This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.
Do you know what happens when you combine working from home with kids out of school for the summer?
You get joyful, sometimes stressful chaos. With our girls home until August, I needed to reorganize our home office so I could work efficiently and have more quality time with them — and keep my sanity.
I found myself avoiding the office and retreating to the living room couch, so I set out to change the layout and refresh the space.
I tested a few layout options and swapped in some furnishings from The Home Depot to find the best arrangement. With furniture on sale, it was a great time to try something new. Below are three practical home office layouts plus decorating tips to boost productivity and comfort.
1. Work Table for Two Office Layout
An unfinished dining table we stained years ago has double-duty as a two-person work table. This setup gives both people ample room to spread out projects and collaborate.
If your household is mostly paperless and you don’t need a lot of storage, a large table and two comfortable chairs can be a simple, functional solution for shared remote work.
2. Sofa and Desk for Solo Work
If you’re the primary person working from home and you like to lounge while you work, combine a comfy sofa with a dedicated desk for focused tasks. I moved a green velvet sofa into our office so I could stretch out when needed and still maintain a proper workstation.
Adding small details—like a fringe trim or a textured throw—makes the sofa feel intentional in the office and gives the room a cozy, lived-in look. A solid wood desk positioned in front of a window creates a dedicated work spot that benefits from natural light and a view.
This layout also leaves an extra couch for guests, making the room multi-functional without sacrificing productivity.
3. Sofa and Desk for Client Work
If clients or visitors come to your home office, place a sofa or a pair of armchairs along one wall and position your desk facing the center of the room. This layout separates your work area from the seating zone, creating a welcoming spot for guests while keeping the desk private and professional.
Choose a desk with a finished back so it looks intentional when facing into the room. Keep in mind that placing a desk directly in front of a bright window can cause glare on screens, so plan accordingly.
Tip: A desk with a solid back and minimal visible cords feels tidy and purposeful for client-facing work.
Office Decorating Tips to Improve Productivity
You don’t need a complete furniture overhaul to make your home office more productive. Small, thoughtful decorating tweaks can dramatically improve how the room feels and how you work in it. These are the changes I use when I need to ramp up focus and finish big projects.
Benefits of Facing a Desk to a Window
Placing a desk in front of a window can improve mood, reduce stress, ease eye strain, increase productivity, and stimulate creative thinking by offering a view of nature. North- or south-facing windows typically provide consistent, softer light. East- and west-facing windows can produce strong glare at certain times of day, so consider window treatments or an alternate desk placement if glare is an issue.
Use Natural Light and Lamps
Avoid harsh fluorescent lighting where possible. Open curtains and shades to bring in natural light and layer ambient lighting with table lamps and sconces to create a warm, productive atmosphere. I prefer a large table lamp for soft, indirect light rather than a harsh desk lamp.
Swapping an oversized pendant for a flush-mount bubble light helped balance illumination in our office. I use 3000K LED bulbs for a comfortable blend of alertness and warmth.
Light a Candle
Scent affects mood and mental well-being. A candle or essential oil diffuser can make your workspace feel calmer and more pleasant. I like to keep a small tray and a decorative bowl of matches nearby — simple touches that elevate the room’s ritual and atmosphere.
Utilize Flowers or Plants
Fresh flowers or houseplants bring a touch of nature indoors and help create a restorative environment. If live plants aren’t feasible, realistic faux plants or flowers still add visual calm and the suggestion of green space, which supports focus and well-being.
Play Instrumental Music
Music preference is personal, but instrumental or classical music can support concentration and reduce stress while working. I often stream string quartets or gentle instrumental playlists when I need deep focus.
Home Office Sources
Below are the furniture and lighting items we used to create these layouts. These source names can help you recreate a similar home office setup or find comparable pieces at your local retailer.
- Green velvet sofa
- Wood five-drawer writing desk
- Round wood pedestal coffee table
- Linen armchair on casters (similar)
- Unfinished pine dining table
- Bubble flush-mount light fixture
- White ceramic table lamp
- Olive/charcoal area rug
- Oval brass tray
- White stoneware hands bowl
- Salt mist scented candle
What productivity tips would you add? With kids home for the summer, all of us working-from-home parents can use every helpful trick we can find.
More Home Office Decorating Ideas
8 Home Office Lounge Ideas for a Multi-Functional Space
Cozy Conference Room Design Ideas & Office Makeover
Modern Coastal Living Room / Office Hybrid Room Makeover
