The dining room may be enjoying a quiet revival in interior design, but in many homes it remains one of the least-used spaces during daylight hours. And with hybrid working now firmly part of modern life, it makes perfect sense to put that overlooked square footage to better use.
Transforming a dining room into a home office might sound like a big shift, but it’s actually one of the easiest space upgrades you can make. There’s rarely any need for major renovation – just a few thoughtful furniture choices, well-planned lighting and some smart design tweaks.
From dining tables that double as generous desks to bureaus that hide paperwork in a heartbeat, we asked interior experts how to create a home office that slips effortlessly into a room you already have.
1. Work out whether your dining room needs to be a dedicated office or a dual-purpose space
Before moving any furniture, take a realistic look at how your dining room actually works for your household. For many families, it’s a room used in short bursts, as Rohan Blacker, founder of Schplendid, notes: “With average meal times taking less than 30 minutes and fewer than half of us eating at a formal dining table, it feels like a no-brainer for these spaces to work harder for all the family.”
If the room sits unused Monday to Friday, a dedicated home office could be the best use of this space. But if you enjoy hosting or want to keep the option of a dining space alive, a dual-purpose room is the smarter approach.
A hybrid dining room/home office approach often strikes the right balance — practical in the daytime, sociable in the evening, without sacrificing either role.
Founder of Schplendid, Rohan Blacker brings a long track record in British design, previously co-founding sofa.com and Pooky. His focus is on creating stylish, functional pieces for modern homes.
2. Make the most of what your dining room already offers
A surprising number of dining rooms are already primed for reinvention, as they’re often underused yet full of potential. Adam Robertson, managing director at Urbane Living, explains: “Dining rooms often make excellent candidates for conversion into home offices, as they tend to have good proportions, generous natural light and a degree of separation from busy family zones – all ideal qualities for creating a calm and productive workspace.”
If your dining room benefits from good natural light, enough wall space for storage and a layout that already feels a little tucked away from the action, you’re starting from strong foundations.
Managing director of Urbane Living, Adam Robertson draws on extensive expertise in premium flooring and materials, helping homeowners create elegant, long-lasting interiors rooted in craftsmanship and thoughtful design.
3. Sort the practicalities early
Good design starts with the basics, and electrical access is one of the most common oversights when converting a dining room into a workspace. You can browse a wide range of light switches and outlets to suit your scheme at retailers such as B&Q and Amazon.
The room’s physical foundations deserve attention too. “The floor forms the foundation of any successful room design,” says Adam Robertson. “A smooth, durable engineered wood floor works beautifully in a home office, offering comfort underfoot for long periods while being easy to maintain.” A rug beneath the table or desk can also help with zoning and soften acoustics.
Finally, take a moment to measure up properly. Getting these dimensions right from the start will ensure your home office functions smoothly from day one, without compromising the room’s sociable feel later on.
4. Choose furniture and finishes that support both work and dining
Whether your dining room is becoming a full-time office or a hybrid space, the furniture and finishes you choose will shape how comfortably it performs in both roles.
A well-proportioned desk is a good starting point. Rohan Blacker recommends opting for something streamlined: “Look for designs with sleek, slimline proportions so they don’t feel imposing. Discreet, integrated storage is also a must, as you don’t want to look at your work for the rest of the evening.”
For hybrid rooms, the dining table can be a real asset. Sue Jones, founder of OKA, notes how naturally it lends itself to office work: “The dining table itself can work beautifully as a desk because it’s already the right height, and the generous surface gives you plenty of room to spread out.” Extendable designs are especially useful, staying compact during the week and expanding when it’s time to host.
Once the main working surface is sorted, turn your attention to comfort. Long hours demand supportive seating, and Sue Jones emphasises the difference it makes: “Opting for a chair with arms and a cushioned back is far more comfortable for desk work than something harder or backless.”
For real flexibility, it helps to choose modular furniture that can work a little harder for you. These mix-and-match pieces let you adjust the office layout over time without having to start from scratch.
Co-founder and Creative Director of OKA, Sue Jones launched the business in 1999 and continues to shape its distinctive furniture and accessories collections with her deep knowledge of high-end interiors.
Shop office furniture
This compact desk offers a spacious work surface with built-in drawers and a pull-out shelf, keeping everything organised and within reach.
This stylish office chair combines adjustable height with generous padding, giving you the comfort you need for long, productive days at your desk.
This compact hideaway desk has a lift-up surface and hidden storage, ideal for creating a workspace that tidies away in seconds.
5. Plan a lighting scheme that adapts throughout the day
“The lighting requirements for working and dining are completely different, but they needn’t be at odds,” says James Kendall, operations director at KES Lighting & Home. “For office work, you need consistent, shadow-free illumination that reduces eye strain and maintains focus throughout the day. For dining, you want atmospheric, adjustable lighting that creates ambience. The solution lies in creating a flexible lighting scheme with multiple circuits and dimming capability.”
He continues: “When lighting a home office, your workspace requires focused illumination without glare on computer screens, so position task lighting to avoid reflections on monitors. A desk lamp with adjustable arms lets you direct light exactly where you need it, while an uplight component can provide ambient fill without screen glare.”
For evening meals, he explains that flexibility is key: “A central pendant or chandelier is traditional over dining tables, but it needs to be on a dimmer switch to work for office hours too. During the day, you might dim it right down or switch it off entirely, relying instead on perimeter lighting and natural light. In the evening, for dining, it becomes your feature, creating that warm glow that makes everything look inviting.”
Operations Director at KES Lighting & Home, James Kendall specialises in lighting design that enhances atmosphere and functionality, guiding homeowners toward schemes that balance practicality with style.
6. Add smart storage that lets you “close the office” quickly
In a room that serves two roles, well-planned office storage is a must. The goal is simple: clear away the workday fast, so the room looks warm and welcoming again by dinnertime. Rachal Hutcheson, national retail manager at Sharps, puts it plainly: “The most common pitfall in hybrid rooms is allowing work clutter to build up. Ensuring there is enough storage will allow for smooth transitions to easily switch off.”
Closed cabinetry, sideboards with hidden compartments and clever hideaway desks all help laptops, cables and paperwork disappear in seconds. But it’s important not to crowd the room in the process. As Kate Palmer, creative director at The Painted Furniture Company, warns, “It can be tempting to overfill the space, but this often makes the space feel cramped. A few well-chosen pieces will always serve you better than lots of bulky ones."
For maximum versatility, look for designs that earn their keep in both roles. Invest in good quality storage which can be used for office supplies and also function as a sideboard or buffet when needed. This kind of flexibility keeps the room elegant and practical, no matter the time of day.
National Retail Manager at Sharps, Rachal Hutcheson brings over three decades of interiors experience, championing clever, space-maximising storage solutions that combine thoughtful design with day-to-day practicality.
Creative Director at The Painted Furniture Company, Kate Palmer blends fine art training with furniture design expertise, creating timeless, handcrafted pieces that prioritise quality, longevity and everyday use.
Short on space? Our small home office ideas prove you don't need a dedicated room to get your work done. A well-planned dining room, spare room or even an under-stairs workstation can all deliver a stylish setup.
