Last Updated on October 7, 2025
We’ve said it before: Long an aspirational home feature, now across all price points, home offices are here to stay. Whether you have a dedicated room, have carved out a corner somewhere, or have worked a desk into a multifunctional space, the home office now serves as a dedicated space to work, concentrate, and be productive.
But is your home office keeping up with the times?
If you’re planning to sell your home soon, you may be curious about what buyers are looking for in a home office. Or maybe after a few years of working from home, you’re ready to refresh your space. In any event, it can be helpful (and fun!) to see how home office design is trending.
Here are seven elements you need in your home office to keep it on trend.
Natural light
First and foremost, you want to make sure your home office receives plenty of natural light. There are many good reasons why Harvard Business Review found that access to natural light is the number one attribute people want in their workspace. For one, natural light makes us more productive during the day and actually helps you sleep better, too. As we head into winter months, natural light can also help lower the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder. We also love it because it supports our favorite home office friends: house plants.
Set yourself up for success no matter the time of day. Install nice window shades, blinds, or curtains to help diffuse hard light in the middle of the day. Reduce eye strain by adding in a floor lamp or desk light to supplement the light you’ll get from your nearby window. Consider a statement lighting fixture for a little added drama.
Stylish and functional storage
Is working from home stressful and chaotic? Take some time to create a space that better projects calmness and balance. The best way to do that is to reassess your storage. If you “store” all your work supplies and paperwork on the surface of your desk, start there. Invest in new drawers, shelving, and other storage options that will help you stay organized in the way that works best for you. If you have a small, busy space, consider “secret storage” options like hidden filing cabinets that put the clutter out of sight. A thoughtful built-in shelving system can also add functionality to your space and value to your home in the long run.
Room for two (or more!)
You may be the one in your household who works from home full time, but you’re probably not the only one who needs dedicated work space. Today’s luxury buyers are searching for not one, but two dedicated home offices. If that’s not feasible for your home, consider getting a two-sided desk or installing desks on opposite sides of a room, as shown above. If you have children, you may want to incorporate a homework nook into the space. Likewise, we know your dogs and cats work hard to keep you company during your home office hours. Consider adding a space for them to join in the fun.
Design for your brain
Many creatives do their best work in minimalist spaces with monochromatic color schemes and clean, modern lines. If a zen-inspired home office space works best for you, we recommend going that route. In addition to helping you stay focused during your work day, earth tones and clean spaces look most attractive to home buyers.
On the other hand, maximalism is having a moment right now. If you’re inspired by bright colors, lots of art, and a funky style—you do you! Design styles like glam and Boho are popular right now and lend themselves toward maximalism. Other styles, like the traditional academic home office look, could lean either way but work best when rich colors and plush furniture are part of the design.
Vertical elements
When sitting at a desk, it’s easy to think about the horizontal elements of your home office’s design: the open desk space, open floor space, and even a side table. But don’t neglect the vertical space! Adding a few floating shelves above your desk is a great way to keep office supplies close without crowding you. A wall sconce could even free up the space your desk lamp is using right now. We’re also big fans of bulletin boards and pin boards, floating storage options, as well as gallery walls. Use wall art to create “windows” into inspiring places.
Lounge zone
You’re not going to want to spend 40 hours a week sitting at your home desk without moving. What will you do instead: wander into the living room and plop yourself in front of the television? Set yourself up for success (and fewer distractions) by incorporating a rest area into your home office itself. Invest in functional, adaptable furniture that creates dynamic and flexible workspaces. Something as simple as an adjustable chair can make a big difference. But if you can, think about adding a chaise lounge, a reading nook with an arm chair, or even a full sitting area with a coffee table.
A statement piece
Whether you’ve gone minimalist with a modern Scandinavian look or full jungle-pattern maximalist, every well designed room needs a statement piece. This pop of color or pattern could take many forms: a shaggy blue area rug, a bright pink desk chair, a framed square of patterned wallpaper, etc. Even your desk itself could serve this role—and it would be fitting since it’s the centerpiece of your home office. If you’re lucky enough to start with this piece, you can work the whole design of the room around it. Otherwise, look at which element of your home office is the least satisfying, and try replacing it with something that sparks joy for you.
Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate is the #1 real estate company in the Carolinas, with more than 80 offices and 1,800 agents serving communities across North and South Carolina and Georgia. As part of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, the largest family-owned and operated real estate company in the United States, Howard Hanna Allen Tate offers a full suite of real estate services, including mortgage, insurance, title, and relocation.
For more information, visit howardhannatate.com.
