How to Design a Cozy Home Office

A home office can be a great sanctuary for all of your work endeavors. Oftentimes, however, it starts looking like a work cubicle. A good design plan can quickly change the look and feel of your home office space, which very often changes the dynamic. A cozy, comfortable work space inspires you and makes working an enjoyable experience. With some basic furniture and accessories, you can quickly update your home office into a cozy space you'll love.

• 1

  Gather your essential office items. According the the Martha Stewart website, these items are a desk, shelving and a file cabinet. A sturdy desk is highly recommended, and even an old metal desk will do. You can use bookshelves you have on hand for shelving, or you can purchase wall-mounted shelving at any home supply store. A metal file cabinet will last for decades and can be dressed up according to your office decor. Choose your must-have pieces with functionality in mind.

• 2

  Find a space for your office. Like your furniture, choose a space with functionality in mind. A dedicated room makes the home office a bit more private, but any space will do. You can use a corner in your attic, a small nook under the stairs, or a closet. You office space doesn't have to be huge, is just has to work for you.

• 3

  Paint your chosen space. A cozy office brings to mind warmth and comfort, so choose paint that works well with your chosen color scheme. Paint your furniture in complementing colors if you so desire, keeping in mind that nearly all furniture, even metal and plastic, can be painted with specialized paint. Adding color with paint is an affordable way to really boost the cozy look in your room.

• 4

  Arrange your furniture, install your shelving and add a comfortable seating area. This can be a secondhand chair or a comfortable chaise, but a cozy office should have a place for you to sit down in comfort.

• 5

  Install lighting. Overhead lighting is too harsh for a cozy home office. Use desk and reading lamps in your space. Put one on your desk and at least one more on a small table next to your seating area. You can cover your lamp shades with coordinating fabric for a put-together look. Install halogen bulbs which fill the room with warm light.

• 6

  Add curtains to your area. Curtains add an instant punch of color and coziness. If you have windows, install curtains that complement your color scheme. If you don't have windows, consider installing a curtain partition to hide any unsightly areas or pieces of furniture.

• 7

  Fill up your space with color-coordinating throw pillows and lap blankets. You can introduce pops of color with these items or you can continue to build on the color scheme you already have. No matter what colors you choose, the comfort of pillows and smaller lap blankets add a touch of cozy to your home office.

• 8

  Scatter well-chosen accessories throughout your space. Purchase one or two pieces for your walls that coordinate with your decor. Scatter no-flame candles on your desk and shelving to add the look of flickering candlelight without the fear of a real flame. Add coordinating accessories to hold your pens and office necessities. These small touches personalize your space and make it homey and welcoming.

• 9

  Add a throw rug. To pull all of the pieces of your cozy office design together, finish the look with a rug that incorporates the colors and feel of your office redesign. Even if you already have a carpeted area, place a rug near the center of your cozy home office. Installing a soft, medium-sized rug anchors the different colors and textures in your office and provides a put-together feel.