Are you looking for new furnishings or hoping to use what you have and add to it?

The furniture we have is pretty functional, so may not change..mostly want to use them..

Also, can the desk be turned or does it need to stay in that position because of glare?

I couldnt really find a clean way to hide the cords if I keep the desk facing the door... and yes, also the glare.

Lucky you to have so much light to face while you work and when you have Zoom calls. Here are some suggestions:

--Is that a bookcase in the left corner.? If so,turn it around. If it's to store stuff, get woven storage baskets the color of your rug. Add attractive, non-cluttery photos and objects you love along with books on the other shelves. Move your big plant to the window.

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--Get another file cabinet to put next to turned bookcase. Go to big box store and get a wood shelf to stain the color of your furniture to create a shelf across that wall. This will turn out to be so useful and will add a built-in look to the room. Just keep it tidy, usuing colorful leather desk organizers for papers and such.

Huntersville Home Office for Two · More Info

--Put several large graphic prints above the new setup on that back wall so there's something dynamic to look at. This one with a touch of gold/tan echoes rug.

Industrial II Fine Art Giant Canvas Print, Black, Beige, 54"X54" · More Info

Society6.com has very affordable graphic print by artists who license their images to the company:

Add a table lamp with a soft shade somewhere for layered lighting.

Modern Home Office · More Info

The colors on this are off, but maybe try something like this setup. Since you only have one bookcase center it on wall and paint it and the wall out in a darker color. Add artwork to fill out the wall. If you can add a ceiling fixture it will help to visually bring down the ceiling height. A rug will help pull the pieces together. Your chair may not roll as well, but Id risk it to help add warmth to the room.

It doesn't look like the wall color really goes with the carpet. If you like the wall color, then just add art and/or some of the things the other commenters suggested. If you don't like the wall color then repaint. If you are working in this space all day you should have a color that you like. That's different for everyone, so I can't tell you which color that would be. Do you prefer an energizing color, or a relaxing color? Art is personal, so choose something you like that will give you a lift. You could put drapes on the windows to soften the look also.

Rip out brown carpeting and replace with dynamic rug…Wall art…Interesting lighting fixture for ceiling, plus desk lamp. You could also consider window treatments.

I just skimmed the comments, but imo your desk positioning, etc., is fine.

You mention you are interested in a “more lively” space. For that, one option could be to just bring in a rug - to layer a rug - if it would not be a tripping hazard in your space. And /or you could do something with wall paint, since it looks like your walls are grey, and grey walls are not particularly lively. :)

Here are just a few examples/views:

To me what it is missing is a sofa or chaise lounge or lounge chair as an alternate space to read and work, with it's own reading lamp for rainy days. I would turn the book shelf to face the desk.

So much natural light I would bring in more plants. I need to have a big wastebasket in my office! I've found large storage baskets work best.

Kohl's

Wayfair Bhotra chair

I might put this behind the desk

https://www.chairish.com/product/2930532/betta-43-contemporary-photograph-of-a-fish

or for elsewhere in the room, this pair

https://www.chairish.com/product/4921593/attitude-contemporary-expressionist-acrylic-painting-by-racquel-j

https://www.chairish.com/product/3480376/evening-wear-contemporary-country-western-surrealist-portrait-print

https://www.chairish.com/product/11827258/vintage-mid-century-folk-art-outsider-art-hand-painted-tiger-on-board

maybe I'd find a place for this

Putting a rug on top of the carpeting will make it harder to roll your chair. So if you choose that route, get a plastic piece for the space where your work chair is.

I would put up happy artwork. I have several pieces of art in my office, which helps break up the plain walls. Painting the room another color, or just the back wall is always a fast, easy, inexpensive idea.

A beautiful lamp with a soft shade on your desk, for me is a must. Direct light is easier to work with and a lamp adds some color.

Some ideas:

Thank You all. The wall is not my favorite but its my husband who spends all day working in this space and he doesnt really mind the color. So we may not be changing it soon We have another reading corner in another room that we use , so we may not need a reading corner in this area.

I did think about art works on the blank back wall, but I wasn't sure how big they should be. Since I have the diplomas on the small side next to the windows, I didnt want to have many frames and clutter up the wall space.. I like a more minimal look.. but not empty..

Love @maureen's inspiration pictures for your office. Stunning.

Since this is a guy's office, why not let him have fun and choose an extra large canvas for the far wall. Something he likes that he can gaze at during those times he looks up from the screen...as a momentary escape.

greatbigcanvas.com has nice canvas prints that we use.

We have this Yosemite canvas poster on our wall in a large size. Stunning and serene. I picture myself on a raft every time I look at it.