The workspace at home differs from the corporate office environment. Home office furnishings are usually more decorative, as they tend to blend in with the rest of the living quarters. They also tend to be smaller or more compact since the home office is usually a small corner or room in a part of the house. Bookshelves and desks are therefore more furniture-like, and chairs tend to resemble cushioned living room furniture.

Manufacturers and office designers have created entire office suites and home office supplies around home office design, offering an array of attractive and compact devices for every style and need.