10 Cozy Home Office Ideas That’ll Inspire You to Work This Winter

Are you having a hard time staying motivated and inspired to be productive at your desk this season? The right home office design ideas can help make your workspace a little brighter, a little warmer and a little comfier through the winter. From soft textiles to ideas to brighten up your space, here are 10 of our favourite modern home office ideas to help you keep cozy until spring.

bright workspace with blanket ladder, plush white bean bag chair and organizers on wall

HGTV Canada

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Layer on the Cozy Textures

What’s the quickest, easiest way to refresh your workspace for the chilly season? Bring in cozy textiles to add warmth and comfort to the space. From layering faux-fur fabric over your desk chair to storing an array of plush blankets at the ready (as Samantha Pynn and Sebastian Clovis show with blankets on a stylish ladder in this Save My Reno workspace), textiles are key to being comfy enough to get to work.

creative home office with patterned wall behind desk

Lauren Kolyn

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Choose a Cheerful Background

Whether you find yourself taking a lot of Zoom calls in your home office or you just want to add some fun to your workspace, make like DIY Danie and try this impactful home office design idea: create a delightfully ornate feature wall behind your desk. Need more inspo? Here are 10 ideas for better video call backdrops.

sleek desk in home office with glass walls

Lauren Kolyn

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Design Your Desk View

Choosing the right view – and positioning your desk so that you’re not staring at a wall – is one of design expert (and Backyard Builds co-host) Brian McCourt’s top tips for taking your home office to the next level. Making the most of your work-from-home view and natural light is especially important during the winter months, when a dark home office setup will be less than inspiring. If your office doesn’t have a window, position your desk so that your back will be facing the wall. Or, you can get creative – as the home office in this eco-conscious Montreal abode shows by placing the desk against glass dividers to let in the light.

cozy home office with string lights on window in front of desk

Pexels/Visually Us

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Maximize the Light

It’s hard to stay motivated to work when you’re squinting in the dark. When the days get shorter and light is harder to come by, maximize your office’s lighting potential with multiple sources. Here, the desk is positioned to be in a prime spot for natural light via the windows, while a desk lamp and a string of festive lights bring extra glow.

white home office with hanging green plants

Stephanie Foden

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Grow Some Green

Plants

are a go-to home office design idea for a reason: they bring colour, character and a touch of nature to the place where you work. In this artist’s work-live space, an array of hanging plants totally transform a classic office into an absolutely inspiring room.

white home office space with decor and books on shelves above desk

Stephanie Foden

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Pack in the Personal Touches

If you can’t tap into inspiration when you sit down at your desk, chances are you’ll spend less and less time being productive. Sound like you this season? If so, curating a mix of special items, favourite books and other sentimental touches can go a long way to making your office a place you want to be. If desk space is an issue, opt for a few shelves (as beautifully demonstrated with the organized office space in this Montreal designer’s home).

spacious home office with white curtains on window

Laura Clarke

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Treat Your Windows Right

We love a window in a home office – but the way you treat it can go a long way towards keeping you warm and cozy in the winter. Window treatments help the room retain heat, especially if you close the curtains when the sun goes down. If you want an element of heat retention while also letting in lots of light (and adding plenty of style) during the day, opt for a neutral or sheer window treatment – like the white curtains in this creative-chic Toronto home office.

sophisticated home office with kids' art on black wall

HGTV Canada

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Frame Something Bright

Love the elegant feel of a dark and moody colour palette, but worry about it being too dour in the wintertime? The black walls in this home office showcased on Making It Home with Kortney and Kenny are sophisticated, but we love how a white-framed gallery wall of kids’ art brings plenty of mood-boosting colour and charm into the space.

minimal home office with wood desk and beige area rug

Stephanie Foden

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Add an Area Rug

There’s something to be said for a clean and clutter-free workspace, but modern home office ideas don’t have to be sparse or uncomfortable. Take this professional organizer’s sleek home office: a simple rug frames the desk space while bringing comfort and warmth underfoot on chilly days.

Lauren Kolyn

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Select a Soft Colour Palette

Looking for small home office ideas that will keep your workspace feeling cozy – and not cramped? Consider your colour palette. Here, a super-subtle shade of pink gently defines the office-in-a-closet in this charming Toronto rental – the sheer blush tone keeps the compact space feeling open and light, while offering a touch more warmth than pure white. Want more ways to refresh your petite office this season? Here are more ultra-stylish small home office ideas that are worth copying.