Making your home office more functional and comfortable can be a quick and easy D.I.Y. project.
Bunnings Workshop members have shared many ways to stay organised and productive. Get inspiration from the home office ideas below.
1. Upgrade your desk
A comfortable, spacious and ergonomic desk is the key to your home office setup. Using a SpecRite Teak Panel and RapidMesh Furniture Legs, @robchin built a spacious desk for his home office in an hour. The step-by-step guide How to build a desk by @Peggers offers an alternative design, while @smhills78 shows how to create a built-in desk with lots of storage.
Check out our Top 10 most popular desk projects for more inspiration.
2. Add a cable tray
A cable tray is an easy way to declutter your desk and ensure plenty of workspace. Workshop member @butters built a timber cable tray underneath their floating study desk to hide unsightly computer cables, while @vr_syd fitted a cable tray underneath their Beech panel desk.
Don’t miss 10 ways to organise your home for more decluttering ideas.
3. Make a drawer unit
Drawers can help keep your office neat and tidy by providing more storage. @vr_syd made a tall home office 5 drawer unit using laminated timber panels.
Add drawer dividers to help you find items quickly and easily. How to build drawer dividers by @CSParnell has step-by-step instructions.
4. Build shelves
Shelves add extra storage space and room to display items. @Starkers_17 built a floating office shelf using a false back to attach it to the wall, while @ogosh combined Acacia panels and galvanised pipe to create a custom shelving unit for their home office.
Get more inspiration from 10 ways to use a floating shelf.
5. Add or change lighting
Lighting can make a huge difference to your productivity and mood. @Simon added an LIFX light strip to his home office desk with hardwood timber panel.
The Bunnings team advises how to Choose the right interior light.
6. Paint
Painting your home office is an easy way to change its look and feel. @MyKindofBliss used Taubmans Almond Milk in their coastal-inspired home office makeover, while @Taysha used Dulux Dinosaur for her home office update with VJ panelling.
Learn How to choose your home office colour scheme.
7. Install pegboard
Use pegboard to organise your home office essentials and utilise valuable wall space like experienced member @prettyliving with her craft room project. The Bunnings team has provided step-by-step instructions How to make a home office display.
Here are 10 ways to maximise storage in your home.
8. Create a feature wall
A feature wall can add warmth, texture and colour to your room. Member @Remarka6le found his home office revamp using timber slat panels not only looked sharp but improved his mood, while @Megarakawa used VJ panelling to create a more vibrant room.
Get more inspiration from 7 ways to create a feature wall.
9. Improve privacy
Improving privacy in your home office can help you stay productive and focused. You can use barn doors to partition a shared area or install curtains or blinds. Window film is also a great way to improve privacy without losing natural light as shown by @prettyliving with her D.I.Y. tinted windows project. Another option is a hidden office that can be removed from view by @woodalwaysworks.
Get more ideas from 6 ways to add privacy to your home.
10. Add greenery
Indoor plants can improve air quality and help alleviate stress, making them a great addition to your workspace. @joineryjo's timber plant stands effectively display potted plants.
@JoeAzza offers step-by-step instructions How to build a planter stand.
11. Upcycle old furniture
Giving old furniture a new purpose is an affordable way to add character and storage to your home office. @ElleM upcycled two filing cabinets with fresh paint, new fittings and castor wheels, then added a Acacia panel to create a practical desk with built-in storage. Fellow member @Maria-THBD created her home office using upcycled kitchen cabinetry.
For more inspiration, check out our collection of 10 furniture projects upcycled with paint and the Bunnings guide How to upcycle furniture.
12. Use accessories
Accessories can help add personality and warmth to your workspace. You can use cushions to make your area more comfortable or anti-fatigue floor mats to provide support while standing at a desk. @AnitaH25 made a stained timber headphone stand to store headphones when not in use, while @marliemakesit also used timber offcuts to make a handy laptop stand.
The Bunnings team provides more tips in How to create the ultimate home office.
More advice and inspiration for updating your home office
The Bunnings team has shared several home office guides that can help turn your desk area into a well-designed home office, including How to plan your home office setup.
You can also check out 10 home office project ideas shared by Workshop members.
