Making a home office space work in the bedroom can be a challenging task. Maintaining a good work-life balance is trickier when the only place you have to work is your bedroom office.

Fortunately, it’s easy to transform this room into a dedicated workspace without sacrificing the comforts of your bedroom. Check out these most inspiring bedroom office ideas that will provide you with the ultimate combination of comfort, style, and functionality.

A Room Divider Creates a Sense of Separation

Adding a simple room divider helps you differentiate between your sleeping area and dedicated workspace. The slats on this divider create a sense of airiness and openness, offering visual separation without making the double-duty bedroom feel dark or cluttered.

The open slats also allow for plenty of natural light to filter in from the bedroom window and to the desk area. This gives the bedroom a light, bright look and feel while also providing light while you work to avoid eye strain.

Note that the divider in the photo is attached to a low-profile structural wall. You can easily purchase a standalone room divider to save money and space. This also provides you with more flexibility if you want to change the layout or plans for the room in the future.

via Entrance Makleri

Choose a Cozy Corner for Your Desk and Office Supplies

If you have a small space, choose one wall or corner of the bedroom and use it for your bedroom office. A slim, standing desk gives you plenty of room to work without being too bulky, and you won’t need a separate office chair. This option is ideal for people who only work from home part-time or just a few hours a day.Look for an area of the bedroom near the window for maximum light. If you have any extra wall space, consider installing some wall shelves or a large wall cabinet to utilize additional vertical space for storage. Choose your office furniture carefully and look for a small, slim desk that won’t take up too much space in the bedroom.

via Alvhem

Use a Guest Bedroom as an Office Area

When it comes to smart bedroom office ideas, a guest room makes a wonderful home office space. This room can perform double duty, serving as a comfortable guest bedroom when you have overnight visitors, and your dedicated work space the rest of the time.

Utilizing a spare bedroom is a smart way to maximize the available space you have. Not only does it help you save space in the rest of your home, but it also gives you a sense of separation between work and home life.

Look for an office desk that’s easy to move or push against the wall. That way, you can free up floor space and provide plenty of room to stretch out when you do have guests stay over. Choose lightweight, durable furnishings that are easy to store away when they’re not being used.

Styled by Grey Deco, photographed by Mariette Svensson for sale via Stadshem

Use Nontraditional Furniture

You don’t need a bulky desk or a massive desk chair if you’re working in the bedroom. A functional home office desk simply needs a work surface where you can place your computer or do some writing. This rectangular farmhouse-style table is attractive and functional without taking up the entire room.

A small chair with a back provides you with ample support while you work, but it’s not as bulky as a more traditional desk chair with arms and a large footprint. Think outside the box and look at some nontraditional furnishings that will serve their purpose without making the room feel cluttered.

Styled by Bon Interior, and photographed by Alen Cordic for Bjurfors

Home Office Design Ideas: Use Built-Ins

Bedrooms with built-ins are extra functional without making the space feel overdone. You can also use a custom-built wardrobe with a built-in desk and storage cabinets for a highly functional workspace. This works particularly well if you have a small room, creating a dual-purpose space that’s also warm and inviting.

Multifunctional furniture gives you many more options, whether you’re planning to use your primary bedroom as an office forever or you’re going to make changes in the future. Built-ins that take up an entire wall with vertical storage give you endless possibilities for storing clothing and accessories as well as office supplies.

via Entrance Makleri

Work Near a Window

Working in an office bedroom without a view isn’t exactly appealing. If possible, set up your home office area in front of a window. Not only will you get the benefits of natural light, but you’ll also have the chance to gaze outside every once in a while.

You probably don’t utilize the area in front of your bedroom window when the space is solely being used as a bedroom. However, putting a small desk and a comfy chair directly in front of the window will boost your mood and make working from home a much more pleasant task.

If you have a large window space available, you can even make a bedroom office with a double desk for two people out of it.

Styled by Åsa Copparstad, photographed by Frederic Boucari, for Historiska Hem

Try a Wall-Mounted Desk

Whether it’s a spare room or the primary bedroom, installing a wall-mounted or floating desk is a great way to free up space. These desks attach directly to the wall, giving you more room overall. Try a floating desk that you can fold up like a Murphy bed to free up even more floor space when you’re not hard at work in your bedroom office.

If the room feels a bit bland, consider adding a fun gallery wall above the desk. This will give your workspace a pop of personality and add warmth to a small office space. The addition of artwork also helps to create a cozy, calming bedroom.

Styled by Linnéa H. Manaberi, photographed by Fredrik j LKarlsson for Alvhem

Get the Most Out of a Large Bedroom

If you happen to have lots of extra space, it’s a perfect opportunity to make the most of your bedroom office. Bedrooms with a separate sitting area are an excellent choice if you need to design a custom work area. Use this dedicated space to bring in more office storage like a filing cabinet or a printer stand.

A pair of tall cabinets on each side of the desk also gives you extra storage space while still feeling sophisticated and bedroom-like. Notice that this room has a mirror mounted to the wall above the desk. Adding a mirror makes the room feel even larger and reflects the light to make it brighter.

Styled by Mia Laaksonen, photographed by Henrik Linden for Alvhem

Create a Calming Bedroom Office with Neutral Colors

Work can be stressful, so you want to ensure that your space feels calming and serene. This also applies to a bedroom, so choose a soft, neutral color palette to evoke a relaxing aesthetic. Instead of stark white walls, try a soft terracotta, gray, or tan.

An interior designer can help you select the right color palette for your needs. You can also grab some paint samples and try a few different shades until you find the right combination. Remember, bedroom offices don’t have to be dark and depressing, so have fun looking for gorgeous colors for wall paint, bedding, artwork, and furniture.

Styled by Grey Decor, photographed by Fredrik J Karlsson for Alvhem

Keep it Classic

The bedroom is a very personal space, so don’t feel pressured to make it high-tech just because you work there. Instead, opt for vintage furniture or toned-down designs that keep your office space traditional.

Shop for vintage pieces at local antique stores or estate sales. Incorporating some classic pieces or a vintage desk helps you feel more grounded, and it gives the office a much more “homey” feel.

via Alvhem

Go Minimalist

One of the best bedroom office ideas is to keep things as sleek and simple as possible. Choose a simple desk without a lot of bells and whistles or bulk.The more minimal your work area is, the easier it will be to create a sense of separation between your workday and your bedroom. If you have a smaller bedroom, opting for a simple setup is ideal. A minimalist work area also helps you to stay focused.

via Alicia Edelman

Add Natural Elements

Traditional offices have lots of plants, so why not bring some into your bedroom home office? Incorporating natural elements gives this space a cheerful yet calming effect.

Look for plants that are easy to care for and that thrive in low light. A tree placed in the corner or a potted plant placed on top of your desk will help to brighten your day and your bedroom, too.

Styled by Emma Fisher and Annica Clarmell, photographed by Maria Sahlander for Bjurfors

Add a desk into a window sill

If you are working with a small space in your bedroom, you can make use of the window sill to integrate your desk space. This way, you can create extra room for your laptop and office supplies.

This will allow your bedroom office to look out onto the garden or street and you will get the prime spot in terms of daylight.

via Alvhem

Keep it small and minimal

A small vintage desk can do wonders for creating an impromptu bedroom office space. While it might be a bit too small for working from home full-time, it’s great for those sporadic video meetings or e-mail sessions.

Pair a vintage desk with a vintage bedside table to complement the look.

Styled by Grey Deco, photographed by Fredrik J Karlsson, sold via Alvhem

Be Smart with your storage space

It’s tough to design a functional work area if you have a small bedroom. Look for ways to maximize as much space as possible, like converting a walk-in closet into a built-in desk.

Even if you have a tiny space, you can find ways to make it functional. Choose a narrow desk or use a smaller chair, and try built-in shelving to make sure you have enough space for supplies and paperwork.

Styled by @vasakvadrat, sold via Sjöman Frisk

Be Bold with Your Design

While neutral colors are great if you want to design a calming bedroom office, you can also do the opposite and go bold. Paint the walls a deep, rich color to give the area a pop of drama and personality.

If you don’t have a dedicated room for an office, this is your opportunity to let your design style shine. Install a funky overhead light fixture or look for some neon abstract artwork that will make this part of your home stand out from the rest.

via Sjöman Frisk

Use Only What You Need

No matter what size your bedroom is, it’s best to keep things as simple as possible when it comes to your bedroom office. If you don’t need a massive filing cabinet, don’t buy one. If a laptop is sufficient, stick to that instead of buying a bulky computer tower.

Don’t add a table lamp to your desk if the bedroom has plenty of windows or bright overhead lighting. Make a list of the items you need, and eliminate the ones you don’t so you’re getting the absolute most functionality from the space you have available to you.

via Alvhem