Blog

Are you thinking about setting up a home office in your dining room? Choosing the right furniture pieces and engineering a suitable set-up allows you to work more efficiently while preserving a cozy mealtime space. Ditching traditional interior design rules and creating handy multifunctional rooms can better serve your work-from-home needs and accommodate busy family life.

The Benefits of Using Your Dining Room As Your Office 

Whether you have to work from home or do it by choice, there are many advantages to setting up your dining room as a home office. The leading benefit lies in the dining table itself – most dining room tables are larger than desks with ample surface area for paperwork and office supplies. They also have more leg room than traditional desks, allowing co-workers and family members to join you while you work.

Working from your dining room is space-saving and ideal for small homes, allowing you to turn the family study into a guest room or home gym. If you work a lot, getting your dining room and office combined creates a comfortable workspace in the heart of the home so you always feel included in meal times and family moments. It often only takes a few furniture additions to transform your existing dining room set into a fully-functional home office.

4 Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Home Office Space

1. Consider the Best Layout 

Consider the layout of your workspace in relation to your home when setting up a dining room office combo to ensure you sit away from any noise and visual distractions. Allow enough space to stretch, stand up, and sit back from your desk when you need a break – interior designers typically allocate about 60 x 84”. Consider the available electrical outlets in the room when planning the placement of your printer, wi-fi router, and desktop computer. 

Place your computer out of direct sunlight and away from any potential glare and try to sit with a window at your side if you like an office with a view. Adding an accent chair in the corner of the room is the perfect way to encourage visitors, clients, and family to drop in during the day.

2. Choose the Right Furniture for Your Space

Long, rectangular tables work best for a dual-purpose dining room office, giving you enough room to spread out while you work, leaving space for dinner time seating. Consider an extendable dining room table for an even bigger workspace. Other office dining room ideas include using your dining room cabinet or server to store office supplies or choosing a table with built-in drawers to keep the room neat.

Combining two smaller dining tables gives the space more flexibility, allowing you and your spouse to work solo in the same room or combine your desks for a collaborative project. A multiple table set-up means you can dedicate a separate surface for lunch, preventing accidental spills and giving you a midday break from your “desk”. 

3. Get Comfortable

There are many simple things you can do to make your office and dining room combo more comfortable. Choose a soft and supportive chair to use while you work for maximum productivity and comfort. If your existing dining room chairs are not suitable for an eight-hour work day, cushioned host and hostess chairs can help you create a more comfortable office in your dining room. Other ideas for cozying up the space include adding accent decor, plants, wall art, and a soft rug under your feet. 

4. Find the Right Lighting

Regardless of what you are working on, it’s essential to have proper lighting in place. Adequate lighting not only helps you to focus on the task at hand but also creates a professional environment. A standing lamp helps you get more overhead lighting without the harsh ”office” look you get from a desk lamp.

A standing light with a swivel function gives you the flexibility to shine light either directly over your shoulder or on the opposite side of the room to prevent eye strain while working and are an opportunity to add some personal style and design flair to the room. Ensure you add blinds or curtains to combat bright afternoon sunlight during the summer months.