If you’re one of the many people working from home, creating a space where you can focus and get your best work done is key. You don’t have to settle for a boring cubicle when you’re working remotely, but can instead design a custom space to suit your needs and style.

Even if you aren’t working with a big budget and a big room, designing a stylish home office is still possible and oh so much fun. Get creative with your lighting to create zones and ambiance. Think about both form and function when picking pieces that will work for you. Finally, incorporate decor to express your own style and interests. 

Upgrade Your Lighting

Create areas for specific tasks as well as overall ambiance lighting to help inspire you.

1. Consider your work - If you are working with fine details, such as artwork or meticulous design, you’ll need much different lighting than someone who reads and prepares reports at their desk. Add a couple of talk lights targeting your most commonly used workspaces like the Gold Industrial Table Lamp. These can be desktop lamps or overhead lamps, but the important thing is that they give off enough light for you to see well. If you move around your office a lot as you work, consider looking for an adjustable or swivel light. This allows you to direct the beam right where you need it.‍
2. Add multiple light sources - If you have more than one aspect to your job, or just want to section off different parts of your office for different tasks, use lighting to create zones. This is a budget-friendly way to make your room feel much larger as well. Try to go with a combination of floor lamps, desktop lamps, and overhead lighting to give yourself options. The Dimunt LED floor lamp has remote and touch control, so you don’t have to leave your desk in the middle of important work. It also has stepless dimming meaning you are not limited to a few settings. It is durable, made out of white high impact styrene while shade and base material are metal. LED technology ensures long lifespan and low power consumption.
3. ‍Change out your bulbs - For a small, economical upgrade with a huge payoff, switch out the bulbs in the lighting that you have for something softer. In most cases, unless you are doing very fine detail work, you don’t need harsh overhead lights in your home office. Change out bright white with a soft white bulb for a gentler glow. DEGNJU LED light bulb is designed  from durable materials for long-lasting use, with a design optimized for efficient heat distribution. Not only will it make the rest of your decor look more appealing, it can also ease the strain on your eyes.

Look for Functional Pieces

You don’t have to choose between great design and function to get a fantastic home office.

1. Invest in a desk - For most people working from home, the majority of their work is done at a desk or table. Because this is one of the most used spaces in your office, find one that has all of the features that you need. Functional touches that can make work go smoother include a raised display for your computer monitor, built-in filing cabinets or storage, and a keyboard tray that can be rolled away when not needed. Furologee computer desk has built-in power outlets and USB ports, making it convenient to charge devices directly from the desk. Material is waterproof, easy to clean and is anti-scratch in case your cat loves to keep you company while working.It has ample storage space for your documents and side hooks for headphones or something else. Take stock of what would make your work life easier and look for those features in a new desk. ‍
2. Look at secondhand stores - You don’t need to spend a ton of money on a new home office setup. There are plenty of great quality items that you can find secondhand. Thrift stores, garage sales, and resale stores are just the beginning. Also look at businesses that are remodeling for larger desk setups. If you want to keep everything free, shop around your own for tables and other items that you can repurpose in your home office.‍
3. Add storage - One of the fastest ways that your home office can start getting overwhelmed and cluttered is if you don’t have a spot to keep everything that you need. This can be as simple as a labeled cardboard filing box or as elaborate as a secure system with locks and keys. Bankers Box storage box is quick and easy to assemble, with a double-end, single-side, double-bottom construction for strength and durability. It is suitable for archiving files  such as employee records, financial documents, contracts, project files, or meeting notes. It is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 1180 reviews on Amazon.
   Styling your home office is also a good time to weed through old papers and toss or recycle what you don’t need. You can also set up an electronic organization system and scan important documents and records. This keeps everything accessible without building up a lot of clutter.

Add Personal Touches

Don’t forget to have a little bit of fun with your decor with special details that mean a lot to you.

1. Tie in your hobbies - Do you love to travel? Add a few mementos from special trips to your home office. Are you an avid home cook? Display a copy of your prized recipe on the wall in a frame. Your home office can be a place to express yourself and showcase what is important to you, even if it isn’t directly tied to work. This will make the space feel special and unique to you. Putting up personal photos and touches from around your house is also a good way to keep costs down.‍
2. Display awards and accolades - If you have special awards to display, your home office is just the spot. If you frequently have to hop on video calls, you can create a wall of professional awards and recognition to use as your background. You can also display some special memories and milestones of your professional life, including framed diplomas, photos, and participation in events and organizations. All of this tells the story of who you are as a professional.‍
3. Create a vision board - Incorporate some forward-looking decor in your home office to help you stay motivated. A vision board is a great way to get clear on your personal and professional goals. You can go big with a wall display or keep it confined to a few pages in a journal. With plenty of apps, you can also use a digital space to craft a vision board. Mindmellow vision board kit can save you some  time as it already contains pre-designed materials such as motivational stickers, inspiring quotes, and vision board essentials.It is rated 4.5 based on 122  ratings on Amazon, and one of the customers state: ‘This kit is awesome and has made it easy and beautiful. The daily prompts and activities are meaningful and well organized’.

Give your home office a stylish new upgrade without breaking the bank. Incorporate strategic lighting, combine form and function, and display your own personal touches to design a home office that expresses your style and gets the job done.