There’s something about a fresh start that shifts your whole energy. I’ve recently gone through big season of change, and it feels incredibly grounding to have life settling back into place, and creating new spaces that reflect who I am right now.
Today I’m giving you a full look inside my new home office, sharing the exact pieces I used and, more importantly, the design decisions behind it so you can create your own stylish home office. Even if you’re renting or working with an awkward layout.
If you’re searching for home office ideas or inspiration, I hope this space shows that you don’t need a huge room or a massive budget to create something beautiful.
Related article: Designing your dream home office: A space that fuels inspiration
Related article: DIY oversized pinboard for under $30 (designer look on a budget)
Designing a home office in an awkward-shaped room
A challenge in this room is that it isn’t perfectly square. The door is positioned on an angled wall that swings inwards, creating a large dead zone that could have easily become wasted space.
Instead of fighting the layout, I decided to embrace it, and create three mini zones:
- zone 1: a bookshelf zone to hide those unsightly cables and internet boxes (and also a DIY upcycle project)
- zone 2: a cosy armchair nook for filming and flexible work
- zone 3: a structured desk area anchored by large-scale artwork.
Breaking the room into zones instantly made it feel purposeful rather than awkward. This is one of my top small home office ideas if you’re working with a tricky floorplan.
Zone 1: The DIY bookshelf feature
One of my favourite parts of this room is the bookshelf. Mostly because it cost me almost nothing!
It’s also the first thing you see in the space and offers me the chance to effortlessly switch up the decor and display elements. I love any excuse to do some bookshelf styling!
I salvaged an old IKEA bookshelf that someone had left on the side of the road (proof that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!). Then, I gave it new life using Dulux chalk paint in the shade Battle Dress. This colour is a beautiful grounding green that adds depth without overwhelming the room.
To elevate it further, I lined the back with green corduroy fabric from Spotlight. The texture adds warmth and a subtle pattern, making it feel bespoke and layered.
This bookshelf is not only stylish but it’s also super functional. The pop of colour anchors the entire room while hiding all those unsightly cables and my internet box. Plus it’s a space for me to display my books, trinkets and decor.
If you’re looking for renter-friendly home office ideas, painting secondhand furniture is such an effective way to create personality without touching the walls.
Zone 2: A cosy armchair nook for flexible work
Not every task needs a desk. I created a relaxed corner with the beautiful Lorraine armchair from Lifely. This chair is a real sculptural piece that feels soft and inviting while still looking elevated.
From my cosy nook, I love to film design tips, make phone calls, do some creative thinking and work on my laptop (when I don’t need to be sitting at my desk with dual screens!).
Having a comfortable seating option is one of the most overlooked home office inspiration ideas. It makes your office feel like a space you want to spend time in. Not just somewhere that you have to work.
The side table is another curb side find that I spray painted in Dulux Vintage Beige in their chalk spray paint range.
Zone 3: The desk setup
For the main desk zone (aka the work part), I chose the Hudson home office desk from Lifely. It’s clean-lined, timeless and doesn’t visually clutter the space — which is important in a smaller room.
I like the curved edges. They really help with flow in a small office space. Curves add softness to all the angular lines in my space, and I don’t have to worry about hitting myself on a hard corner desk.
My office chair (the Tim office chair) blends beautifully without feeling bulky, keeping the overall look refined rather than corporate. I’m having a bit of a love affair with brown at the moment and love how it picks up the brown of the artwork behind.
Speaking of artwork, behind the desk, I hung the stunning ‘Two of a Kind’ artwork from Gioia Wall Art. Using large-scale artworks is one of my go-to home office ideas because it instantly elevates the room while adding a splash of fun and personality. It creates a fabulous, professional backdrop for video calls and meetings, and gives the desk an anchored feel.
Removable velcro strips are a fab way to hang artwork if you don’t want to add in a hook. Don’t think that just because you’re renting, you can’t display art.
Not forgetting the all important floor, I layered the Agnes 2457 beige modern patterned rug from Rugs of Beauty. A rug softens the room acoustically, adds warmth and helps visually define the desk zone.
If you’re renting, rugs are one of the best ways to transform a space without making permanent changes.
My DIY oversized pinboard
I’m an incredibly visual person, so I knew my oversized pinboard needed to be front and centre in my home office space. I actually made it myself, using leftover cardboard packaging! It’s holding up incredibly well and adds texture and visual interest while being super practical.
I love using it to showcase samples, fabric swatches, inspirational pieces and project notes. This is one of my favourite budget home office ideas because it proves you don’t need expensive joinery to create a functional design feature.
If you’d like to make your own, I’ve shared the full step-by-step designer DIY here.
Home office ideas for renters
Just because you’re renting doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful, functional and aesthetic space. It’s important to remember you don’t need built-ins or structural changes to create a stylish home office. You just need thoughtful styling and a clear vision.
Focus on furniture over fixtures
When updating a home office, it’s easy to assume structural changes or new fixtures are the answer. In reality, furniture has far greater impact, and much more flexibility.
Use rugs and artwork to create impact instead of painting walls
A full repaint isn’t always practical, especially in rentals, shared spaces or homes where the office may evolve over time. Instead, use rugs and artwork to inject personality and create visual impact.
My pinboard is a real statement piece. It’s something I just lean against the wall as this ensures no damage to the wall. I’ve seen some people design full wall leaning bookshelves, so if you’re handy, you could do something even bigger and more impactful.
If I was staying here longer, I would consider a DIY like this. Maybe in my next home… you never know!
Refresh secondhand pieces with paint or fabric
Secondhand furniture often has better bones than many new pieces… it just needs updating. A simple coat of paint can transform a tired desk or set of drawers into something that feels current and cohesive with the rest of the room.
Even just swapping out handles for something more your style can completely change the feel of cabinetry.
I love to add colour and invest in pieces you can take with you. Upcycling furniture is a cheap and low-risk way to add splashes of colour. If it doesn’t work, no stress because it was going to landfill anyway.
In my space, I love how both upcycled pieces turned out and they allowed me to splurge on other items.
Create defined zones within one room
In many homes, the office shares space with a bedroom, living area or open-plan zone. Creating subtle boundaries helps the workspace feel purposeful rather than temporary.
Clear zones support better focus during the day and make it easier to mentally step away from work after hours.
Add texture to make the space feel custom
Texture is often what separates a functional office from a beautifully layered one. Incorporating fabric-backed shelving, upholstered pinboards, woven baskets, textured cushions or layered curtains adds warmth and softness to a space that can otherwise feel hard and cold.
I replaced my curtains with sheer curtains from The Hues. When I leave, I can take these curtains with me but swapping them from the heavy, aged blockout curtains lets in so much light and makes the space feel way more luxe.
It’s the considered details that ultimately give a home office its personality. And I’m so happy with how my space tuned out. What do you think?!
Shop my home office
- Hudson home office desk — Lifely
- Lorraine armchair — Lifely
- ‘Two of a Kind’ artwork — Gioia
- Agnes 2457 Beige Rug — Rugs of Beauty
- Sheer curtains — The Hues
- IKEA bookshelf — upcycled with Dulux Battle Dress chalk paint and corduroy fabric from Spotlight.
I hope my home office makeover has inspired you to create a dedicated workspace or refresh yours if it’s feeling flat. Whether you’re starting with a blank canvas, or working with a tricky rental space, a few thoughtful updates and styling tricks can transform even the smallest corner into a productive space.
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