Create A Focused Study Space At Home

A home office can be the most versatile room in your home, from a work-from-home space to a study spot for homework and revision. We’ve got everything you need for a flexible, focus-boosting setup!

When you’re working or studying from home, using the sofa or the kitchen table might seem quicker and easier than setting up a dedicated workspace. However, spending your work or learning time in the same places where you chill out and relax can make it hard to ‘turn off’ your brain after you’re done for the day.

If you don’t already have one, then creating a home office or dedicated workspace might seem like a lot of effort. It doesn’t have to be! It can be as simple as a desk in a particular corner of a bedroom or living room, all the way up to having an entire room for your home office. It’s the way you design it, rather than the amount of space you have, that really matters for creating a productive environment!

How To Design A Focused Work Space In Your Home

Think About Location

The best place for your home office or workspace will depend on you and your household’s individual working styles. If you need absolute quiet and privacy, then a separate room or the corner of a bedroom might be the perfect choice.

However, if you work better with some interaction and background noise throughout the day, you might prefer a setup in your living room or even on the landing, if there’s space. Just make sure that, if you’re creating a workspace within another room, it’s distinct from the rest of the room. That way, you can disconnect by turning off the laptop or putting away your books and physically moving to another seat.

Use Colours Intentionally

Although calming neutrals might be your first port of call for painting your office, it’s not the only way to go. You could also try out some bold, bright colours that will put you in a good mood as soon as you see them, like yellow, blue and pink. Another option to consider is green, as its connection to nature makes it both calming and stylish.

If your study space is a dedicated corner of a room, then you could consider a visual separation by painting that section of the walls a different colour to the rest of the room. This method doesn’t give you the enclosed feeling of physical room dividers, but it will break up the aesthetic in a way that makes your study space feel more intentional.

Keep A Clear Desk

One of the biggest mistakes to make with your study space is letting your desk become cluttered and untidy. It’s not the best environment for productivity, and it’s easy to get caught in the urge to tidy up when you should be focusing on your work. 

To avoid that procrastination trap, try to clean up your desk at the end of the day so that it’s prepped for you to start work or studying again. Those few minutes can save you a lot of time in the long-run, and will make your workspace look a lot more inviting each time you come to use it!

Consider A Larger Workspace

You don’t have to limit yourself to a typical work-from-home setup if that doesn’t suit your household’s needs. A larger surface, like a dining table, can be better for spreading out everything you need for work, or if several kids need the space for their homework. 

For an even more versatile option, look for something extendable like the Buxton Dining Table, so you can choose exactly how much space you need each day.

Choose A Stylish & Practical Chair

If you’re planning to spend a lot of time at your workspace, then it’s important to get a chair that’ll support your back and feel comfortable. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t add some style to your study space with your chair as well. Go for the high-end look with a velvet swivel chair like the Byron Chair to make your space feel elegant as well as functional.

Find An Inspiring Bookcase

Bookcases aren’t just about keeping your favourite books close to hand. They’re a great background for video calls and add some style to your study space, as well as creating a productive atmosphere. Adding a bookcase to your setup can instantly transform the corner of a room into an inspiring environment and make your space feel more intentional for working or studying.

Use Storage To Prevent Clutter

While deciding to declutter your desk is a great first step, it’s important to actually have somewhere for all that clutter to go. If you’ve got a lot of notebooks, stationery and other work materials that you don’t always need to hand, it’s a good idea to invest in some storage for them. That way, you can have a clear desk but also not have to go hunting around the house when you realise you need something!

Plan Out Your Lighting

Lighting for your study space doesn’t just mean a desk lamp! You should consider the atmosphere of the whole space, including floor lamps and ceiling lights if needed. Try to position your desk near a window to soak up natural light, but also consider the view - a busy street might be a lot more distracting than a quiet back garden, for example.

Brighten Your Study Space With A Mirror

As well as lamps, you can bring some more light into your workspace with a mirror. If you have the space, a large, freestanding mirror is an incredibly stylish addition, but make sure you position it intentionally. It shouldn’t reflect your desk, as that can be distracting while you’re working. If you’ve got some houseplants or greenery, try to position your mirror to reflect them as you’ll be doubling the touch of nature in your room.

Design The Perfect Background

While a bookcase is the classic background for video calls, there are other options that can work well in your space. You could try out a display case for a more unique look and more versatility for the decor you choose to display. As well as books, you could include ornaments, framed art, and even small vases or houseplants. 

Include A Nearby Break Space

Once you’ve got the main elements of your work space down, don’t forget to include a nearby spot for relaxation. An armchair or an accent chair with a footstool is a great option for putting your feet up after a day of work or studying, and can help you transition into ‘break mode’ and keep that work-life balance.

Make It Feel Cosy

Your study space should be welcoming and comfy as well as productive. You can add some cosiness with a throw or some cushions that you only use while you’re working. That way, you can upgrade your space’s comfort levels while keeping some separation between work and relaxation.

Add Decor To Make It Yours

The most important part of designing your home office or workspace is that you make it feel like yours. It doesn’t have to be a minimalist, bare space if that’s not what suits your style and the aesthetic of the rest of your home. As well as personal additions like framed pictures, choose some decor that’ll brighten your mood whenever you sit down at your workspace, like a faux plant or colourful ornaments.

Make A Study Space That Works For You

No matter what you need it for, your study space should feel like a cohesive part of your home. Choose furniture that you’ll be comfortable using for long stretches of time, and remember to consider what works best for your own setup - that could be more seating for all the family to use or a small desk to limit clutter and distractions. 

Still looking for more tips on how to achieve the perfect home office? We’ve got a guide to finding the right rug for your workspace, as well as some tips for designing a luxurious room that you’ll love working in.