With more and more of us working from home, it is essential to create a separate office space to do productive work that is not a messy kitchen table (or your bed!). If you’re lucky enough to have a spare room in which to work, no matter how small, you’ll know how important the design element of that space is. A masculine home office can become a sanctuary, a place to get real work done but also a space to relax, game and even just have some alone time.
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Creating a home office that reflects your personality and enhances productivity is essential, and designing a small home office that exudes both style and functionality is the key. In this blog post we’ll be looking at how to plan and decorate for a masculine home office – what the essentials will be, how to make it look stylish and how to appropriately plan for the space.
Masculine home office essentials
For an office to work, you’ll need to budget for a few essentials to get started. This will help for the function, styling and maintenance of your space:
- Furniture Selection: A sturdy wooden desk with minimalist design can serve as the focal point. We particularly love industrial or mid-century modern desk designs for a masculine home office set up, and you’ll want to think through the space you have available as well. If you have a lot of ‘stuff’ and not much room for storage you may want to prioritise desks with build in drawers so think ahead!
2. Smart Storage Solutions: In a small men’s office space, efficient storage is crucial. If you can fit one in against a bare wall – tall bookshelves or cabinets are the way to go as they optimise the vertical space in the room. The same goes for floating shelves above existing furniture – a great place to store not only your books and documents, but also to show off your decor pieces to add some style and personality!
3. Tech-Savvy Setup: Invest in high-quality, sleek technology that complements the overall design. Consider cable management solutions to maintain a clean and organized look. A large monitor, ergonomic keyboard, and an efficient desk lamp can enhance both aesthetics and functionality.
4. Personalized Decor: Incorporate elements that reflect your personality and interests. This could be artwork, framed photos, or unique decorative items. Industrial-style decor, such as metal accents or exposed pipes, can add a rugged and masculine vibe.
5. Effective Lighting: Lighting plays a pivotal role in any workspace. Utilize a combination of natural and artificial lighting. Most interior designer include multiple light sources in a space to create a better atmosphere – so consider in investing not only in a table lamp, but also a dimmable floor lamp and even some led strips to go under your desk for a stylish masculine home office.
6. Greenery and Natural Elements: Introduce elements from nature to create a balanced environment. A small potted plant or a succulent on your desk can bring a touch of freshness to the space. Wooden accents or furniture can also add warmth and a natural feel.
7. Comfort is Key: A comfortable workspace is essential for productivity. Ensure your chair provides adequate support, and consider adding a plush rug or comfortable floor mat to create a cozy atmosphere. Personal touches like cushions or a throw blanket can enhance the comfort factor, and are a great way to add some accent colours into your space too!
8. Additional seating: Having an extra seat for your partner, children, flatmates or clients to sit when they are hanging out with you is of the utmost importance. Whilst you may think you rarely get (or want!) visitors to your office – you’d be surprised! Comfy seating will help them to feel more comfortable and also give you more options when you want to get away from your desk for a phone call or to read a book.
9. Final Touches: Pay attention to the details. Quality pens, a stylish desk organizer, and a leather desk pad can elevate the overall aesthetic. Consider adding a small bar cart with your favourite spirits or beverages for a touch of sophistication.
Masculine home office styling
When styling a men’s home office, you want to consider your own design tastes (instead of just going for what you ‘think’ you should like) – this is somewhere where you will be spending a large bulk of your time so you need to like it! If you don’t know much about different design styles, I’ve outlined some tips for incorporating a ‘masculine’ style in my blog post: 3 men’s trends you should google right now.
In short, some of the best masculine design styles include: industrial, mid century modern, eclectic, post modern. These can be incorporated through your art and textiles such as rugs, pillows and curtains/blinds – and you’ll be able to find some nice pieces of furniture too by just adding one of those to your search terms!
In terms of key materials to use in a mens home office design – leather, dark woods, faux suede, concrete, metal are typically ‘masculine’ textures, and found often in the design styles I’ve outlined above. These also work particularly well with brass metals as a finishing touch – either incorporated in frames, wall art or lighting. Choose a comfortable yet stylish chair, preferably in leather or with masculine upholstery.
When it comes to decoration in a masculine home office – work is boring enough without being depressed further by a basic, boring office. Decoration is not as hard as it looks, nor as expensive as it seems – use pretty planters, add one or two ornaments to shelves, your desk or your window sill, and hang some wall art and hey presto – all done. Etsy has so many great original pieces, and you can always be guaranteed to find something affordable at a place like Ikea!
Men’s home office colour palettes
I have a separate post on this too – 6 masculine colour schemes! Again, in short, dark colour schemes exude masculinity for some reason. Think charcoal greys, navy blues and forest greens. Accentuate these with pops of metallics, like bronze or copper, to add a touch of sophistication.
Whilst you may be nervous about going for a darker colour scheme in a small room – trust me it works. There have been rumours floating around that this makes a room feel smaller – it does not. Keep the ceilings white and the flooring a slightly lighter colour and you will be fine! If you’re still nervous about painting your masculine home office – you can opt for ‘colour blocking’ (where you paint a section of the wall) or a feature wall (where you only paint one wall) and it’ll still look great!
Small masculine home office design & space planning
Space planning for a home office is a crucial step in creating a functional, productive, and comfortable workspace. Whether you have a dedicated room or a small corner, thoughtful planning can maximize efficiency and enhance your overall work experience. Here’s a guide on how to effectively plan the space for your home office:
- Identify your needs
Begin by identifying your work requirements. Consider the type of work you do, the equipment you need, and any storage requirements. Assess whether you need space for video calls, meetings, or collaborative work. Understanding your needs will guide the rest of the planning process.
2. Measure the space
Accurate measurements are essential for efficient space planning. Measure the dimensions of the room or designated area, including wall lengths, ceiling height, and any architectural features. Note the locations of doors, windows, and power outlets.
3. Create a functional layout
Develop a floor plan that accommodates your needs. Arrange furniture and equipment in a way that promotes workflow. Consider the placement of the desk, chair, storage, and any additional seating. Ensure there’s enough space to move comfortably and that outlets are easily accessible.
4. Consider storage solutions
Evaluate your storage needs and choose furniture that provides ample storage without overwhelming the space. Utilize vertical space with shelves or cabinets to keep the floor area clutter-free. Consider a mix of open and closed storage for both aesthetics and functionality.
You may even want to consider a bureau desk which can fold away after use if your space is multi-functional / occassional use. This works wonderfully if you have more vintage design tastes (and a bigger budget to purchase those antique pieces!)
5. Work around lighting
Adequate lighting is crucial for a productive home office. Maximize natural light by placing your desk near a window if possible. Complement it with ambient and task lighting. Use adjustable fixtures to control the intensity and direction of light, reducing glare on screens.
6. Test the layout
Before finalizing the setup, test the layout to ensure it meets your needs. Sit at your desk and imagine going through your daily tasks. Make adjustments as needed, keeping functionality and comfort in mind.
7. Adaptability and flexibility
Consider the adaptability of your home office space. As your work needs evolve, the space should be flexible enough to accommodate changes. Choose furniture that can be easily reconfigured or moved around.
Effective space planning for a home office involves a thoughtful consideration of your work requirements, the physical space available, and your personal preferences. By carefully assessing these factors and implementing the tips mentioned above, you can create a well-designed home office that not only meets your professional needs but also enhances your overall work experience.
Conclusion
Designing a small masculine home office is all about finding the right balance between functionality and style. By carefully selecting furniture, incorporating personalized elements, and paying attention to lighting and color schemes, you can create a space that not only caters to your professional needs but also reflects your unique personality. With these design ideas, transform your small home office into a sanctuary of productivity and style.
