Create a stylish home office without breaking the bank...

Almost all of us have a home office, a study or some sort of a work space. I can vouch for the fact that a serene work space can not only look beautiful but improve your productivity. 

You wouldn’t want to sit and relax in a messy unattractive living room, you wouldn’t be inspired to cook in a dingy ugly kitchen, so what makes you think you can be creative and motivated if your office has all the appeal of a teenage boys bedroom!!??

Creating an appealing office does not have to mean splashing out on a stock standard ‘rip off’ desk and chair. The saying ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ was never so true as to a renovator or home decorator.  The most beautiful offices are those that reflect your personality, your interests and surround you with inspiration while having all the functional elements required.  This means being creative ....not throwing around money.

THE DESK

DON’T under any circumstances buy some ugly cheap laminate desk. Instead go hunting for interesting tables or desks from second hand stores or haggle over a floor stock item..its going to get dents and scratches anyway, they just add to the character. Don’t be put off by the colour of anything you see, you are looking for size and craftsmanship. It is easy to paint or stain, but you can’t do that to an Office Works laminate desk! Just make sure the desk you choose can fit, your laptop, printer, mouse pad, telephone, mobile, (baby monitor..optional), drink, snack, paperwork, lamp, in tray, paperclips, stapler, calculator, sticky tape. These all need to be accessible on or around the desk. Most importantly some photos or your favourite ornaments need a home on your desk.



My office now feels like the best room in the house.



PERSONALISE THE SPACE

When I finally put up my qualifications on the wall my partner said it looked like a shrine to Priscilla...my answer ..‘It is!’. If you worked hard for your qualifications  why aren’t they on the wall. Frames only cost $10 these days, so TODAY go to the Reject Shop, GoLo, Target or Kmart and buy the frame....and hang it up!!! These reflect your personality and if you’re anything like me I’m always fascinated to see what people put on the wall of their office.

All the hard work, late nights studying and saying no to parties and nights out will be a little more worth it when you see this in your office.

WALLS

Create a feature wall behind your desk with wallpaper. In an office wallpaper can create a different mood out of what would otherwise be quite a bland display of furniture and objects.

Lash out on one piece that reflects you. This otherwise quite simple office desk is given a big Wow factor by adding a unique modern office desk.



If modern minimalism is your style, get a quirky filing cabinet, or even buy a second hand one and spray paint it with a splash of colour.












This look could easily be achieved with a trip to Ikea. Unique posters can be ordered online. An incredibly simple furniture and colour scheme can have a hug hit of your personality with a poster that you love.

LIGHT
Natural light when you’re working is critical. Placement of your workspace should maximise natural light and not cast shadows on your working area. Apart from it being bad for your eyesight,  working in inadequate sunlight can lead to a deficiency in Vitamin D and can also lead to seasonal affective disorder S.A.D. a form of the winter blues. Remember we were not designed to sit at a desk 10 hours a day. Plus, squinting causes wrinkles!

THE CHAIR

Ok, a good quality office chair can cost a fortune so find a middle of the road one. I have added a $10 lumber support to mine and it’s perfect. These chairs are not exactly attractive so keep a more decorative chair nearby and somehow this seems to balance it out. Its important to have a spare chair for those times when friends or clients visit your office.

FILE STORAGE

Dont feel the need to store a huge filing cabinet in your office, especially if your office is small, is in a main living area or doubles as a guest room (as mine does). If you think about it, even corporations hide away files in archive rooms. So pop your filing out of the way and just keep day to day files in your office. Use decorative boxes (just buy the cheap ones and cover them in wrapping paper or draw liner paper as I have below).

Look for shelving that meets your needs, NOT boring old book shelves or office credenzas. I am currently using my sons white baby room furniture. I added black and white boxes to give it a bit more character and lined the back of the shelves with a black and white botanical print paper. Worked a treat!

You cant go past baskets for storage in an office, they add a bit of texture and hide away all the messy bits.

If you don’t have space for an office in the house or apartment, then a cubby or shed can easily be converted with a coat of paint and some second hand French doors. There is no excuse for an external office not to be as attractive as if it were inside your home.

MAKE IT COSY

It is absolutely critical that your office feels like a space where 'you want to be'. It's not just a place to work....it’s a place to brain storm, to reflect, to entertain, to LIVE!!!!

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