My husband has been working in the small corner of our bedroom for the last month, and I can tell you that it looks absolutely nothing like this pretty home office by designer Ariel Okin. Maybe that’s why I was so smitten with it. He could care less if he worked in a gray box all day, but if I were to spend hours in one spot on calls and the computer, a nice little setup like this one would greatly help my mental health and productivity. . . Not sure my family’s maturity level could handle the nude painting, but wouldn’t it fun to sneak one in somewhere? ;)
Checklist:Â
Natural light, if possible.
A small(ish) writing desk that could double as a nightstand, space is tight.
Storage. (A lightweight bookcase or etagere feels less “office-y”.)
Woven baskets for hiding papers, office supplies, etc.
A comfy chair. Lots of great upholstered dining armchair options that don’t look too much like a desk chair.
Something green. Even if it’s a no-maintenance, faux topiary, it will liven up the spot.
A pretty task lamp. A wall lamp could be mounted over the desk to free up more workspace.
Personal touches. Add a favorite piece of art and some framed photos.
A rug to tie the different spaces within the room together.
If you’re working from home, what’s your “office” set up like these days?
I love that she has faux topiaries. That’s validation in my book. If it’s good enough for someone with Ariel Okin’s design taste then bam! vaildation :)
I’ve invested $10 in grocery store flowers every other week. The little bouquet brightens up my desk for about 2 weeks. Worth every penny!
Emily, can you please source that lovely WIDE bamboo blind? I’ve never seen one that would cover 3 windows without a seam!
I’m almost 100 percent positive that’s custom. I don’t know of any ready-made shades that are that wide. I looked for our last house!
I have a loft space about the size of a bedroom. Lots of natural light. A bankers desk is set up with two screens, my laptop and a wireless keyboard and mouse. I recently added gold metallic tape to the wall behind behind in in a random geometric pattern.