mystery and the unknown from unread stories. It’s sure to get those creative juices flowing.
Think Mini-Desk
Space is at a premium, and sometimes you might not need a huge desk and an army of storage shelves. A small home office might work better. Instead of a full desk, consider a mini round table, or smaller desk options.
A lot of mini desks now come with built-in storage solutions so you can still keep on top of your organization game. The difference is, you’re not sacrificing so much space. You can the most out of the smallest space, without making it feel cluttered and impractical.
Create an Accent Wall
Consider making your home office area an accent wall. You can use different paint colors, or funky wallpaper to make it stand out or create unique shelving that will make a statement. This is an especially effective option for corner office spaces.
Or, even, consider magnetic chalkboard paint to add a little fun into your workday. It’ll help keep you organized, but make the process a lot more fun. Your office space doesn’t need to be a boring, corporate environment.
Use Excess Passageway Space
When it comes to living room office ideas, you don’t have to stick to the main living area. A console can give the dual purpose of a vanity and a desk while tucking out of the way. A lot of the time, they’re thin enough to fit into a passway way leading into your room.
With smaller desk chairs available too, this is a real contender if you’re short on space. Try adding a console near a doorway or hallway. You’ll add function and style to an unused patch of wall.
Go with a Shelving Desk
Another great option for those who are tight on living room office space is to use a shelving unit. Combine your storage and desk needs into one. You can pull up a chair and have a shelf at the right height to put your laptop.
The rest can hold your folders, books, and other office equipment. When you’re not using it, it’ll still make a neat, tidy feature for your living space.
Living Room Office Ideas Made Easy
So, there you have it! Now you know these living room office ideas, you’ll be sure to get the space you deserve.
You’ll need to be creative, and remember that your office should blend in with the rest of your living room decor. But it also has to be practical, meeting all the functions you need it to. Get it right and you’ll add functionality as well as a great statement piece to your living room.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out our other blog posts today!