DIY design of home office: how to do your own renovation

This guide outlines how you can easily do a DIY design of home office layouts and looks with your own renovations.

Renovating your home office with the help of a contractor might be the easiest way to get things done, but it is not exactly the most affordable option, and if you are just launching a new business, every cent counts, right? So why not do it yourself?

DIY design of home office renovations

As you can see below, it might be easier than you think!

1. Why Bother Renovating Your Home Office?

We live in the era of remote work, side hustles, and Zoom calls that inevitably feature a toddler strolling by with chocolate smeared across their face. (It’s called living the dream, people.)

If you’re finding yourself more and more chained to your desk, it’s only natural that you want a workspace that doesn’t make you question your career choices on the daily, so it’s worth looking at doing DIY design of home office renovations.

According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, a well-designed workspace can actually boost productivity and reduce stress. Translation: a home office that’s more than a rickety folding table in the corner might keep you from going bananas when deadlines loom.

2. Plan, Plan, Plan (Then Plan Some More)

Before you bust out the paint rollers and power tools, grab a notebook or open a spreadsheet (hey, some people love them) to map out your wish list for your DIY design of home office renovations.

What do you need in your home office for better productivity? More storage? Better lighting? A brand-new standing desk or a second monitor? Write it down. Then, prioritize.

• Inspiration: Websites like HGTV and Better Homes & Gardens offer a treasure trove of ideas to spark your imagination.
• Budget: Figure out how much moolah you’re willing to part with. A lavish overhaul might be dreamy, but your bank account might kindly suggest you start small.
• Timeline: If you plan on finishing in a single weekend, you might want to scale back your ambitions or be prepared to do some serious coffee-fueled late nights.

A well-thought-out plan helps you avoid those dreaded “Oops, I forgot to measure the height of the ceiling before I installed a chandelier” moments.

3. Gathering Your Arsenal: Tools of the Trade

Now for the fun part: tool shopping! If you’re a newbie at DIY, you may not need to go full Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor. However, some basics for DIY design of home office renovations will make your life infinitely easier:

• Cordless Drill: Because manually screwing in 47 shelf brackets will test anyone’s sanity.
• Stud Finder: You can attempt the “knock and listen” method, but a stud finder is more reliable for locating the best place to anchor shelves or heavy décor.
• Measuring Tape: Preferably one that doesn’t vanish the moment you actually need it (somehow it always ends up in the junk drawer).
• Level: Because crooked shelves are an invitation for everything to come crashing down at 2 AM.
• An Oscillating Tool: This versatile gadget can handle cutting, sanding, and scraping in tight spaces. It’s the Swiss Army knife of power tools, so you can look like you know exactly what you’re doing—even if it’s your first rodeo.

Check out big-name stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s for quality gear, and keep an eye out for sales. Also, remember your safety basics—goggles, masks, and gloves. Don’t skip them. For full guidelines, peep the OSHA website if you want the official scoop on how not to injure yourself.

4. Operation De-Clutter: Making Space for Productivity

Before you start upending paint cans, you’ll need to wage war on the clutter monster. Many a dreamy office design has been overshadowed by mountains of old paperwork, dusty knick-knacks, and that rogue rollerblade from 1997. Here’s how to declutter without losing your mind:

1. Set a Timer: Give yourself 15 or 30 minutes, and tackle one area at a time (desk drawers, shelves, the floor!).
2. Sort Into Piles: Keep, toss, donate, or shred. Be merciless. You probably don’t need those receipts from a sandwich shop visit in 2012.
3. Don’t Relocate Junk: The goal is to eliminate clutter, not move it to another corner of the house. If you’re rummaging through boxes labeled “random stuff,” guess what—that’s the problem.

If you need extra motivation, a 2019 article by Psychology Today highlights how decluttering can improve mental clarity. So, no more excuses—time to haul out those Goodwill donation bags.

5. Painting Like a Pro (or at Least Not Like a Toddler)

Next up in your DIY design of home office renovations: paint. This is where you can really set the vibe. Whether you want soothing neutrals, bold accent walls, or whimsical patterns, painting is the quickest way to transform a space.

• Choose Your Palette Wisely: Soft neutrals like warm gray or pale blue can be calming. Meanwhile, bright, bold hues like mustard yellow or electric teal can fuel creativity—just don’t go so overboard that you distract yourself.
• Prep is Everything: A bit of taping, sanding, and priming can save you from that dreaded “splotchy wall” syndrome.
• Test Before You Commit: Get a small sample pot of paint and brush it on your wall to see how it looks under your actual lighting conditions. Colors can morph drastically once on the wall.

If you need help picking a color scheme, you can consult Benjamin Moore’s paint resources or Sherwin-Williams’ color visualizer to see how that lime green might actually look before you commit an entire wall to it.

6. Furniture and Layout: Because Sitting on a Milk Crate Ain’t Cool

Don’t skimp on a decent desk and chair in the DIY design of home office renovations. Mayo Clinic emphasizes the importance of ergonomics: the wrong posture can lead to back pain, neck strain, and an overall grumpy demeanor. Here’s what to consider:

• Desk Height: Aim for a desk where your elbows sit at a 90-degree angle when typing. A stand-up desk is worth a look if you’re tired of slouching.
• Supportive Seating: Your butt and lower back will thank you if you invest in a decent office chair with lumbar support.
• Storage: You’ll want shelves or cabinets to corral any gear you keep in your office. Floating shelves can be a snazzy way to show off your awards, books, or random art objects.

When laying everything out, remember that you’ll want easy access to power outlets—especially if you plan to charge multiple devices or run a few monitors.

7. Let There Be Light

Consider your lighting, both natural and artificial, in any DIY design of home office renovations. If you’re lucky enough to have windows, make the most of that natural light — just be mindful of glare on your screen. For overhead lighting, try a simple fixture that illuminates the space without scorching your eyeballs. And don’t forget a desk lamp for task lighting.

If you’re the moody, nighttime creative type, maybe invest in LED strips or a floor lamp to give the room some atmosphere. Better Homes & Gardens suggests layering your lighting—think ambient (ceiling light), task (desk lamp), and accent (perhaps a small lamp that doubles as décor).

8. Personal Touches: The Cherry on Top

Your home office should reflect you — whether that’s a framed collection of your favorite posters, a homemade pinboard with motivational quotes, or a small jungle of potted plants for good vibes. Here are some ideas for DIY design of home office renovations:

• Inspire Me Wall: Hang a corkboard or magnetic board for pictures, quotes, or mind maps. Keep it visually stimulating, but don’t let it become a clutter museum.
• Indoor Greenery: A low-maintenance succulent or snake plant can improve air quality and reduce stress, according to NASA’s Clean Air Study.
• Family Photos: If family is your motivation, display a few snapshots—just don’t go overboard and fill every inch of wall space. Balance is key.

If you’re looking to save money, but you need an office that really does the business (pun very much intended) then DIY might just be the way to go!

Photo by Taryn Elliott