Designing a home office is no easy task. Because if you get something wrong, you don’t just see it, you feel it—and you feel it every weekday from 9-to-5. A great home office is comfortable enough to spend all day in, minimal enough to keep you focused, and ideally, interesting enough to get your creative juices flowing.

And if you need inspiration, look no further. We’ve rounded up 13 truly stunning home offices—and highlighted a design idea worth stealing from each of them.

01 Put Function First

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Designing a home office may sound daunting. Thankfully, the first step is simple: think about how you like to work.

“I start with understanding how the client needs the space to function,” Jenny Kramer, senior designer at Caroline Brackett Studio of Design, says. Ask yourself questions like: How do I like to work? What distracts me? And when am I most productive?

“For a home office, especially, function shouldn’t take a backseat to aesthetics,” Kramer says. “The two must work in tandem.” So, focus on what you need from the space. Then, think about how you want it to look.

02 Keep Distractions to a Minimum

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When designing your home office, you want to set yourself up for success. And part of that means anticipating—and avoiding—the pain points you’re likely to experience.

“I often see people layout the furniture in a way that leads to distractions,” Kramer says. 

Consider what you’re putting in your space and whether it actually needs to be there. Is that fun piece of décor making your office cozier and more functional, or is it going to pull your focus from your work?

03 Pick a Desk That Looks and Feels Good

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Desks are the focal point of any home office, and you’ll want to consider what the desk feels like as well as what it looks like. “Always invest in properly proportioned desks,” Kramer says. After all, you’ll be spending most of the day there.

Look for a desk that’s big enough to serve as a comfortable workspace, and tall enough to accommodate your legs—then consider what it looks like.

“There are so many options available, you no longer have to sacrifice style for function,” Kramer adds.

04 Paint Your Walls a Bold Color

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A fresh coat of paint can go a long way in any space, and since home offices tend to be smaller than living rooms or bedrooms, you can get away with painting yours a bolder-than-average color.

“Paint is the best way to create an instant impact,” Curtis says. “If your office feels dull or you’re needing a change, a fresh coat of dark green or navy paint on your walls and cabinets can create an exciting sense of moodiness.” 

05 Add Light Without Glare

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When it comes to home offices, light is your friend. Just beware of glare. Morris recommends “lighting the space to see clearly, while avoiding glare.”

One of the most common mistakes she sees people make with home office design? “Computer location in relation to glare of light and windows—and not thinking about the best desk location,” Morris notes.

Pair bright windows with curtains you can adjust throughout the day, and snag lamps with built-in dimmers. Both of these additions should give you control over your home office ambiance.

06 Find a Chair You Love to Sit In

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A great chair isn’t just pretty—it’s also comfortable and supportive enough to spend all day in. “Ergonomics should be a big consideration when selecting desks and work chairs,” Morris says. She recommends finding a chair that feels comfortable to you.

Kramer agrees. “If you’re sitting all day, it’s important that your desk chair has good lumbar support,” she says. Comfort is worth investing in, and if the chair you’re eyeing will help you get your job done sans distractions, it’ll probably pay for itself in no time.

07 Fill Your Space With Books

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Books and home offices make a natural pair. Why? Your books need a place to live, and your home office needs some kind of distraction-free décor lining its shelves.

“If you have shelves, beautiful books are essential,” Curtis says. Use a few to spruce up your storage set-up, and keep your favorite reference books at the ready in case you need to check them throughout the workday.

08 Give Your Desk a Great View

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When laying out your home office, consider where you’ll be looking. “I prefer to select the loveliest view of the room and orient the desk facing that way,” Betsy Moyer, co-founder and interior designer at Retreat, says.

But if distractions abound, you may be better off with a different set-up. “I find that having my back to the door—with perhaps a lovely view of my favorite curtains against a beautiful paint or wallpaper backdrop—is really how I want to stare off into space when I brainstorm the next big idea,” she adds.

And remember, you can always move your furniture if your current layout isn’t working. “Spend a little time testing the best place for your desk to be, considering views, lighting, and how people come into the room, Moyer notes.

09 Pair Decorative Lighting With Task Lighting

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Since seeing clearly is a big part of getting your work done, you definitely want to get your home office lighting set up right.

“Lighting is an integral part of home office design,” Kramer says. She recommends mixing and matching different fixtures to add function and flexibility to your space—and a little style, as well. 

“Mixing bold decorative lighting with important task lighting can be an opportunity for a fun juxtaposition,” she says. Pair your most practical task lamps with a few striking statement lamps for good measure.

10 Sprinkle in a Few Plants

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Plants reliably brighten up any space, and few spaces need greenery as much as a home office. It doesn’t matter how striking your desk is or how many cute desk accessories you’ve scored—your home office is likely to feel monotonous over time. 

“Always bring in some greenery,” Kramer says. “This will keep you energized and connected to nature throughout your workday.” Since plants naturally grow and change, they can be a great way to keep your space feeling new and interesting. Plus, they’ll literally freshen up the room.

11 Give Yourself Room to Move Around

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The last thing anyone wants is a home office that feels crowded or cramped. So consider traffic flow as you craft your layout. “It’s really important to think about your flow and your potential pain points,” Morris says.

If you like to move around while you work, give yourself space to do so. And at least leave yourself enough room to get into and out of your home office with ease.

12 When in Doubt, Declutter

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If your home office is in need of a tune-up, take a moment to declutter. “Take inventory. What do you have in the space that is not being used regularly?” Kramer says. “Remove those items or find smart storage solutions to move them out of sight.” 

Switching up your storage set-up may be all you need to freshen up your space. And who knows? It could even help you focus. “A cluttered workspace impedes production,” Kramer says.

13 Sprinkle in Personal Touches

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Remember that your home office is yours, so add pops of personality where you can. “Your office is a space where you can express things about yourself and bring in personal touches,” Kramer says. “We often find offices are a good opportunity to highlight things you love, like art, fashion, cars, etc.”

Ultimately, you want your home office to be a space where you feel good spending time. And if a sweet photograph or a few objets d’art will get you closer to that feeling, they’re worth it.