A good home office starts with the right desk and goes far beyond that: lighting, chair, organisation, acoustics, and décor. In this guide, we bring together everything you need to consider to create a functional, comfortable workspace that inspires you to work better, whether in a bedroom, living room, or dedicated corner.
Working from home has stopped being an exception and become part of everyday life for many Portuguese families. And with it came a real challenge: creating a space that works well as an office without compromising the comfort and décor of the home.
A well-designed home office does not need much space; it needs the right choices. The right desk, a suitable chair, well-positioned natural or artificial light, and small organisational and decorative details can transform any corner into a space where you can work with focus and well-being.
In this guide you will find
Choosing the right space for your home office
Before choosing any furniture, the first decision is where to set up the office. And that depends on two factors: the available space and the type of work you will do there.
| Situation | Recommended solution |
|---|---|
| Bedroom with extra space | Desk against the wall or facing the window. Visual separation with a bookcase or rug. |
| Shared room | Dedicated corner with a discreet desk and closed storage so it does not “invade” the resting area. |
| Dedicated room | Maximum flexibility: focus on ergonomics, natural light, and separating areas for focus and breaks. |
| Very small space | Compact desk (110 cm) or folding desk. Vertical storage (shelves, wall-mounted storage). |
Natural light is a decisive factor: whenever possible, position the desk perpendicular to the window, neither facing it (screen glare) nor with your back to it (shadows on documents). A side position makes the most of the light without creating visibility problems.
The desk: the most important piece
The desk is the centre of the home office. The right choice depends on three factors: the available space, the type of work (computer, paperwork, meetings), and the style of the room.
What to consider when choosing:
- Size: for computer work, a minimum width of 120 cm provides comfort. For more administrative work or multiple monitors, 140–150 cm is ideal.
- Depth: at least 50 cm to leave enough space for the screen at a suitable distance from your eyes.
- Integrated storage: drawers or side shelves reduce the need for additional furniture.
- Material: natural wood and sheesham are more durable and bring warmth to the space; MDF is lighter and more affordable.
The desks available from Gato Preto belong to the OFFICE range, designed specifically for home offices with a design that blends into the home décor:
599.00€ 479.20€
549.00€ 439.20€
299.00€ 239.20€
599.00€
View product →*Check the product page to confirm the current price—it may be on sale.
The chair: comfort is not optional
Spending hours sitting in an unsuitable chair has real consequences: back pain, shoulder tension, and accumulated fatigue. After the desk, the office chair is the most important investment in a home office.
What to look for in a good office chair:
- Adjustable lumbar support: keeps your spine in the correct position during hours of work.
- Adjustable height: your feet should rest on the floor with your thighs parallel to it.
- Armrests: reduce shoulder strain, especially when working on a computer.
- Seat with the right depth: there should be 5 to 10 cm between the edge of the seat and the back of the knee.
If your budget is more limited, a basic ergonomic chair with height adjustment is always preferable to any decorative chair without postural support. Your body will thank you after a few hours.
Explore the Gato Preto office chair collection—from minimalist design to ergonomic comfort, to work better at home.
View office furniture →Lighting for working without straining your eyes
Lighting is one of the most underestimated factors in a home office—and one of the ones with the greatest impact on productivity and well-being. Working with insufficient or poorly positioned lighting strains the eyes, reduces concentration, and affects your mood throughout the day.
The three layers of lighting for a home office:
- General lighting: illuminates the entire room evenly. Ceiling lights or wall lights. Avoid intense cool light pointed directly at the screen.
- Task lighting: a desk lamp or adjustable-arm lamp that can be directed toward the work area. Essential for working with paper or video meetings.
- Ambient light: a floor lamp or indirect light that softens the space and reduces the contrast between the screen and the dark room.
For video calls, the light should come from the front, never from behind (silhouette) or from the side (half the face in darkness). A desk lamp positioned behind the screen and pointed at your face solves the problem simply.
In terms of color temperature, light between 3000K and 4000K (neutral white) is the most balanced for daytime work. Above 5000K (cool bluish light) increases alertness but can be tiring during long sessions.
Organization: a desk without chaos
A cluttered desk is an obstacle to concentration. Organizing a home workspace should address three needs: what is always at hand, what is accessible but out of sight, and what is stored for occasional use.
- On the desk: only what you use every day: computer, notepad, pen, water. Everything else comes off the surface.
- Drawers or boxes: documents, cables, office supplies. One drawer per category, without mixing them.
- Shelves or bookcases: books, folders, work references. Vertically, they take up much less space.
- Cable management: cable ties, conduits, or a cable box under the desk. Visible cables create visual noise that is distracting.
The golden rule: at the end of each workday, the desk returns to its original state, with a clear surface and everything in its place. It takes two minutes and makes a difference at the start of the next day.
Decor: a space that inspires
A home office does not need to be austere to be functional. The right decor—without excess—actively contributes to well-being and the willingness to work.
Elements that make a difference:
- A plant: improves air quality, reduces stress, and brings life to the space. Any low-maintenance houseplant works: succulents, pothos, snake plants.
- A piece of art or a picture: on the wall opposite the desk, provides a pleasant focal point during visual breaks.
- A rug: defines the work area, absorbs sound, and makes the space feel more welcoming, especially in shared rooms.
- Colors and materials: neutral, natural tones (wood, linen, sage green) are the most conducive to concentration. Avoid overly stimulating colors on large surfaces.
- Beautiful storage: baskets, boxes, and organizers that are part of the decor instead of disrupting it.
The goal is not a magazine-worthy space, but a space where you feel comfortable and that invites you to work with focus.
Acoustics and concentration
Noise is one of the biggest concentration saboteurs at home, especially in families or apartments. A few simple adjustments can make a considerable difference:
- Rug: absorbs impact sound and reduces reverberation in the room.
- Curtains or blinds: in addition to blocking light, they partially block outside noise.
- Bookcase with books: a wall of books is an excellent natural sound absorber.
- Cushions and textiles: the more soft surfaces there are, the less echo and background noise.
- Noise-cancelling headphones: the most effective solution when the noise comes from other people in the same home.
For those who have many video calls, a wall with a bookcase behind it is the ideal backdrop: organized, with depth, and acoustically favorable.
Checklist: the complete home office
Essential furniture
- Desk with the right dimensions for the space and type of work
- Chair with lumbar support and adjustable height
- Storage: drawers, bookcase, or shelves
Lighting
- General room lighting (ceiling light or wall light)
- Desk lamp or articulated-arm lamp
- Desk positioned perpendicular to the window
- Light facing you for video calls
Organization
- Clear desk surface, with only the essentials
- Cable management taken care of
- Filing system for documents
- Desk reset routine at the end of the day
Comfort and well-being
- A plant or natural element
- A rug that defines and warms up the work area
- Neutral decor without visual overload
- Acoustic solution (curtain, rug, bookcase)
Desks, chairs, and furniture solutions for your home office — with a design that fits into any room.
View office collection →Explore the Home Office cluster - Gato Preto
Practical guides to creating the perfect home office
- How to choose the right desk for your home office
- How to organize your home office: tips for working with focus
- Home office in a small space: ideas for any room
