Design trends: Updating the home office

Decorate your home office with a few meaningful pieces that inspire you. Photo by JESSICA CINNAMON DESIGN

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A well-designed home office greatly influences your productivity, creativity and overall comfort, so if your space is lacking, it may be time for an update.

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“For many people, the home office did not begin as a fully planned space. It was a quick solution, a laptop at the kitchen table or a quiet corner that worked just well enough,” says Earl Ducharme, president and managing director of Häfele Canada, a global leader in architectural hardware, storage and lighting.

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Jessica Cinnamon, principal designer and founder of Jessica Cinnamon Design Inc. Photo by SUPPLIED

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“Today, with hybrid work firmly part of everyday life, that expectation has shifted. A home office needs to stay organized with minimal effort, support focus and feel comfortable to use for extended periods,” he says.

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A thoughtfully designed workspace directly impacts how you think, says Jessica Cinnamon, principal designer and founder of Toronto-based Jessica Cinnamon Design Inc. “When a space is functional, it removes small daily frustrations like clutter, poor lighting or uncomfortable seating. When it is inspiring, it encourages creativity and focus. The balance of both is what you should strive for.”

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Functional, inspiring

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Creating a workspace that’s both functional and visually inspiring is less about following strict design rules and more about understanding how you live and work in the space, she advises. Before dreaming about how the space will look, Cinnamon recommends thinking about how it will work.

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Adding texture through textiles, wood or natural materials helps soften the space and makes it feel more inviting. Photo by JESSICA CINNAMON DESIGN

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“Place your desk where you can benefit from natural light, but not where it hits your screen directly. Pay attention to how you move through the space, even if it’s just a corner,” she says. “You should be able to reach what you need without constantly shifting things around. When the layout feels easy and open, the whole space works better.”

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Choose the right desk and chair. “Scale matters most here. A desk that’s too small quickly becomes cluttered, while one that’s too large can take over the room,” Cinnamon says. “You want something that holds your essentials comfortably without crowding you. The chair is just as important. It needs to support you properly, but it can still feel like it belongs in your home. There are great options now that balance comfort with a softer, more residential look.”

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Home offices are shifting away from stark and minimal, Cinnamon notes. Spaces feel warmer, more layered and more connected to the rest of the home. “The goal is to create something that feels lived in and comfortable, not separate or overly corporate,” she says. “At the end of the day, your office and workspace should support how you want to feel when you sit down. It doesn’t need to be large or perfectly styled, but it should feel considered.”

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Häfele Canada develops solutions based on how people use their spaces, so everyday items can be kept within reach but out of sight when not in use. Photo by ALEX LUKEY

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Ducharme says he’s seeing a clear move away from bulky desks and visible storage toward more integrated solutions that keep everything in place without taking over the room. “Clean layouts, built-in shelving and multifunctional work areas allow the space to function efficiently while still feeling connected to the rest of the home,” he says.