Years ago, the home office was designed for busy and motivated professionals who put in extensive hours outside the traditional business day. However, the COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a new era for employees, one in which the hybrid work environment became standard.
Today, as professionals learn how to juggle the blending of their personal and professional lives, interior designers must take a fresh approach to home office design. Understanding the current professional landscape along with the latest modern home office decor trends can help you create flexible office spaces for clients throughout your interior design career.
Key Considerations for Hybrid Workspaces
According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development professional organization, hybrid work is defined as a flexible work environment through which an employee has the ability to work both remotely and in the office. In general, most people who have hybrid positions work part of the time at home — warranting a home office space that allows them to stay focused and connected while working.
Defining Your Space Needs
If you are working with a client who would like a renovated home office space, start by discussing their home office design ideas as well as their functional needs. Before you can begin designing an office space and purchasing modular furniture for small spaces, get a grasp of what they do in their professional role and what tasks they will be accomplishing at home.
Balancing Functionality and Aesthetics
Functional interior design almost always takes priority when designing an office space; after all, this is a utilitarian area that is designed primarily for productivity. However, individuals who have hybrid work positions often want a home office space that is comfortable and peaceful, too, allowing them to reap the benefits of being in their own home environment. As an interior designer, you should balance the functionality of the space with aesthetics to create an area that both lends itself to productivity and looks attractive.
Designing the Perfect Hybrid Work Environment
Given how the pandemic shifted the way the world thinks about work, people are looking for a different atmosphere in their home offices. If you are working to create a hybrid work environment, you will want to understand their personal preferences for the space before you begin assessing the best work-from-home ideas for interior design.
According to research published in the Building and Environment journal, many modern professionals seek a work environment that prioritizes comfort, both in the office and at home. You can begin designing the perfect hybrid work environment by:
Selecting the Ideal Location
Work closely with your client to determine the best space in their home for their office. Not every home has a designated office space, so you may have to get creative and leverage small-space office design strategies. Alternative spaces within the home that could work for a hybrid workspace include:
- The bedroom
- An empty storage closet
- A den
- A breakfast nook
Incorporating Ergonomic Furniture
Comfort reigns supreme when it comes to working from home. Regardless of whether you are creating a small office design plan or working with an extensive home office space, you will want to invest in office furniture for home that is supportive and comfortable. Ergonomic furniture for home offices helps protect individuals while they are working and keeps them in a proper posture and position. According to research published in the BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders journal, an ergonomic home office setup can significantly reduce pain and discomfort — with the findings showing that employees who work from home part of the time or at “ergonomically optimized workstations” present fewer musculoskeletal complaints.
Creating Zones for Work and Relaxation
Many employees prefer hybrid work opportunities because it allows them to better balance their personal and professional lives. However, one of the challenges of working from home is disconnecting from your professional role and responsibilities. Thus, interior designers should actively work to identify a central home office space and ensure that their clients have separate areas where they can rest, relax, and unplug.
Designing With Hybrid Work Aesthetics in Mind
The field of interior design tasks professionals with creating spaces that are not only functional and cohesive but also gorgeous and memorable. It blends architecture with art, enabling interior designers to stretch their creativity and provide each client with an innovative, one-of-a-kind space.
When designing an ergonomic home office setup, focus on:
Choosing a Neutral and Versatile Color Palette
Neutral colors continue to be in high demand, particularly for home office spaces. According to the Paint & Coatings Industry Magazine, bold and bright colors are top choices for 2025, but they are best reserved for accent walls and living spaces. A neutral home office space invites peace and serenity while ensuring the professional who works there can use it as a multi-functional space. For example, a shade of gray or beige will create a bright and relaxed environment with few distractions, and it also makes for an ideal video conference call backdrop.
Lighting for Productivity and Comfort
Interior designers should use a variety of home office lighting ideas to increase the versatility of the space. The type of lighting in a hybrid work environment may vary based on the amount of natural daylight in the room. In a room that receives abundant natural light, you may only need a couple of lamps in the space. In a room without windows, however, overhead lighting as well as additional light features will give your client more control over the comfort of their space.
Stylish Storage Solutions
Storage is typically at a premium in hybrid work environments, mainly because most people only have a smaller space to dedicate to their office. Some stylish and creative storage solutions to consider using in your small office design include:
- Small tables with drawers.
- Bookshelves that offer storage while adding to the aesthetic appeal.
- A standing workstation that includes storage (such as a filing cabinet or a drawer).
Integrating Technology Seamlessly
Hybrid work environments must leverage the power of technology because modern professionals need to be able to connect with their colleagues in the office. Interior designers rely on expert strategies in order to incorporate the necessary technology without detracting from the aesthetic appeal of the space.
Managing Cables and Electronics
Cables and charging cords are inevitable in a home office environment — but interior designers can use innovative solutions to organize the cords and hide them in plain sight. Plants, home decor, frames, and other items can help cover the unseemly tangle of cords that always manage to collect in a home office area.
Incorporating Smart Home Technology
Smart home technology can streamline operations within any home office. According to PCMag, some of the best smart home technology for home office design includes:
- Video doorbells
- Smart speakers
- Smart home assistants
Personalizing Your Hybrid Workspace
While many corporations put down a list of rules for employees curating their workspaces in the office, the hybrid work environment is much more flexible. There are plenty of opportunities to personalize the space by:
Adding Personal Touches
The hybrid office is an extension of the home, so personal photographs, inspiring artwork or hybrid office furniture in a spectacular pattern are encouraged. Personal touches also add a sense of comfort to the space, helping employees feel more relaxed and at ease while working from home.
Incorporating Flexibility for Future Changes
Although hybrid work opportunities are likely here to stay, new and advanced technology will continue to shape the landscape of work environments in the years to come. Designing a future-forward home office space that will accommodate forthcoming trends allows professionals to grow alongside their hybrid workspace.
Case Studies: Inspiring Hybrid Workspaces
Hybrid workspaces have become the norm in many residential homes across the country. The following outlines examples of how hybrid office design strategies work in the real world.
Small Space Solutions
Many professionals have had to carve out space within their homes for a home office. Some examples of small space solutions include:
- City apartment corner office
- Converted closet workspace (“cloffice”)
- Living room nook
Well before hybrid work was trending worldwide, an interactive art director from Denmark discovered in 2002 that it was possible to create a hybrid work environment that fueled his creativity without bringing the stress of work into his home. Chris transformed a corner of his apartment living room into a creative workspace by adding a small desk and some additional lighting. The key was minimizing clutter so as not to make the workstation feel like his desk at work.
Blending Corporate and Creative Aesthetics
Despite the fact that hybrid employees work remotely at home some of the time, it can still be helpful to blend corporate design trends into their home office environment. A few trends shaping hybrid workspace design include:
- Professional minimalist design
- Industrial-chic workspace
- Eclectic creativity hub
Case studies illustrate how aesthetics play a critical role in productivity. When Airbnb prioritized aesthetic redesigns within its corporate headquarters, productivity increased by more than 50% among workers in the office. Weaving corporate design trends into the hybrid work environment can cultivate a space that allows a remote employee to focus and stay on task.
Customizing Hybrid Work Areas
Hybrid work areas can be easily customized to meet the needs of individual clients. Some personalization options you may offer include:
- Family-friendly workspaces
- Dual-purpose guest room office
- Nature-inspired workspace
One company, Steelcase Paris, recently created a hybrid work environment for its employees that was designed to enhance flexible workspaces while boosting productivity and morale. Elements such as a “WorkCafe” and an informal welcome area allow employees to come and go as they please, while still giving them a place to focus on the task at hand.
Learn How to Leverage the Latest Interior Design Trends at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
The next generation of interior designers will be called upon to develop innovative and creative home office solutions that enable professionals to be effective (but comfortable) in their hybrid roles. At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, our on-campus Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design degree and online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design degree focus on the skills and strategies needed for this dynamic field. Emphasizing the foundational skills of interior design while weaving modern trends into the curriculum, this program is ideal for those looking to carve out a career path in this creative industry. Request more information about our fine arts degree programs today.