{"id":2722,"date":"2026-11-02T16:31:04","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T16:31:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehousebymalasa.com\/?p=2722"},"modified":"2026-11-05T10:20:29","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T10:20:29","slug":"home-office-how-to-design-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehousebymalasa.com\/en\/blog\/home-office-how-to-design-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Home Office: How to Design It"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Designing a home office involves addressing five key aspects: location, workstation dimensions, natural and artificial lighting, storage, and noise. When these elements are well thought out, the home office allows you to work comfortably throughout the day and blends seamlessly into your home without feeling like an office that\u2019s been transplanted there. <\/p>

Working from home is no longer an exception, but many home offices are still makeshift setups in a corner of the living room or bedroom. In this guide, we go over each of these aspects and the customized solutions that let you make the most of even the most challenging spaces. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Where to locate the office<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Location is one of the first decisions you need to make when designing a home office. Whenever possible, it\u2019s best to choose a space with plenty of natural light, some privacy, and enough floor space<\/strong> to work without getting in the way of traffic in the home. <\/p>

It’s not essential to have a dedicated room. Here are the most common locations and how to handle each one: <\/p>

Location<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

When is it appropriate?<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

How to Solve It<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>

Vacant Room<\/p><\/td>

When you can devote an entire stay to work<\/p><\/td>

It’s the simplest option: it separates the workspace from the rest of the house and lets you close the door when you’re done for the day<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Living Room<\/p><\/td>

In small homes or homes without an available room<\/p><\/td>

A table built into a bookshelf, cabinet fronts with a work area, or a desk designed to fit into a niche<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Bedroom<\/p><\/td>

For an occasional position<\/p><\/td>

A lightweight design and storage solution that keeps the room uncluttered<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Hallway, space under the stairs, or unused wall<\/p><\/td>

To make the most of spaces that serve no other purpose<\/p><\/td>

Custom-made furniture, tailored to the actual dimensions of the space<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Minimum dimensions of an office<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The size of an office depends on the type of work and the equipment needed. A workstation used solely for a laptop requires less space than one where you work with multiple monitors, documents, a printer, or filing materials. <\/p>

As a general guideline, a depth of 60 to 80 cm<\/strong> usually provides a comfortable work surface. The width will depend on the number of devices and the available space, but it should allow you to place frequently used items without the table becoming cluttered. <\/p>

That depth should also allow for sufficient distance between the user and the screen: for typical office tasks, the distance between the eyes and the screen should not be less than 40 cm<\/strong>, according to the INSST technical note on viewing distances<\/a> (1990), which remains the agency\u2019s standard in this regard.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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You should also pay attention to the space set aside for the chair<\/strong>. It\u2019s not enough for the table to physically fit; you need to be able to sit down, stand up, and move around comfortably. <\/p>

The chair deserves just as much attention as the desk. If you\u2019ll be spending many hours at your desk, it\u2019s best to choose a height-adjustable chair<\/strong> with a backrest that supports your back, and to make sure the desk allows you to rest your forearms with your shoulders relaxed. The top of the screen should be approximately at eye level. <\/p>

In small offices, a floating desk or one built into a piece of furniture<\/strong> can be a good option for making better use of the space. On the other hand, when there is more space available, it\u2019s also a good idea to consider storage and potential additional work areas. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Natural and Artificial Lighting<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Lighting is one of the factors that most influence the comfort of an office. Natural light is especially valuable, but the workstation<\/strong> must be positioned correctly<\/strong> to avoid reflections and glare on the screen, as recommended in the INSST technical guide<\/a> for workstations with computer monitors. <\/p>

A position perpendicular to the window<\/strong> is usually a good choice, since it allows you to take advantage of side lighting without having it directly in front of or behind the monitor. The layout will depend on the room’s orientation and how the light enters throughout the day. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Artificial lighting should complement natural light<\/strong>. General lighting provides even illumination throughout the room, while a task lamp or an adjustable light fixture can provide additional light over the desk. If you\u2019d like to learn more, we recommend our article on home lighting<\/a>. <\/p>

It is also best to avoid excessive contrasts<\/strong> between a brightly lit desk and a dark surroundings. In an office where people spend many hours working, balanced lighting helps create a more comfortable environment. <\/p>

The very design of the furniture can incorporate lighting solutions. A custom bookshelf with built-in lighting, for example, frees up space on the table and provides functional lighting without adding unnecessary elements. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Custom Furniture<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Custom furniture<\/a> allows you to tailor the office to the specific dimensions<\/strong> of your home and meet needs that standard furniture cannot fulfill.<\/p>

A single unit<\/strong> can combine a desk, drawers, shelves, and cabinets, making the most of both the available width and height. This reduces the number of separate pieces and creates a neater look. <\/p>

This is an interesting solution when the office is located in a small or irregularly shaped space<\/strong>. A gap between pillars, a slanted wall, or the area under a staircase can be turned into a fully functional workspace if the furniture is specifically designed for these spaces. <\/p>

It also allows you to decide how to organize your storage. Frequently used documents and items can be kept within easy reach, while cables, office supplies, or less decorative items can be hidden away in closed cabinets. <\/p>

When the home office is part of the living room or another common area, this integration is even more important. The furniture can use the same materials, colors, and finishes<\/strong> as the rest of the room so that the work area feels like a natural extension of the home. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Modern Home Offices<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A modern home office doesn’t have to mimic the look of a conventional office. The decor of a home office can follow the same design language as the rest of the interior<\/strong>, from the materials to the colors and furniture. <\/p>

Simple lines, natural materials, a soft color palette, and built-in storage make it possible to create contemporary workspaces that maintain a connection with the rest of the home and complement a variety of interior design styles<\/a>.<\/p>

When it comes to color, neutral tones<\/strong> like off-white, beige, or light gray work well as a base because they aren\u2019t distracting and visually expand the space. They\u2019re the safest choice for decorating a small office, while in spacious, well-lit rooms, you can incorporate deeper shades\u2014such as olive green or grayish blue\u2014on a wall or in the furniture. <\/p>

Decorative elements complete the look without compromising functionality. Some that work particularly well in an office are: <\/p>