6 Desk Layout Ideas for the Perfect Home Office Setup

If you are feeling uninspired in your space, it may be time for a home office makeover. There are several desk layout ideas you can incorporate into your home office design that can elevate your mood, help you be more organized and encourage productivity.

Whether your home office is an entire room or just a chair and a desk, it is important to have a designated work area that allows you to tackle your to-dos without distraction. Explore our guide to create the perfect work-from-home desk setup that will re-energize and inspire you.

Types of Office Desks

Depending on how much space you are working with, you have many different options for how you can go about setting up your desk. Before you begin, think about how much you are willing to spend on new furniture — if you do not already have everything you need — and how much space your usual tasks require.

Once you have a good idea of how much available space you will have, start thinking about what type of home office desk setup will work best for your needs. Here are some popular layouts to help you get started:

Traditional Single Desk

If your job does not require a lot of extra equipment, and/or if you are on a tight budget, a traditional desk may be the perfect fit. While a table can be used in place of a desk, many traditional desks come with small drawers or compartments for easy storage, so you will not have to worry about buying extra bins, filing cabinets or trays.

Additionally, you can opt for a desk that also comes with shelves or hutch space in addition to spacious drawers. If you want the benefit of extra storage with more design flexibility, consider purchasing a mini bookshelf or hanging shelves to place on the wall above or beside your desk.

L-Shaped Desk

If you need space to keep supplies or simply spread out, an L-shaped desk might be the right choice for you. These desks can fit easily in the corner of any room, so they take up less space. You may also choose to place it towards the center of the room with one edge against the wall, or even get creative and arrange it in a V-shape. In most cases, an L-shaped desk should allow plenty of space to fit two monitors and still comfortably store plenty of office supplies.

U-Shaped Desk

This type of desk allows you to establish a full command center in your office. A U-shaped desk essentially offers three separate work areas, meaning you will have plenty of room to comfortably fit multiple monitors in addition to bulkier supplies, such as a printer, fax machine or storage bins. This is an especially worthwhile investment if you run a business out of your home office. A U-shaped desk leaves an entire edge for your clients to come in and sit comfortably for a meeting.

T-Shaped Desk

This is an ideal choice if you share an office space with a roommate, partner or family member. T-shaped desks take up much more space than the traditional office desk, as they are essentially the size of two L-shaped desks placed together. You can easily hang shelves above the length of the desk for optimal storage. These desks are best suited in homes with an entire room designated as the office since they do not always allow as much space for other furniture or activities.

Standing Desks

Sitting for hours on end can cause a lot of discomfort after a while. These days, many people are opting for standing desks that allow them to alternate between sitting and standing while working at their computer. Research suggests utilizing standing desks (in addition to sitting) can reduce back pain, improve energy levels and overall mood, boost productivity and burn a few calories. If you are not working on a tall desk, you can purchase an adjustable desk-top stand.

Galley Design

This design simply consists of two desks placed parallel to each other, with a chair in-between. This gives you the ability to easily swivel between two work stations – designers or artists, for example, can keep their computer equipment on one desk and a free drawing space on the other. You do not necessarily need to buy two desks to get this layout – you can use a desk along with a regular table

Things to Consider in Your Home Office Design

Once you have decided on a desk layout, you have the freedom to play around with different accessories and decorations to give your office space the ambiance you need to do your best work. The sky is the limit when it comes to designing your ideal office space, but here are some other things to consider:

Lighting

Natural sunlight is conducive to more productivity, more energy and a more positive mood. If possible, place your workspace in a well-lit room and arrange your desk setup near or next to a window. If natural sunlight is not available (i.e., if your office space is set up in a basement), be sure to find a high-quality desk and floor lamps to keep your workspace well-lit and keep your mood elevated.

Decorations

When it comes to decorating your work-from-home station (or room), you have plenty of options. Depending on your unique style and taste, there is no limit to how much or how little you spruce up your space. Here are some ideas for common office decorations you can incorporate into your home office:

• Plants and flowers (real or fake).
• Posters and photos to hang over your desk.
• Framed photos for your desk.
• Colorful office supplies, such as staplers, sticky notes, pens, notepads and clips.
• Candles with energizing scents, such as cinnamon, peppermint, orange and rosemary.
• Mini keepsakes from family and friends.

However you decide to organize your office space and work-from-home desk setup, make sure it creates a positive, productive and professional atmosphere for you to accomplish your best work.

Now has never been a better time to re-think your workspace. There are several desk layout ideas that can help re-energize and inspire you. Are you looking for the perfect living space to incorporate a home office? Explore Perry Homes’ gallery of stunning, modern designs to start planning your ideal workspace.