7 Easy Changes to Make Your Work-from-Home Desk Look More Put-Together

Whether you have a dedicated home office or use a corner of your dining room table as a makeshift desk, creating a work-from-home space that brings you joy can not only make your daily tasks more enjoyable but also boost productivity and efficiency. A clear space can bring about a clear mind, as asserted by Alice Russotti & Francesca del Balzo, co-founders of PORTA. While the pair agrees it doesn’t have to be luxurious, they agree the space deserves to be intentional. Here, the tastemakers, along with Vyanca Soto, owner and principal designer at Market Studio Interiors, and event planner Kate Turner, share their insights on creating an exquisite work-from-home desk that seamlessly marries form with function.

Why Styling Your Work-from-Home Desk Matters

Despite all its benefits, working from home can be grueling. Creating a space that inspires creativity, lends a sense of calm, and makes the workday a little less tiring can have a significant impact on productivity and focus. 

“If your dining table has to function as an office by day and transform into a dinner party backdrop or family hub by evening, having a space that feels intentional and beautiful helps you move through those roles with a sense of ease and pride,” says the Turner. “In the world of high-touch events, I’ve learned the power of small rituals like lighting a candle, using a beautiful glass for sparkling water, etc., as cues that can shift your mindset.”

7 Ideas for Styling Your Work-from-Home Desk

Your home workspace should inspire focus and reflect your style. These chic, functional updates strike the perfect balance between form and purpose.

1. Treat Walls Like a Mini Gallery

Creating a work-from-home scene that inspires is as much about the surroundings as it is about the desk itself. Soto suggests looking to the walls to add personality and function. “Hang one oversized piece of calming art or a grid of small framed prints for structure,” she says. “A well-placed bulletin board covered in linen can double as a functional and aesthetic piece when layered with handwritten notes, fabric swatches, or pinned inspiration images.”

2. Invest in the Right Chair

“Never underestimate the power of a beautiful chair,” says Soto. When selecting a chair for work, it’s essential to consider both form and function, she says. The designer suggests looking for a supportive seat with a sculptural silhouette, covered in high-quality performance fabric such as velvet, linen, or bouclé. 

“A chair should feel as beautiful from across the room as it does while you're sitting in it. Comfort and elegance are not mutually exclusive; they should always exist together,” explains Soto. If a new chair isn’t in your budget, Turner suggests adding a small lumbar pillow in a pretty fabric to lend both an air of softness and provide support.

3. Make It Personal

Outfitting your work area with decor should take a more personal route than a corporate environment. To achieve just that, Turner advises looking beyond traditional art. “A framed family heirloom, your child’s latest masterpiece, or a favorite handwritten note can all become focal points when styled thoughtfully,” she says.

The event planner suggests a large, linen-backed corkboard that can be used to pin anything from fabric swatches to meaningful quotes. “It’s not only visually grounding, but it doubles as a mood board when planning gatherings or dreaming up your next project.”

4. Elevate the Expected

Proper editing is key, according to the Porta co-founders. The duo suggests keeping what’s useful and then adding pieces that have visual appeal. Think of a favorite mug, ceramic pot, or julep cup repurposed to hold writing utensils. Add a blotter to help define the space and call on an elegant notebook that can elevate even the most mundane tasks or lists.

5. Create Special Lighting Moments

Your lighting choices are essential, too. First step? Skip the metal task lamp. Turner suggests textured or ceramic lighting that will feel more like home decor rather than a corporate office. Pay attention to shade selection, and consider opting for lighting with dimmable qualities to help transform your work-from-home space into a peaceful vignette after you’ve signed off for the day.

6. Think in Layers

Whether you’re decorating your whole house or simply a small desk, the concept of layering is just as important. When it comes to your work station, Turner suggests using a trio of elements to set a layered scene. “A leather tray, a marble catchall, and a woven coaster can bring a styled feel that works whether you’re taking meetings or hosting a book club that evening.”

7. Add Fresh Flowers

No elegant home office is complete without a little something green. Turner is a fan of either fresh flowers or herbs. “I love a vase of garden roses or a bundle of mint,” she says. “It’s easy, fragrant, and transitions from day to evening seamlessly.”