With more of us than ever working from home, it’s about time that you made your workspace shine.

Over the past year, our homes have become places of work, play and everything in-between. Dining tables became desks and deals were closed over kitchen worktops, as the world vacated the office in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With home-working continuing for many, and recent reports indicating that a third of Brits want to call time on their usual 9-5, the home workstation has never been more important. Here, female interiors designers and space-makers share their hacks for creating an inviting, productivity-enhancing workspace on a modest budget.

Nikki Rees, interior designer and founder of Nikki Rees Interior Design

Invest in a good desk lamp

One of the biggest mistakes I made when I first started working from home was not having a good desk lamp and working late into the night with poor lighting. I recommend an – they come in so many colours that you can’t go wrong, and I love the Paul Smith collaboration.

Boost your mood with plants

I’m a big believer in bringing plants into your workspace as they can lower your heart rate, purify the air and boost your mood. Both and have a great selection of plants, but if, like me, you don't have green fingers, buy a ZZ plant. These hardy tropical plants need very little looking after – and you can accessorise them with a few great pots from . 

Consider your ‘backscape’

Video conferencing means our Zoom ‘backscape’ is now an extension of our personality or brand. Take a moment to look at this space – will it make you feel confident on a call? I’ve added a few plants to mine, restyled my bookshelf, and cleared away any distracting items. If you have the time, you could add artwork, a lick of paint or even wallpaper – whatever suits your budget and makes you feel happy and self-assured. 

Jane Rockett, co-founder of Rockett St George

Choose multifunctional furniture

Organisation is key in creating a space that can easily morph from one mode to another. Multi-functional furniture is an amazing solution for this, from benches that provide built-in storage space to ladder shelves that double up as desks. Freestanding cabinets and sideboards are ideal for providing a place to tidy everything away once your working day is finished, so you can get back to enjoying the comforts of your home.

Map your mood

Introducing a mood board above your desk area is a great solution that requires very little, if any, money to be spent. From postcards to personal photos, artwork and beautiful images from magazines, surrounding yourself with inspirational imagery is a great way to boost motivation and set a positive tone for your workspace.

Lizzie Green, Interior Designer and founder of Lizzie Green Interiors

Find a window of opportunity

Very few of us are going to be blessed with a leafy oasis to look out on, but positioning your workspace close to a window will be far more uplifting than a stark wall. Wherever possible, choose a space with plenty of natural light – it’ll be beneficial for both your mental health and productivity.

Desk storage is key

It may sound obvious, but an ordered desk space will bring a sense of calm and motivation. A good desk tidy leaves me ready to tackle the day; I love a pot of freshly sharpened pencils, an empty bin and a dust-free canvas on which to begin a new challenge. Invest in some desk-organising storage – brands like offer great options – to file paperwork and free up space.

Seek out a supportive chair

The right office chair will make all the difference.  Anything cushioned with a high back will help to give some structure to your seated position. You don’t have to spend a fortune – IKEA offer decent task chairs, or you might want to try eBay. Also, mix it up: if you have a tall chest of drawers, pop your laptop on there and try an hour a day standing.

Elaine Penhaul, owner and director of Lemon and Lime Interiors

Diversify your dining table

If you don’t have a spare room, you can opt to work at your kitchen table or in your dining area. This can be tricky, as these spaces are often the communal hub of the home. Keep paperwork to a minimum by using cloud-based storage and make your long-held resolution to go ‘paper-free’ a reality. Pick out a side table or spare cupboard with enough storage to hold your office equipment at the end of the day so that you can relax and enjoy a family meal on your dual-purpose table.

Convert that spare cupboard 

If you’re looking for new places to create your home office, maximising the space you have under the stairs is a great place to start. Could you take the door off, re-house the contents and install a desk and shelves to create a small working area? You can also use a light colour or a reflective surface, like glass, behind the shelves to make the space seem bigger. Similarly, a wide landing or hallway upstairs may accommodate a narrow desk with shelves above. In older houses, a traditional bureau with a fold-out working area can act as a beautiful statement piece when not in use.

 Create ‘zones’ in multipurpose spaces

Zoning an open plan room with furniture works really well to help you utilise big spaces. A large sofa or a tall, open bookcase can be used as a divider between areas – for example, a console table behind a sofa with tall lamps or vases can divide a room into distinct areas.