Breathe New Life Into Your Home Office With These 6 Ideas

We’ve officially taken one lap around the sun from within the confines of coronavirus. I’ll speak for myself: I’m tired. And what’s especially exhausting is my ad-hoc home office. Working from home for an entire year is a never-ending rollercoaster, a DNA double helix, and a 365-day mood swing all rolled into one. But, we must keep calm, carry on, and breathe new life into our one-year-old home offices. Why? Because sometimes the best way to coerce yourself out of bed is to remember that your small-space office is poppin’ (and therefore, productive).

It’s the little things when it comes to a good ol’ fashion home office makeover — we’re talking festive mugs, an abundance of greenery, tech trinkets, and more. Rather than fixating on the big, overwhelming picture, we suggest starting small and focusing on attainable and affordable home decor revamps. Ahead, accompany us on our journey to achieving chic and revitalizing work from home offices with the help of some prime Instagram inspiration and some savvy shopping know-how.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. The product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

Inspo #1: Pop-Of-Color Office Chairs

Bright hues of pink, orange, and blue are a great way to say hello to spring and give your space a fresh new feel. Make a bright chair the centerpiece of your home office, whether you complete the daily grind in the kitchen, the bedroom, or a closet.

**Kelly Clarkson Home** Lourdes Task Chair, $, available at Wayfair

**Corrigan Studio** Giacchetto Swivel Armchair, $, available at Wayfair

**DeinDekor** Designer Desk Chair, $, available at Etsy

**QLMUSE** Home Office Desk Chair, $, available at Amazon

Inspo #2: Crisp Scandi-Style Desks

White and light-wood desks are crowd-pleasers — they can satisfy the average subdued minimalist and complement the grandeur of a maximalist’s excess belongings. If your current desk has lost its luster or your kitchen table is getting dingy, try out any of the workspaces ahead — all from affordable reader-favorite shops like Wayfair, Urban Outfitters, Pottery Barn, and Etsy.

**George Oliver** Freda Desk, $, available at Wayfair

**Urban Outfitters** Metal Tubing Desk, $, available at Urban Outfitters

**MoWdwrk** Small Oak Wood Desk, $, available at Etsy

**Pottery Barn** Tilden Small Space Desk, $, available at Pottery Barn

Inspo #3: Funky Desk Lamps

If your Instagram feed is as filled with geometric candles, wavy mirrors, and cloud-like furniture as ours, then it’s a sign to jump on the comfort-shape trend. Mushroom lampshades, squiggle lamp bases, and more funky light fixtures were made to literally and figuratively brighten up your workspace.

**shopvanillabean** Mid Century Desk Lamp, $, available at Etsy

**JS NOVA JUNS** Edison Lamp with White Marble Base, $, available at Amazon

**Latitude Run** Glossop Touch 19" Table Lamp, $, available at Wayfair

**Urban Outfitters** Alice Glass Table Lamp, $, available at Urban Outfitters

Inspo #4: Groovy Mugs

Sometimes, a picturesque cup is enough to make your workday a little brighter. From chubby speckled mugs to sleek colorful glassware (that can still handle your piping hot afternoon tea), an artsy cup is the WFH way to go.

**InspirationalCandle** Handmade Ceramic Mug Set, $, available at Etsy

**JoyofDecorating** Speckled Chubby Coffee Mug, $, available at Etsy

**Hay** Glass Mug, $, available at Finnish Design Shop

**FE FUN ELEMENTS** Coffee Mugs Set of 6, 12oz, $, available at Amazon

Inspo #5: Plants Aplenty

Plants are natural air purifiers, will add color to the dullest of spaces, and can act as little reminders of hope. Place a succulent (or seven) on your desk or hang a pothos in close proximity to your workstation for some chill and refreshing spring vibes.

**Bloomscape** Wellness Collection, $, available at Bloomscape

**The Sill** Classic Plant Subscription, $, available at The Sill

**Bloomscape** 3-Foot-Tall Potted Sansevieria, $, available at Bloomscape

**Soil And Clay** Dracaena - Warneckii Lemon Lime, $, available at Soil And Clay

Inspo #6: Breaths Of Fresh Air

If you killed your plant or just have an aversion to nature, you can still keep your space fresh with an air purifier. These devices ensure that the next time you take a deep breath for your sanity, it’ll be pollutant-free. (We also threw in a couple of essential oil diffusers for those who also prefer a dose of scent-supported relaxation.)