Small Office, BIG Glow-Up: How to Completely Transform Your Small Home Office While Staying on a Budget

When my brother asked me to surprise his fiancé (my future sister-in-law) with a small home office makeover, I couldn’t say no. But there was a catch: I had to pull off the transformation on a $1,000 budget and less than a week to design, purchase products, and pull off a surprise reveal.

With most of that going toward a new desk and office chair, I had my work cut out for me. Spoiler alert—it turned out amazing!✨ Don’t worry, I am going to share ALL the details, plus budget-friendly tips so that you can also recreate your own dream home office setup.

Desk | Chair | Laptop riser | Faux tree | Plug-in sconce | Rug | Picture frames | Pillow | Leather desk pad | Curtain rod | Curtains

Just LOOK at that before and after!

Start with the Essentials: Prioritizing Key Decor Pieces

The two absolute must-haves for any small home office design are a high-quality desk and a comfortable office chair. Whether you’re designing a space for long work hours or occasional use, investing in these pieces will make the biggest difference in functionality and comfort.

Desk | Chair | Rug

In my case, I found a gorgeous desk for $275 and a super comfortable chair for $139 after some serious hunting. Here’s what I recommend:

• Look for sales or secondhand options on desks and chairs to save money.
• Try to make your home office desk & chair take up LESS than 50% of your budget that way you still have room to spend on other design elements.
• Choose pieces that match your style but also prioritize ergonomics and durability.

Here’s the full budget for my makeover in case it is helpful:

• Desk: $275
• Chair: $139
• Laptop riser: $30
• Keyboard: $30
• Faux tree: $150
• Plug-in sconce: $99
• Rug – 4×6: $50
• Picture frames (Set of 3): $138
• Pillow: $25
• Leather desk pad: $14
• Curtain rod: $38
• Curtains – 52″x108″(Set of 2): $70
• Total: $1,058

Yes, I went slightly over budget—but it was worth it for the final touches that made the space shine!

Desk | Chair | Laptop riser | Faux tree | Plug-in sconce | Rug | Picture frames | Pillow | Leather desk pad | Curtain rod | Curtains

Make the Most of a Small Space: Tips for Maximizing Impact

Working in a room that was only 76 inches wide taught me A LOT about designing for a small home office. I knew I had to maximize every inch while making the space feel larger and more open. Here’s how I made a big impact in a tight area and how you can too:

1. Choose the Right-Sized Desk:

Measure your space carefully and opt for a desk that fits snugly without crowding the room. I went with a 60-inch desk that left just enough space for a faux tree and chair. You want the scale to feel just right to avoid the room feeling cramped.

2. Define the Space with a Rug:

A rug instantly elevates any space. For small offices, a 4×6 or 5×7 rug is usually perfect—it’s large enough to anchor your desk and chair but not overwhelming.

RELATED POST: The Best Rug Size Guide for a Pinterest Perfect Home (Room By Room)

3. Use Your Vertical Space:

Add a gallery wall or shelves to draw the eye upward and make the room feel taller. I used 16×16 gold frames in a grid layout above the desk for a polished and cohesive look.

Picture frames | Plug-in sconce

4. Add Greenery:

A faux tree or plant can soften the space and add visual interest. If you’re short on floor space, opt for a smaller tabletop plant.

Quick, Budget-Friendly Upgrades to Try

Curtain rod | Curtains

You don’t need a big budget or a lot of time to transform your space. To save time and avoid major renovations, just focus on small but impactful upgrades as I did for this mini makeover. Here are some easy upgrades anyone can try:

• Lighting Matters: Swap out a basic table lamp for a cute plug-in sconce. It’s affordable and adds a high-end look without requiring electrical work.
• Curtains for Height: Hang curtains close to the ceiling to make your space feel taller. Use hemming tape for a custom finish.
• Decorate with Intent: Layer in functional decor, like a leather desk pad, monitor stand, or pretty storage boxes, to keep your desk tidy and stylish.

Plug-in sconce | Picture frames | Laptop riser

Plan Like a Pro: Tools to Help You Stay on Track

Planning is EVERYTHING when designing on a budget. Here’s how I kept the project organized:

• Design Layouts with Canva: Canva’s free software helped me design the entire office and visualize the space before buying anything. This allowed me to see how everything would fit together nicely!
• Track Expenses in Google Docs: I tracked every purchase, delivery date, and expense in a shared Google Doc. This helped the project run smoothly and ensured no surprises when it came time for the reveal.

Desk | Chair | Laptop riser | Faux tree | Plug-in sconce | Rug | Picture frames | Pillow | Leather desk pad | Curtain rod | Curtains

Final Thoughts: You Can Transform Your Small Office Too!

At the end of the day, the best part of this project was seeing my future sister-in-law’s reaction. She went from working at a cold, uncomfortable standing desk with a hand-me-down stool to having a warm, welcoming space she couldn’t wait to use.

Desk | Chair | Laptop riser | Faux tree | Plug-in sconce | Rug | Picture frames | Pillow | Leather desk pad | Curtain rod | Curtains | Keypad and mouse | Coffee table book

Desk | Chair | Plug-in sconce | Rug | Pillow | Curtain rod | Curtains