Modern home office: How to create a workspace you love

With more people working from home, the modern home office is in higher demand than ever. Fortunately, with just a few essential furniture pieces, you can set up a workspace that’s ergonomic and functional. As a bonus, a home office with a modern aesthetic can be more affordable because of the emphasis on minimalism.

Carving out a home office space can foster creativity and productivity throughout the workday. After all, having a designated workspace makes it easier to focus and much more enjoyable than carting your laptop around the house. Learn how to create your own modern home office along with a list of must-have pieces.

Modern home office ideas

Everyone needs a little something different from their workspace. As such, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to designing a modern home office. The key is to make it personal and carefully consider what you need from your space to inspire creativity and productivity.

With this in mind, you can transform any dining room, guest room, or empty living room corner into a modern home office. That’s right — you don’t need an extra room for a home office. You also don’t need to be a professional interior designer.

Choose your office chair

Your first step to designing a modern home office is picking an ergonomic office chair. Nearly 50% of people have back problems related to poor seat design, and choosing the wrong desk chair could make you part of this statistic.

To ensure a comfortable seat, choose an office chair with adjustable seat height. You want to be able to sit with your feet flat on the floor, keeping your thighs roughly parallel to the floor. If you type frequently, you’ll also probably want armrests.

A swivel chair is best because it lets you move around without craning your neck. You’ll also want lumbar support and height-adjustable armrests to lessen the stress on your body. Also, opt for a fabric, leather, or faux leather cushioned seat to stay comfortable during those long days at the computer.

You can also buy a desk and chair set and then adjust as needed with a footrest, seat cushion, or lumbar pillow to improve the ergonomics.

Pick a modern desk

Once you have a chair, you’re ready to select a modern desk. To keep it ergonomically sound, you want your computer monitor to sit at eye-level on the desk. The best desk height typically ranges between 25 inches and 30 inches, but 29 inches is a standard height for many office desks.

You also need to measure your space and choose a desk that fits. This step is crucial. If you’re designing an office nook in the living room, you’ll probably need a smaller option than if you’re turning the guest room into an office.

Don’t forget to plan for extras such as a bookcase or filing cabinet. If you don’t have much space, try using shelving on the wall for your storage needs. Another point to consider is whether you want a desk lamp or floor lamp. If you want a desk lamp, you might need a larger desk to accommodate it.

For a minimalist approach, you might choose a desk with built-in storage to avoid needing extra furniture. Another minimalist approach to designing a modern desk space is using a simple, streamlined piece like the Amaturo clear glass-top writing desk with a nearby bookshelf for storage.

Choosing bookcases and file cabinets

Everyone’s workspace is different, so it’s up to you whether or not you need a bookcase, filing cabinet, or both. Think about what you need on hand when you’re working and choose accordingly. And since it’s a home office, consider what personal things you’d like as well.

For example, if you need to store binders, books — and a few personal knick-knacks to brighten your day — a bookcase might do the trick. If you need to store large amounts of paper that can’t be converted to digital storage, you might want to add a filing cabinet.

Converting things to digital format can help if you have a small space. Think about what could be scanned and transferred to storage on an external hard drive. You might find that you don’t need as much physical storage as you thought! Also, a filing cabinet can pull double duty as a small shelf since you can place things on top of it.

Set up good lighting

Bright workplaces with plenty of natural light promote the most productivity and a good mood. If you can, set up your office in a space with windows to let in natural light. If that’s not possible, a lamp set or bright floor lamp is a must-have.

You want lighting in your whole home office, not just by your desk. A dark office with light only by the desk can feel dreary to work in. To avoid this scenario, you may need to add a pendant light or use higher wattage bulbs in existing light fixtures along with adding a bright table lamp or floor lamp set. Sconces along the wall can also help illuminate your office.

If your room has several windows, you might also want window treatments to block out the afternoon sun. Bright sun glare can prevent you from seeing your screen, which is not good for getting work done.

What if I don’t have room for a home office?

Sure, all of these ideas for a modern home office sound wonderful, but what if you don’t have room? Never fear. You can set up a desk in the corner of a master bedroom, living room, dining area, or even under the stairs. A dining table can also pull double duty as a DIY desk space, especially if you can convert it semi-permanently as your workspace.

If you need more proof that hope is not lost in a small space, check out our guide dedicated to small home office ideas. Home office interior design can feel challenging with limited space, but we’re confident you can design a small home office that you love.

How to make home office design ideas modern

Modern interior design is a sleek style that originated in the late 19th century. It’s uncluttered and fuss-free, and most designers focus on minimalist interior decor. Modern interior design focuses on block colors and industrial materials, and patterns are few and far between. It may also incorporate elements of mid-century modern, Scandinavian, or contemporary interior design.

It’s challenging to pin down modern home decor since it has spanned more than a century. But we’ve highlighted some elements to focus on so you can capture that flawless modern look:

• Clean lines
• Simplicity
• Modern art
• Glass, concrete, and stainless steel
• Abstract forms
• Neutral-toned walls
• Minimal clutter
• Primary color blocks
• Large windows
• Open floor plans
• Streamlined furniture

If you can incorporate even a few of these in your office, you’ll have a modern feel. For example, you might go with sleek office furniture, cabinetry made from industrial materials, and a neutral color palette with a pop of primary color. Or you could opt for simple, clean pieces like a glass desk and clear bookcase.

Furniture for modern home office design

Take a look at some of our favorite modern home office furniture. The more inspiration you have, the easier it will be to create a workspace you’ll look forward to spending time in.

Myers Adjustable Height Standing Desk

This adjustable desk can go from 28 inches high (perfect for most seating arrangements) to 48 inches for a standing setup. Adjustable standing desks are popular in offices that focus on ergonomics because they allow you to switch between sitting and standing throughout the day. Having this feature can lessen the strain on your spine without taking away the option to sit down when you want.

Adjustable Height Office Chair

This classic-looking adjustable office chair will keep you comfortable working from home. With mesh lumbar support for breathability and a molded seat, you’ll be able to handle long hours with ease. You can also take advantage of multiple adjustment features for the best ergonomics for your body. With caster wheels and a spoke base, this swivel chair also offers mobility throughout the workday.

Bookcase With Cube Storage Compartments

If you want bookshelves and a file cabinet combined, try this bookcase with cube storage. This timeless office accessory has a staggered staircase silhouette with three top surfaces, five open compartments, three doors, and two center drawers. You’ll have plenty of room for paperwork, office essentials, personal decor, and more.

Bower 5-Shelf Ladder Bookcase

Bring some personality and charm to your modern office with this elegant ladder bookcase. With eye-catching angles and linear shapes, you’ll have a pleasing and spacious modern display area. You can pair it with a two-shelf ladder writing desk and a second ladder bookcase on either side for a complete storage and work solution in any room.

Skylar 3-Drawer Mobile Storage Cabinet

This mobile filing cabinet can add a dose of modern fashion and functionality to any office. With built-in caster wheels, it can move around easily and nestle beside almost any modern desk. It’s made to go with the Skylar Computer Desk, a great option if you’d like a matching set.

Geometric Base Table Lamp

Add bold lines and a silver finish to your modern home office with this beautiful geometric table lamp. The square lampshade and zig-zag pattern add visual intrigue and some serious cool factor. If you love the look, you can add a matching floor lamp to complete the set.

Versatile Shelf Tower Floor Lamp

If you’d like extra light and a few spare shelves for decorations, this shelf tower lamp will do the trick. With an elegant silhouette and tapered shape, this floor lamp plays up the modern theme. The lamp also features clear glass shelving at each level, a frosted glass shade, and a three-way switch.

Time to get to work in style

Are you ready to create a modern home office you’ll fall in love with? With a modern theme and elegant office furniture, you’re limited only by your imagination. From setting up a nook and floating desk in the living room to converting the guest bedroom to a full office, it just takes a few staples to get it right. Check out the many options in the home office section from Coaster Furniture for more ideas on creating a workspace that ignites creativity and encourages productivity.

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