Interior designer Katie Rodriguez has observed that with many working from home full or part-time these days, good office design has become nearly as important to employees as their vacation time. An increasing number of clients, in fact, are asking for a home office that is both efficient and beautiful, Rodriguez shares.
“With new construction especially, you walk into a home, and you immediately see an office either to the left or right,” the designer says. “Many have glass doors, and there it is for all to see, including you.”
That’s why she stresses creating an atmosphere that’s welcoming, organized, and spatially adept to handle not only computer work but also client visits, comfortable phone meetings, and a Zoom-smart ambience.
One of her favorite office projects is the Birmingham office she created for a client who moved back home to Michigan from San Francisco in 2021 and purchased a PRM Custom Builders (Bloomfield Hills) home. Here, Rodriguez — who runs Birmingham-based Katie Rodriguez Design and spent six years working in office design at Steelcase dealerships in Chicago and metro Detroit — shares how she pulled off everything from pet-pleasing appointments to banishing unsightly cord tangles in this roll-up-your-sleeves haven.
Fabled table: With an organic, textured theme running throughout the home, designer Katie Rodriguez ensures balance in the office with a large table made of teak. “It anchors the space, too.”
Cherished chair: Rodriguez wanted a desk chair that looked as good from the back as it did from the front. This chair by Steelcase is from NBS Commercial Interiors in Troy.
Shelf life: Good storage should always be a priority. The built-in cabinetry and shelving was created on-site by PRM Custom Builders.
Wired up: The white oak desk, by Designer Furniture Services in Pontiac, is customized for wire management, a necessity when a glass office door (like this one from Weldwork, Royal Oak) exposes cord clutter. The desk’s simple design creates a balance between decor and function.
Palette pleaser: The deep, calming paint color of the wall and millwork (Benjamin Moore, Trout Gray) creates a feeling of coziness and differentiation between work and home. “So much time is spent working,” the designer says, “so I’m a firm believer in making the office as comfortable as possible. In this instance, I think this color wraps around the room like a comforting hug.”
Fab fabric: The team went with a midweight drapery fabric without a liner that would “offer some privacy if/when needed but still provide a soft, diffused light,” Rodriguez says.
A dog’s life: Rodriguez’s client wanted her aging golden retriever — who loves to be near her while she’s working — to have a comfortable spot, so the designer made sure the dog could easily climb onto a sofa (from Arhaus) to view outdoor activity. “It needed to be low [32 inches] and firm,” Rodriguez says.
This story originally appeared in the January 2026 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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