This gorgeous studio apartment for sale in Sweden (Styled by Linnéa H. Manaberi, photographed by Peter Pousard, via Alvhem) makes efficient use of the high ceilings, by integrating a loft bed inside the space that can be accessed through the custom staircase in the sofa area.
The loft bed sits on top of a home office space and the module separates the open floor plan into five main areas: a sofa section, dining area, kitchen corner, home office, and sleeping area. The visual distinction between the different areas is clear, optimizing the layout of this studio flat.
The black-and-white color palette in the apartment is enriched with brown and beige tones for a bright aesthetic that makes the apartment look more spacious.
A loft bed and a sofa area in front of the window
The section in front of the window is slightly elevated, lifting the sofa and dining area, and separating it from the kitchen. A loft bed is constructed around the home office, accessible through the staircase in the sofa area.
The staircase going up to the loft bed is hollow, allowing extra space for storage and for adding decor items on display. The wall next to the staircase is used for hanging a TV, perfectly opposite the sofa.
The color palette of the living area is very neutral, with a white couch and white area rug setting the stage. The gallery wall adds a unique look to this setting and the black accents in the accessories add a lovely contrast to the interior.
A loft bed underneath the ceiling
The loft bed is decorated in a neutral color palette, just like the downstairs area. The brown tones in the textiles on the bed are paired with beiges and a grey carpet finishes the flooring underneath the bed.
From the loft bed, you can look down on the cozy sofa area below.
Large plants and greenery finish the neutral color palette in the space and add a fresh touch.
A small dining area next to the kitchen
Next to the sofa and kitchen, you can find a small bar table attached to the wall, with two classic bentwood bar stools. The black table and chairs add to the contrast in the interior.
A corner kitchen to optimize the studio layout
A corner layout kitchen is installed to use the available space as efficiently as possible. By pushing the kitchen into the corner, the space looks open and spacious.
Underneath the loft bed, you can find a closed room for a home office. The wall next to the doorway is used for a sideboard with a large round mirror, which reflects the space and makes it look bigger.
The home office space is decorated in a natural color palette as well. The large standing mirror reflects some daylight into the space that doesn’t get any direct daylight.
A small hallway next to the main studio space offers a space for adding a large wardrobe and storage for jackets and shoes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Adding wallpaper to any room will add style and personality, yet a home office can especially benefit from a beautiful focal point to boost your creativity. Wallpaper can be a great way to add a personal touch to your office, something you can only take advantage of when working from home.
The inspiring home office wallpaper ideas in this list vary in style, pattern, and color and you can use them to get inspired to transform your own desk space. Work with an accent wall for a subtle touch or cover the entire room with wallpaper patterns to achieve an overall look.
Wallpaper can be a great option to add color and texture to your space and you can go bold or subtle in the pattern design so it can fit perfectly to the space. Wallpapers can also be used to visually separate your home office area from the rest of the room if you don’t have a dedicated room to work from.
A subtle office wallpaper paired with a vintage desk
When you prefer calm and tranquil energy in a room to focus and get some work done, you might want to select a subtle and subdued pattern for your room or feature wall. This gorgeous home office space with a vintage desk is finished off with a subtle green-grey wallpaper that matches perfectly with the paint color on the historic door right next to it.
The darker tones in the vintage desk and art prints stand out against the subtle pattern and the natural light coming into this space adds a subtle glow to this work area.
A cozy office space corner that stands out against the wallpaper design
The mixture of the rattan desk chair, sheepskin, and the beautiful selection of accessories on and around this home office desk create a cozy, welcoming, and overall good working environment. The natural textures in the materials are enhanced by a beautiful green office wallpaper design that is applied to the whole room.
An entire room with a bold wallpaper design featuring a small home office spot
The bold pattern wallpaper is applied to the whole room of this turn-of-the-century home, making the white historic doors stand out in a powerful way against the dark color of the wallpaper design. The classic decor paired with the antique desk is an excellent choice for this setting and the old typewriter is the perfect decor addition while the desk is not in use.
A blue home office wallpaper paired with a black desk
The intricate bird pattern on this beautiful office wallpaper instantly puts you in a creative mood. Big pattern wallpaper designs are often used for feature walls or bigger spaces, while smaller patterns tend to do well in smaller rooms.
The calm and natural sage green wallpaper design used on these home office walls really makes the white desk and natural oak desk chair pop out from its backdrop. Rather than using green paint, the home office wallpaper adds a bit more texture, which eliminates the need for additional decor pieces to decorate the office space.
A modest wallpaper allows you to focus on a difficult task
When you find it hard to focus in a bold space, pick out a wallpaper that is subtle in both the design and color palette, like the one used in this soft and delicate home office. The brown shades in the wood and leather warm the look up and turn this corner into a cozy spot to get some work done.
An accent wall covered in wallpaper is great when you want to include your home office inside of the living room, bedroom, or kitchen space. Not only will the wallpaper add character and style to the setting, but it can also serve to separate the functional areas visually from each other.
A delicate floral pattern on the wall of a small hobby area
When you use your home office for creative hobbies as well, you might want to focus on achieving a creative atmosphere when selecting the perfect wallpaper for your office walls. I love the way this floral design pairs with the old photographs on the wall and with the old desk and chair.
A wallpaper with a marble pattern in a bedroom home office corner
This must be one of the most impressive home office wallpaper ideas on the list, as the entire bedroom height is covered with an impressive wallpaper in a brown tone that is complemented by a full-length mustard curtain.
Even though there is a wide selection of wallpapers available that look like natural stone, this brown-tone marble design has an amazing effect in this home office, combined bedroom.
A professional home office with a subtle grey wallpaper
When you are lucky enough to have an entire room available to call your home office, it makes sense to cover all the walls with wallpaper to achieve a cohesive effect throughout the space. When you face the wall with your back, the wallpaper will provide a great background on video calls with clients or colleagues as well – added bonus.
A subtle wallpaper background in a kitchen home office section
The countertop on the kitchen cabinets in this space is continued over into a work table, which is a great solution for adding a home office to your house when you don’t have a dedicated room. The greige kitchen cabinets with the wood countertops are paired with a classic and delicate wallpaper that adds an elegant backdrop to the mix of vintage pieces.
We’ve seen this home office spot on this list with another wallpaper design, yet with this dark and bold pattern, it easily becomes one of the most characterful home office wallpaper ideas on this list. I love the way the white table lamp jumps out of this setting and the way the blue swatch on the wall complements the wallpaper color so perfectly.
A small home office setting with a large and contrasting wallpaper design
The big leaf patterns on this beautiful green and blue wallpaper transform this home office and add a bold pop of color and pattern to the otherwise very neutral color palette and energy in the furniture and accessories.
A dark and classic design is the perfect option for a bedroom home office corner
The classic style of this combined vanity and work spot is brought to life by the elegant wallpaper in a deep color, that softens out the daylight coming in through those historic windows. The brown and pink tones in the desk, chair, and curtain contrast beautifully with the cool undertones on the wall.
A retro design adds structure to this home office space
This is one of the most retro home office wallpaper ideas on the list, which provides the space with clean lines on the wall. The clean lines of the wallpaper and desk are contrasted by the curves on the Wishbone chair, in the arm of the lamp, and in the art print on the wall.
Imagine this office without the wallpaper and it would not look that interesting, wouldn’t it? I think the balance between creating a good working environment that is both inspiring and calming is achieved perfectly in this space by using a subtle pattern in a beautiful, calm sage green tone.
A blue floral wallpaper around a desk integrated into an old doorway
The beautiful custom structure created by the white desk that fits inside of what used to be a doorway is accentuated by the use of a blue floral wallpaper, which makes both the white desk and the doorframe stand out in a gorgeous way.
The blue tones are paired with black accents and natural tones in the cardboard storage boxes and the cork pinboard on the wall.
We’ve seen many home office wallpaper ideas for working from home, yet kids’ rooms are ideal candidates for wallpapers as well. While home offices need to be professional, a wallpaper design in a kid’s room can be all about inspiration and creativity.
To find the best wallpaper for your kid’s homework table, apply the same rules as for adults, yet add a bit more fun and whimsy.
The botanical wallpaper with green and red tones used in the room below is paired up with green and pink tones in the furniture and accessories as well, for a fun yet stylish theme that is characterized by the little flags hanging from the ceiling.
Even though the green wallpaper in this kid’s room can be used in adult home offices as well, it’s paired with such fun and elegant accessories so clearly belonging to a child that the overall look gets a playful appearance.
A dark green floating desk combined with wall shelving in the same color is applied to a wall that is treated with floral wallpaper in brown tones for a moody effect that complements the color of the door to the children’s room.
The cute pastel pink desk in this kid’s room is complemented by a mixture of grey and pink tones in the wallpaper, creating a whimsical office spot for doing homework.
While some of us have the luxury of having a room dedicated to a home office, in most of our homes, a desk is added to a living room, bedroom, or other available space. When combining room functionalities together, especially when working with a smaller floor plan, it’s crucial to select a desk that is compact and includes storage.
This post is all about the combination of computer desk functionality with a bookshelf to provide extra storage for the paperwork you want to keep within reach or accessories you want to have on display in your interior.
Some of the solutions below are products from brands you can shop as readily available items, others are more general concepts that can be made out of shelving systems. They all have one thing in common though: they will allow you to create a nice home office spot on any free wall in your home while blending in with your interior style.
A black bookshelf with a desk against a greige wall for a dramatic effect
This black wall bracket system spreads over an entire wall painted in a beautiful greige paint color. The desk surface is big enough so it can be used as a computer desk and the other shelves are great for a mixture of storage and display of accessories.
When working with a customizable shelf system, make sure to leave enough space between the desk shelf and the shelves on top so you can place a lamp or display in your home office.
A white wall-mounted bookshelf with a desk on a small surface
Similar to the first example, this bracket system provides the space with a home office spot on a relatively small surface right next to the sofa in this living room. The white shelves and brackets blend in with the white wall and make the bookshelf desk even more subtle.
The black desk chair and accessories stand out against the white backdrop and the desk light is a clasp lamp that is attached to one of the shelves so it doesn’t take up any space on the desk itself.
The classic DK3 Royal System was designed by Poul Cadovius in 1948 and has a very classic look. The system consists of wall-mounted wooden rails, shelves with hangers in brass or stainless steel, and various cabinets that can be customized to your needs, including a desk to turn your shelving system into a little home office.
I love the combination of the dark green walls with the walnut wood and the brass brackets, which must make this the most elegant and classy solution on the list.
A wall-mounted bookshelf desk with a drawer
This beautiful wall shelving system made out of wood stands out against the modern white walls. The black brackets and the black desk chair add contrast to the setting, which is a color combination that comes back in the adjacent hallway.
The drawer underneath the desk provides extra storage for small office supplies and the assymetric placement of the shelves makes the setting a little bit playful.
A custom corner shelving solution with a desk in black against pink walls
A small niche corner in this hallway with pink walls has been transformed into a corner bookshelf desk with black walls and black shelving. In order for this corner bookshelf to work as a desk as well, the shelves have been cut at an angle, to allow enough space for the home office section.
The combination of the pink hallway walls with the black color palette in the home office section is very powerful and matches the color of the doors and window frames in the space. The grey carpet adds a soft touch and comes back in the seat cover on the desk stool.
A freestanding white bookshelf solution with closed storage and a computer desk
For my studio home, I selected the Moebe bookshelf system, which is a freestanding modular solution that includes both a computer desk and a storage cabinet module with doors. While this bookshelf desk is available in a wood or black version as well, I picked out a white setting that would blend in with the white flooring and white walls in this place.
The desk is the perfect home office when I’m in Belgium and I love working from my laptop next to this window looking over the fields.
A large wall-to-wall shelf that includes an office spot
When you have a larger wall available, like in this beautiful living room with grey walls, you can spread your shelving solution over the entire wall for a more impressive effect. The computer desk on the right side is paired up with a few shelves for books and a large green plant that really stands out in this setting.
Børge Mogensen designed the BM29 bookshelf for Fredericia in 1956 and this timeless and functional piece of furniture adds beautiful Scandinavian elegance to your home office.
A bookshelf desk that continues on the other wall for a cohesive look
The white bracket shelving system used in this turn-of-the-century living room is paired up with natural wood shelving for a natural look that matches the wood color in the flooring and the other furniture pieces in the interior.
The shelving system is spread over two walls on each side of the doorway, with a home office spot with a computer desk on the left side and a bookshelf with closed storage on the other side.
A computer desk as part of a wall-attached bookshelf system
The Tônn bookshelf is a modular bookshelf system that attaches to the wall and can be customized with closed storage, shelving, and even a desk module. The off-white bookshelf desk blends into the wall with the same paint color and the closed storage right above the desk module is easy to reach while working.
A simple wall-mounted bookshelf with a desk blends into the wall
In this living room with white walls and white-soaped hardwood flooring, a white bookshelf desk system blends into the walls and takes up only a small corner next to the door. The shelves can hold folders, decor items, and paperwork, along with accessories, while the long and narrow desk makes for a spacious home office spot.
The String Furniture System bookshelf with a desk or table
String Furniture is one of the most famous brands for modular wall shelving and it’s also the solution I have had in my personal home for years. It’s easy to update and adjust to your needs and over time, I included a foldable table, which functions as a computer desk as well.
The bookshelf can also be used in the kitchen as a small table for having coffee next to your espresso machine and the foldable table can also be replaced by a smaller desk shelf if you want your home office setting to be even more compact.
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The walk-in closet office makes this spacious and light-flooded turn-of-the-century apartment (for sale via Entrance Makleri) unique, yet the other rooms’ design elements are also worth mentioning. The spacious living room with light grey walls includes an elegant TV gallery wall and a beautiful crystal chandelier that matches the ornate historic elements in the space.
The two-tone kitchen includes black cabinets on the bottom and white ones on the top for a light yet contrasting look that is matched by a kitchen island and a dining table by the window.
The darker grey bedroom has a unique walk-in closet that includes a cozy home office with yellow walls and the gorgeous hallway has a beautiful chequered floor paired up with an elegant sage green paint color on the walls.
A living room with a TV gallery wall
The light grey living room walls are decorated with an impressive gallery wall that spreads over two walls and includes the TV. The rest of the interior is kept minimal so the combination of art prints on the wall gets all the attention. The crystal chandelier stands out underneath these high ceilings and the details match the ornate crown molding.
A black and white kitchen with wood countertops
The black kitchen cabinets paired up with warm wood countertops provide the kitchen with a contrasting look that comes back in the black bentwood dining chairs as well. To keep a light layout, the upper cabinets were picked out in white to blend into the white walls.
The dining table fits perfectly in the space between the wall and the kitchen island and the kitchen floor plan feels balanced in front of the two large windows.
A spacious grey bedroom with a walk-in closet office
The bedroom has a darker grey wall color than the living room, giving it a slightly more moody look. The custom walk-in closet includes a home office space and storage space in a more narrow area. By painting this custom module in the same color as the wall, it perfectly blends in with the rest of the interior.
The ladder to reach the top of the closet and the headboard behind the bed have both been painted in the same color as the walls for a tone-on-tone look that makes the white crown molding stand out in a nice way.
A walk-in closet office with yellow walls
The home office space inside of the closet is painted yellow, for a bright and happy contrast with the grey walls of the bedroom. The desk in front of the window includes storage space and fills the entire length of the wall.
The wall shelf fits perfectly between the wall and window and provides the room with a perfect spot for decor elements.
A spacious hallway with sage green walls
The spacious hallway has an eye-catching grey and white chequered floor that is accentuated by painting the walls in a darker sage green wall color. Both of the ceiling-high storage modules in the hallway are painted in the same color as the hallway, making the heater cover and the beautiful white door stand out in a lovely way.
A bathroom with black tile floors
The combination of the black hexagon tile floor and the white tiles on the bathroom walls provides this room with an interesting contrast that is finished off with elegant brass trim on the edges of the walls and the shower niche.
When combining different functionalities in one room, a glass wall partition is a perfect way to separate the functional areas from each other, while still ensuring natural light to flow throughout the space.
While glass partition walls are often used in small studio homes to create the impression of different rooms, they can also be used to divide a room into smaller areas which each serve a different functionality, just like in this beautiful bedroom.
A contrasting black glass and metal partition wall by the bed
This beautiful bedroom has been divided into two main functional areas. The side of the bedroom by the window contains the bed and a big wardrobe, and the glass wall transforms the floor plan into a visually smaller bedroom. On the other side of the glass partition, however, you can find a home office, which is nicely separated from the rest of the room.
The light-soaped oak wood flooring combined with the sheer white curtains by the window and the white and pink bedding make for a light base palette, which has been contrasted nicely by the eye-catching black metal frame of the glass wall.
The bedroom walls have been painted in a subtle light gray color with a warm undertone, which gives the room a warm base palette that is accentuated by the peachy tones in the duvet cover and the warm area rug behind the bed.
Behind the glass: a pink home office
The other side of the glass wall partition is turned into a home office area with a spacious desk and at the same time, it functions as additional storage for the bedroom. The walls of the home office section have been painted pink, which along with the use of the glass wall, really sets this section apart and visually separates it from the other side of the room.
The bold paint color on the wall is toned down by a neutral color palette in the desk and wooden chair and the accessories and table lamp have all been picked out in a neutral color palette as well.
The mirror by the door reflects the other side of the room, yet it also reflects some of the daylight coming through the windows on the other side. Even though the glass partition ensures daylight can flow freely, this is a nice touch to make sure enough light reaches this home office spot that is placed behind the big wardrobe module.
Vintage furniture pieces can add so much to an interior as they always tend to tell a story and add character. I love them, especially when combined with modern and contemporary elements for a contrast between old and new and I think they look amazing in Scandinavian interiors.
Use a small antique desk as an impromptu home office
Antique desks tend to combine well with modern design styles or a contemporary interior just as well as in a Scandinavian interior. A small antique work desk can be the main item to create a home office corner in a dining room, living room, bedroom, or small spare room without having to dedicate a whole room to it.
Below you can see 15 beautiful home office ideas with vintage desks in bedrooms, living rooms, or hallway spaces. Each one of them is styled to perfection, sometimes painted (like in the first bold example), sometimes left in their original state, sometimes paired up with a retro desk chair, but always unique and perfectly blended into a Scandinavian interior design.
A pink-painted vintage desk combined with a petrol blue wall color
As if the bold color choice of this pink-painted desk wasn’t yet enough of a statement, the fact that it has been combined with a petrol blue wall enhances the bold effect of the vintage desk in this room. Modern interior elements like the white table lamp, the rice paper shade on the ceiling, and the white Fritz Hansen ANT chair contrast against the vintage look of the desk, and the blue hue of the wall come back in the art print above the desk.
Painting a vintage piece is an easy furniture makeover you can achieve with a piece you no longer like. You can even replace the handles if they are not to your liking or give the desk a more modern expression with a different handle. Beslag design has a really nice collection of nordic design vintage and modern handles if you are looking to give your furniture an upgrade.
I featured the full bedroom with this vintage desk in this blog post from a while back (have a look, the bedroom itself is so elegant and inviting). The small furniture piece is a vintage writing desk, which is perfect to do some small home office tasks or to reply to emails on your laptop. The sheer curtains combined with the white table lamp and the HAY About a chair in grey upholstery work perfectly together for a Scandinavian-style home office design in a modest, neutral color palette.
A vintage desk combined with a sage green gallery wall
I love the way the warm color of the wood vintage desk contrasts with the cool tint of the sage green wall color decorated with a gallery wall with minimal posters. The white Flos Gatto table lamp combined with the white metal chair balance out the warm color palette in both the wood of the vintage desk and that of the gorgeous wooden doors leading up to the bedroom. Make sure to check out the full home tour here.
Rather than combining a vintage desk with modern elements and clean lines, I like how the stylist leaned into the vintage look and combined it with an old painting to enhance the vintage look and feel even more. This desk is used for keeping perfumes and cosmetics but can be a stand-in on home office days at the same time.
Just like in the first example, the wall of this bedroom (see the full apartment tour here) has been painted in a petrol blue color, which is a perfect cool tint to add some character to your bedroom. If you are looking for some more blue bedroom wall inspiration, check out this summary I made a while back: 13 inspiring bedrooms with blue walls.
A wood vintage desk in an all-grey bedroom setting
This bedroom consists solely out of tints of grey, with the exception of the beautiful warm wood color of the vintage desk and the wooden picture frame hanging above it. The Fritz Hansen Drop chair and the subtle olive branch add the finishing touches to this cozy work-from-home spot.
Just like the first home office example, this desk has been combined with the white Fritz Hansen ANT chair (€306*– $436*), while the warm grey of the wall has been matched by the Flowerpot VP3 table lamp designed by Verner Panton for &Tradition. Rather than creating contrast in this space, more warm elements were added to the room design to enhance this warm and inviting home office setup.
A black-painted vintage desk and an iconic desk chair
This beautiful black vintage desk has been fitted with a modern desk lamp: the popular HAY Matin table lamp (€184* – $165*) with it’s delicate pleads contrast so nicely against the black of the vintage desk and mirror. To finish things off, a Fritz Hansen Series 7™ Swivel Armrest Chair in leather (€ 1.837*–$2,139) was added, which is a true classic and iconic design piece that enhances the look and takes it to another level. The terracotta jug filled with a dried branch finishes things of nicely.
I love the bright look of this home office created in front of a bedroom window. The elegant white vintage desk has been finished off with a house plant in red tones and framed by these beautiful full-length beige curtains and a vintage chair. The pink comes back in the bedding on the bed as well, for a cohesive, elegant look.
Vintage pieces and indoor plants always go so well together I think. This work space has been combined with a classic Tolomeo Tavolo Desk Lamp in black by Artemide (€ 284,75*– $362*)- and the HAY Result chair in beige and lacquered oak (€ 359*– $374*) with a design that reminds of a vintage school chair, fitting perfectly with the rest of the home office setting.
A classic vintage desk combined with blue tints as a bedroom home office spot
The vintage desk in this beautiful bedroom with blue tints has such beautiful detailing and it looks like such a treasure. The blue in the art print on the wall finishes things off nicely and the small green plant that has been added on the desk in the Dora Maar bowl designed by Jonathan Adler (€55 – $50*) is such a playful addition to the setting.
Sometimes old buildings have these weird layouts, which are often a challenge to design. A small home office spot is the perfect setup to fit in such a small niche though, as you can truely optimize the space. I love the way the String system shelving (€142 for the shelves* + €69 for the sides*// $174 for the shelves* + $116 for the sides*), provides extra open storage on both of the walls.
A black-painted vintage desk combined with white and grey
The combination of black and white in front of the subtle grey wall works very nicely in this home office setup. The brass accents of the drawer handles and the rattan of the bentwood chair add elements of interest to this otherwise modest style.
This home office fits inside of a tiny room and even though it has a very similar style to the previous example (the same stylist designed both of these Scandinavian homes), I think the modern interior design touch distinguishes them from each other. Also in this example, the white Fritz Hansen ANT chair makes an entry and contrasts wonderfully with the black vintage desk.
While I think the power lays in the combination of vintage pieces with modern elements, this beautiful and characterful home office combines a vintage desk with a vintage desk chair and a vintage desk lamp.
A white vintage painted desk combined with a blue bentwood chair
The color combination of this home office setup in a Scandinavian bedroom is so intriguing. The blue-painted bentwood chair combined with the dark grey wall color works so beautifully and I love the way the space next to the wardrobe has been used in such an optimal way to fit in a small home office.
This antique secretary is one of those perfect writing desks for a guest room, as it also provides you with lots of storage space in the drawers and cabinet on both sides.
The warm wood of the secretary contrasts nicely against the white walls and the white-soaped flooring in this beautiful turn-of-the-century space and the warm tones in the accessories and art prints complement the look nicely.
A small vintage office desk painted in the same color as the wall
Smaller antique desks are perfect to add to a bedroom as an impromptu home office spot, but can also be used as a dressing table when combined with a mirror above it just like in this beautiful bedroom. The desk has been painted in the same color as the wall for a tone-on-tone effect and the XL mirror reflects the daylight coming from the window in a perfect way.
A desk with an exposed wood top and black-painted legs
When you discover a vintage piece, it doesn’t need to be perfect. You can always give it a small DIY transformation like in this beautiful example where the top has been kept bare, but the legs have been painted in glossy black for a more dramatic effect that pairs up nicely with the light grey walls and the light oak flooring in this beautiful apartment.
An antique secretary desk against a dark grey wall
The combination of the vintage secretary with the green vintage bankers’ lamp and the modern stool against the dark grey walls works like a charm. The secretary functions as a home office spot in the bedroom, yet at the same time, it offers storage opportunities in the drawers.
A grey-painted antique desk combined with a round wall mirror
This beautiful antique desk has ornate details and has been painted in a neutral light grey paint color that complements the deep green-grey wall color of the bedroom. The combination of the desk with the rustic table lamp and the large round mirror works perfectly and the black chair finishes the look off in an elegant way.
A simple antique wood desk against historic attic walls
The natural wood desk with three antique drawers fits perfectly against the rough white plaster walls of this attic apartment with exposed wood beams. The warm wood tone of the desk complements the dark wood beams and the natural oak chair. These three wood tones make for an interesting warm color palette in the space.
I have lived in 3 different apartments here in Munich over the last 5 years and even though I hate the moving itself, it’s always a good point in time to stop and think about the furniture and accessories you owe and if you really love them enough to move them along with you. My String System is one of those pieces that has moved with me from apartment to apartment and it’s such a timeless design that I don’t see myself getting tired of it anytime soon.
When Connox asked me to team up on a home office makeover, I decided to take the chance to add a sliding door module to the String system, which I had been thinking about for a long time. Open storage is great for pretty things, but paperwork and some small items are better kept behind a door, in my opinion, to reduce clutter. Other than a wide range of over 33k designs from over 250 brands, Connox has a wide range of String furniture products, which you can compose into your own modular system for your own needs, and might I add, can grow and change with you over time.
You might know that I have this thing for blue and I love to combine blue elements with natural colors. I think this color palette is both interesting, fresh, and characterful and I don’t seem to get tired of this range of colors in either my home or my wardrobe. On my String shelf, I paired up the Setago JH27 battery lamp designed by Jaime Hayon for &Tradition with a beige desk organizer from Ferm Living and the timeless organic shape of the Henning Koppel jug from Georg Jensen (an item that has been on my wishlist for years). And since I’m such a fan of atmospheric lighting, the Torso table lamp from Menu can keep me company on darker afternoons. The lamp designed by Krøyer-Sætter-Lassen is crafted out of a combination of raw stoneware with ethereal linen and functional metal details which form the perfect combination of both hard and soft.
I’m over the moon with my new home office look and needless to say this is now my absolute favorite corner to write to-do lists, reply to emails and sketch out my plans. If you are looking to give your home office (or any area in your home for that matter) a little upgrade, you can get 12% off on the more than 250 brands in the Connox webshop until 30th of April with code 12Sarah (brands not included in the discount code: Cane-line, Fast, fatboy, Fermob, Foscarini, Gloster, Kartell, Knoll International, Muuto, USM Haller, Vitra).
AD – Thanks to Danish design studio Moebe, I finally have a spot to get some work done in our home in Belgium. I have selected one of the shelving system packages in white, which looks so lovely in combination with the white walls and ceilings and contrasts perfectly with the green door and dark color of the windows.
Their shelving system is a modular system that you can individualise according to your needs. You can built it as high or as wide as you like and you can include closed storage, a desk, or shelves to create exactly what you need. I went for a set that includes a closed cabinet and a desk which is perfect for creating a little office area and to store away my camera gear as well. If you are interested in the shelving system, Moebe has a really nice configurator where you can design and visualise your own shelf. If you need some inspiration, they have a really nice gallery as well to browse all the possibilities with this system, which can be used in the office, kitchen, hallway and living room, just to name a few.
My home office is really coming together now that the pin board is up and this area is one of the spots that stayed almost the same in comparison to the setup I had in my previous apartment (if it works, it works right?). I also introduced some brass office accessories from Fundamental Berlin, who are known for their fascination for the mathematics of nature. I love the way the subtile brass finishes stand out of all the white and natural colors here and I feel like these objects just made this space complete.
On my desk, you can spot the ‘Penrose tray’ which is etched out of Soft-brushed Brass from a hand-drawn pattern, next to the ‘Cloud desk organiser’ which you can fold yourself from a flat-packed sheet of brass to fit anything from pens to business cards. I think the combination of those two objects next to the black office lamp just works perfectly.
I’m so happy I was able to get the pinboard up in time to have a place for these cute flatmate animals, which were designed during the pandemic and made in Berlin in a social workshop for the disabled. I love these playful pieces and they make my workplace so much more fun! I’m a lover of beautiful design elements that are playful as well, so these are just the perfect addition to my pinboard.
