Give Your Home Office a Bold Mid-Century Modern Makeover

If you’re a work-from-homer or side-gigging-unicorn, you need a beautiful home office that won’t hinder your productivity.

Maybe that means an open layout with a desk facing the window. You might want to declutter any stray items that took up lodging over the years…dusty treadmill, anyone?

For me, a happy home office is mostly minimalist, with a dash of mid-century modern decor and a wall of books.

Here are the essentials to transform your home office into a mid-mod workspace where Don Draper would be proud to imbibe.

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Modern Home Office Furniture

Your command center is key. Look for a large enough desk for multiple monitors, tasty snacks and maybe even some antiquated notepads and writing utensils.

Yes, my desk has a pencil sharpener. I won’t give up my Ticonderoga #2’s.

Cat on desk with standing desk converter in background

A standing desk converter will work with just about any desk, IKEA or otherwise, as long as you have a big enough desk surface.

You might find the perfect mid-century desk at an estate sale or on Craigslist. IKEA also has modern and minimalist options, like my Alex desk.

And Amazon is getting more MCM furniture all the time. Pick up a retro lounge chair for maximum style points in your next Zoom meeting.

Modern Office Lighting

Make sure you have a variety of lighting options. You’ll need bright overhead lights to shock you awake in the morning, and dim table lamps for those late nights.

Draper desk lamp on midcentury modern desk

Matte Brass Lamp

Draper Lamp

Mid-century modern floor lamp for the home office

Globe Floor Lamp

Mid-Century Modern Art

Surround yourself with art that makes you smile. Look for splashes of color, geometric shapes and retro typography. Or even better: mid-century cat art.

I work best when surrounded by cats, so I had to have a “portrait” of my fur babies in the home office.

Good Old Days Print

Abstract Art

More Home Office Decor

This coat rack is perfect for a home office, but it would be a shame to cover it. Install it by the office door and then throw away all your coats.

Build Your Own Mid-Century Modern Shelving Unit: Final shelving unit

Here’s a peek at my wall of books. The sunburst clock matches the orange in my office drapes and ties in with the neutrals of the room.

Throw in a mid-century modern rug and other bold accessories to brighten up your office.

Mid-century modern George Nelson sunburst wall clock

Styling Your Home Office

You probably spend a lot of time in your home office. Make it an inviting space, preferably packed with cats and mid-mod whimsy.

Get more ideas for your office:

Mid-century modern decor accessories for your modern home office

Mid-century modern home office decor with starburst wall clock

2 thoughts on “Give Your Home Office a Bold Mid-Century Modern Makeover”

Judy Marlene Besore
March 31, 2021 at 9:39 am
It’s awesome that you and Eric get to work from home! You have made your home office into a “happy” work area surrounding yourselves with things that make you happy….cat pics, Jane and Charlie coming in to make sure you are doing your work 🙂 , books and wonderful mid century pieces, etc. It all comes together to make it an enjoyable work office, and your desks and chairs look comfy for your day’s work! Great Home office and great ideas on creating a nice work space in your home!
- Tara Besore
  March 31, 2021 at 3:43 pm
  I’m laughing because Charlie was in here ALL DAY napping while we worked today. 😀 It’s nice to have the mid-century decor and lots of cats around us while we work!