8 ways I’ve made my small home office peaceful
When I was freelance, I worked in the living room, kitchen, or in my favorite coffee shop. Then I took a remote job at Homes & Gardens as Head of Solved and converted my small, unused guest bedroom into a calm and peaceful office space.
It’s a shared office as I work during the day, and my husband works in the evenings, with some overlap in our hours. I wanted to make this space enjoyable to be in, super functional, and free from clutter.
Here, I share the eight easy and affordable things I’ve done to facilitate this, whilst psychology, interior, ergonomics and gardening experts share their tips for working from home and being productive whilst cultivating a soothing environment.
How I made my tiny office uncluttered, peaceful and uber-functional
I wanted my home office to be terracotta colored and cozy like this small space.
(Image credit: Future)
1. Ergonomic office supplies
I switched to an upright mouse and a mouse mat with wrist support to make my work space as comfortable as possible.
(Image credit: Punteha van Terheyden)
I have a connective tissue disorder so my body hurts a lot. Whether I’m working or using adaptive pacing to clean, I have to be mindful every minute of every day to avoid injury and pain.
Anything that isn’t ergonomic or supportive in my home office will lead to wrist, arm, and pretty much everywhere-else strain. That’s why under my desk I have a small bean bag, for a malleable and easily adjusted footrest, as well as a mouse mat with wrist support, and an upright ergonomic mouse, all of which are available on Amazon.
I also have a large monitor screen that connects to my laptop, so it’s easier on my eyes than my tiny work laptop, as well as a monitor riser. I had a car crash in 2022 and am still suffering neck pain as a result. It’s made working at a desk super hard but having a monitor riser, available on Amazon, has really helped. It’s not only brought easy access storage into my small office space but also brings my computer monitor up to where it’s needed, helping to lessen eye and neck strain.
Anouska Shenn, a workplace culture and wellness specialist and Founder at The Office Yoga Company says, ‘The conveniences of working from home often mean we can spend many hours at a stretch without getting up from our chairs – no water cooler, no desks of co-workers to visit for a chat, no walking to meetings or going out for lunch. Musculoskeletal problems caused by poor ergonomics or posture develop slowly, and often it’s not until they cause us pain that we’re motivated to take action.
‘Setting up our workspace ergonomically and in a way that encourages good posture isn’t just about comfort at the moment, but also reduces the long-term physical strain of desk work on our bodies. By minimizing wear and tear on the joints and unnecessary effort and tension, we can feel less fatigued and more at ease.’
2. Aesthetic storage
I wanted lots of color in my small office, pictured, and found this sturdy and useful Costway blue sideboard on Amazon.
(Image credit: Punteha van Terheyden)
I didn’t have any storage ideas in my small home office after we converted it from a guest bedroom. Luckily, before making any purchases, I realized it was good for my mental health to keep anything strictly work related in my home office, but that it was important to have appropriate storage, so the small room I’d spend 40+ hours a week wouldn’t be messy or cluttered.
I didn’t want the stress of visual clutter in open storage and needed something neat and tidy that fit my strict budget. I also wanted the aesthetic to match my taste, as it would any other spot in my house. I went for a great value blue sideboard from Amazon, which has turned out to be incredibly well-built, and feels much more expensive than it was.
It gave me adequate storage to keep things organized and separate from the rest of my home, and I also love that it’s bright blue, and not by any means ‘office-y’.
Chartered psychologist, Dr. Meg Arroll, says, ‘It’s essential to do what we can to separate our work life from our personal life when we WFH. By zoning spaces, even in small areas, we can help our minds switch off from ‘work mode’ and into a more restful and restorative ‘home mode’.
‘This doesn’t mean home offices need to be too office-y or serious. WFH can feel isolating or monotonous at times, but by adding touches of fun to your home workspace, you can boost mental well-being and productivity.
‘For example, surrounding yourself with colors, inspirational artwork, or quirky desk accessories stimulates creativity. Also, changing up your workspace or having flexible areas, like a cozy reading nook or outdoor seating, helps shift your perspective, leading to fresh ideas.
COSTWAY
Costway Buffet Sideboard, With 2 Wood Storage Drawers & Open Shelf
This is the sideboard I have in my office and I love it. It’s heavy though, so build it in or near the room you need to use it in, and don’t make the mistake we did of building it downstairs then having to carry this heavy item up a flight of stairs. The handles are silver, but I replaced mine with floral cabinet handles from Etsy.
3. Calming home fragrance
I love having the ScentAir non-toxic fragrance sticks in my office, pictured. The ScentAir starter kit with Golden Bamboo scented reeds is delicate, refreshing, and not at all clawing.
(Image credit: Punteha van Terheyden / Future)
I have always had the nose of a hound, and I love making my home smell nice. Using non-toxic home fragrancing free from VOCs (volatile organic compounds that ‘off-gas’ when you get them), phthalates, and other toxic substances means I can enjoy my lovely smelling home office without running a heightened risk of lung irritation or other health ‘scaries’.
Dr. Meg explains why scenting your office can be beneficial. She says, ‘Smells and aromas can be a quicker route to inciting certain feelings because there is a direct pathway to parts of the brain associated with feelings and memories. When we smell something, odor molecules travel through the nose and go directly to the olfactory bulb, closely connected to the amygdala, a part of the brain responsible for emotions, and the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory.
‘Since these areas process both emotions and memories, smells can instantly evoke vivid feelings and past experiences. Hence, you can personalize your space any way you like – if you need to feel energized to get a particularly tricky piece of work done, think of a smell associated with a time when you were full of beans! If you want to feel relaxed, choose an aroma that reminds you of a moment when you felt calm and at peace.’
There’s lots of research, however, on how, as humans, we react to certain olfactory triggers – which have found that if you’re looking to create a calm and relaxing vibe, a few go-to scents can work wonders.
Dr. Arroll adds, ‘Lavender is perfect for reducing anxiety and helping with sleep, while bergamot and pine lift your mood and bring that peaceful, nature-inspired calm. For a more comforting feel, vanilla and sandalwood offer warmth and relaxation, and if you’re aiming for a floral, soothing atmosphere, jasmine and chamomile are great choices. To top it off, ylang-ylang slows down your heart rate and melts away stress. Mix and match these for a cozy, stress-free WFH space.’
Natriel
Ylang-Ylang Soy Wax Candle With Dried Flowers
A gentle waft of ylang-ylang might be just what you need as you set up your work day in your home office. This is made from soy, a non toxic candle wax type. Learn more about picking non-toxic candles.
4. Coffee maker
Our kitchen editor recommends the Nespresso Vertuo coffee maker, available at Wayfair for small spaces.
(Image credit: Future)
It’s such a small addition, and at less than $100, my brilliant pod coffee maker is a home office spend I will never regret. As I am disabled and have limited mobility, going up and down the stairs multiple times to get a hot drink is a no-go for me. Having a set of hot drinks available within arm’s reach, and snacks to keep me ticking over when needed, has made my space truly work for me, and avoid any further injuries associated with my connective tissue disorder.
To offset the one-use pod usage and assuage my guilt, I store the used coffee pods in a recycling bag from Tassimo and drop them off at an appropriate drop-off location where the pods are picked up and recycled properly.
Lydia Hayman, our Kitchen Appliances Editor says, ‘I would recommend the Nespresso Vertuo Next, which we have tested, reviewed, and awarded 4.5/5 stars. It is slim, sleek, and well-designed for home office use. It’s speedy and easy to use, with over thirty different pods to choose from, spanning classic espresso to fun seasonal blends, like watermelon cold brew. Plus, the water tank is a good size, which saves you from going up and down to refill it.’
Nespresso
Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee and Espresso Machine by De’longhi, Gray
If you have small home office you’d like a coffee maker for, this straightforward and popular model is a great pick. It’s currently on sale at Wayfair, too, so a perfect time to treat yourself. This comes with free fast delivery.
5. Low maintenance plants
Low maintenance plants bring a little taste of nature into your home and are great for improved wellbeing and air quality.
(Image credit: Future / Nick Pope)
The north-facing window in my home office has proven to be the most perfect sweet spot for my plants, which are happily thriving with minimal TLC from me. I live with intense chronic pain and don’t get out in nature much, much to my dismay. But, having thriving green plants around me whilst I work is comforting in a way I can’t explain.
Dr. Meg, luckily, can explain why having some of the best houseplants in your office is relaxing. She says, ‘Plants tap into our natural connection with nature thanks to biophilia, which helps reduce stress, boost focus, and even improve air quality. Just having greenery around can make your space feel more inviting, comfortable, and visually interesting, breaking up the monotony of screen time.
‘My personal go-to are low-maintenance plants like succulents, snake plants, or pothos which I have on my desk and nearby shelves. They certainly do brighten up my space and help me maintain a sense of calm and comfort throughout the working day.’
I couldn’t agree more. I have a snake plant, an umbrella plant, and a rubber plant. Rachel Bull, our Head of Gardens says, ‘For a low-maintenance houseplant that works hard for you, I would always opt for a snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata). They require very little time and effort to keep looking healthy, and thanks to their smooth, vertical growing habit, they are perfect for smaller spaces and window ledges. They are also known to help purify the air, adding to their calming nature.
‘Umbrella plants (Schefflera), are also an easy choice, and they will be very happy in a sunny spot by a window. Less is more when it comes to watering, and you can prune these plants if they start encroaching on your space, and they will come back thriving without any fuss. Paired with a snake plant, it offers a fabulous contrast in leaf shape and texture – what a simple way to create a peaceful, jungle feel in a small space.’
VIVOSUN
Vivosun Soil Tester, 3-In-1
This fabulous tool has finally helped me stop killing all my plants by over or under-watering them. I am glad to report after using this for a few months, I got the lay of the land with my home office plants and they are now thriving. It detects soil moisture levels, and also shows you the light and pH levels, too.
6. Photos of my loved ones
Being able to glance up from my monitor, pictured, and see the faces of my loved ones beaming down at me makes me feel joy every day.
(Image credit: Punteha van Terheyden)
I try to take regular screen breaks and it’s soothing to look away from my computer and see the faces of the people I love the most beaming down at me. It helps create ‘white space’ and is a mental reprieve when things are tough or stressful in the working day.
I also find it grounding to have personal effects in my workspace. It’s much easier to remember that we should work to live, not live to work, when my daughter is smiling at me just inches behind my desk.
Psychologist Dr. Meg explains, ‘Work can be, well, hard work – so by having personal effects in our visual field, we are reminded about our ‘why’. There’s enormous pressure in our modern society for our work to be Ikigai, a Japanese concept that means a reason for being, where your work is the intersection of your passions, skills, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for, bringing purpose and fulfillment to life.
‘But for most of us, this is unrealistic, and work is a way to primarily pay the mortgage and support loved ones – and this is totally OK! By peppering photos of family and knick-knacks from travels, we can push through those tedious tasks and remind ourselves why we labor.’
Wayfair
12″ X 12″ Photo Gallery Wall Picture Frame (12)
To pop up pictures of your loved one without adding a sense of visual clutter, go for uniform frames, such as this 12 pack.
7. Multiple lighting options
This Bobby lamp is one of my favorite things in the small home office share with my husband. It’s great when my north-facing study gets a bit dark in spring and winter.
(Image credit: Future/Punteha van Terheyden)
My heritage is Persian, and there is a quality we design our homes and spaces to avoid: ‘del tang’. That literally translates to ‘small heart,’ and is a descriptor in this context for a space being dank, gloomy, or dark and depressing.
That’s why after biting the bullet and being brave enough to color drench my north-facing small room with the terracotta color my heart desired, I installed lots of lamps and additional lighting to brighten it up. Now, I can enjoy my ‘cozy’ colored walls and ceilings, without feeling like the light has been sucked out of the room.
Dr. Meg explains, ‘Dark spaces can cause us to feel claustrophobic because they limit sensory input, triggering the brain to become more alert and anxious. In the absence of light, our vision and spatial awareness are impaired, which can lead us to feel disoriented or trapped.
‘The lack of visibility can activate a fear of the unknown, which is often associated with danger. Therefore, by adding some cozy lighting ideas, we can reassure the ancient and instinctual part of our brain that we are safe and free from harm.’
AllModern
Rialta 58” Traditional Floor Lamp
Save space on your desk by utilizing a floor lamp. This chic one comes in two colors.
Hebe Hatton, Head of Interiors here at Homes & Gardens, adds, ‘Pools of soft accent lighting rather than anything bright and overhead work well. I’ve found a table lamp, available at Target, placed close to my workspace is plenty bright enough to work by on dark mornings and evenings.’
8. Interior scheme I loved
Color drenching is super impactful and works in small rooms too.
(Image credit: Sofa.com)
I didn’t want my office to be stark and white and instead decided on color-drenching it with cozy terracotta. I figured if I am going to spend so much time in one room, it should be as beloved for me from a style perspective as anywhere else in my home.
Hebe Hatton, Head of Interiors, agrees, adding, ‘When I designed my small home office, I wanted the opposite to what I had previously experienced going into office workspaces. White walls, stark lighting, and cheap furniture just don’t fill you with motivation, and in fact, so many companies have finally worked this out too, and are pivoting on traditional office design to create spaces that better mimic at-home working spaces, or trendy co-working spaces.
‘I wanted my home office to feel like an extension of the calming and peaceful rooms in my home that I spend so much time in. I chose calming but uplifting colors like creams and butter yellows, hung prints on the walls that added pops of bolder hues like blues and burgundies, and chose furniture that was practical, of course, but also reflected my design style.’
Threshold designed w/Studio McGee
18″ X 14″ Citrus Harvest Framed Wall Canvas Antique Gold – Threshold™ Designed With Studio Mcgee
Hebe Hatton says, ‘Shea McGee’s collaboration at Target is one of my go-to places for affordable prints, I think they just look so much more expensive than they are and you get the frames too! I like the subtle colors in this orange painting, they are enough to contrast the neutral scheme in the rest of my home office but not so bold they are going to cause a distraction.’
Meet the experts
Anouska’s deep-rooted love of yoga, dating back to early childhood, and her broad experiences in the corporate world combined to give rise to The Office Yoga Company, a workplace wellness agency, in 2017. The Office Yoga Company is trusted by more than 200 organizations around the world to deliver everything from posture clinics and desk-based fitness classes to strategic employee wellness programs on a global scale. Anouska is certified to teach yoga (E-RYT® 200, YACEP®), breath work, meditation, and Pilates.
Dr. Meg Arroll (PhD, CPsychol, CSci, AFBPsS, FHEA, MISCPAccred) is a chartered psychologist, scientist and author with a specialist focus on behavioural psychology related to health and wellness, invisible illness and everyday trauma. Dr. Meg has published widely in peer-reviewed journals including British Medical Journal (Open) and Medical Hypotheses, in addition to seven mainstream books for the public on topics ranging from chronic fatigue to emotional eating.
Hebe is Head of Interiors at Homes & Gardens and has a background in lifestyle and interior journalism, alongside a passion for renovating small spaces.
Rachel is Head of Gardens at Homes & Gardens. Her editorial career began 15 years ago on Country Living magazine, sparking a love of container gardening and wild planting. She was previously editor of floral art magazine The Flower Arranger, before she trained and worked as a floral designer and stylist for six years, creating floral installations at iconic venues.
Next, learn how to how to organize a small house with no storage and delve into our small home office ideas.
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