Ideas for Decorating a Contemporary Home Office

With technology advancing further and further into our daily lives, most of us spend at least a few hours a day working in our home offices which can be anything from a separate room to the family room coffee table. By taking the time to make a home office that is both beautiful and functional we can make our romance with technology blend seamlessly into our lifestyle.

All text copyright Shanel. Photo from Flikr - "home office" courtesy of mudpig.

Funky & Hip: Add Whimsy to the Space

If you are creative by nature, then you will thrive in a more eclectic style office. Artists, writers and musicians can enjoy being stimulated by an office that has a funky and hip aesthetic. To get this Willie Wonka meets the Mad Hatter vibe going in your office, paint everything that you see, and start with a coat of good primer. Add patterns to everything. This style is loud and whimsical combining bright, bold colors, crazy patterns in contrasting colors, and interesting shapes. Garage sales and thrift stores are perfect sources for furnishing your office in this funky style. Look for picture frames, storage containers, mirrors and accessories, and get busy painting. Dress your windows with layers of contrasting prints and colors. In short nothing is off limits. If it lifts your spirits do it. If it has not been painted, paint it, and if it has not been customized, customize it. This bright and cheery environment is sure to get your creative juices flowing.

Mid Century Design for a Stylish Space

For an office with the aesthetic appeal of post modern ‘Mad Men’ style, this look pulls in design elements that were uber modern that late 1950s and 60s; a signature method of this style mixes natural and manmade materials in unique organic shapes. This was the age of the kidney shaped swimming pool and ashtray. To achieve this look in your office, you can start with a very basic white color scheme, and add accents in bold colors. Bedecked with high gloss finishes, popular colors were lime green, bright orange and raspberry, coupled with black and white. While original furniture from this era is pricey, you can find affordable reproductions, and an occasional flea market or thrift store find. You can also find clean line contemporary furniture that offers a nod to the Mid Century style. A simple desk and chairs with curved organic shapes in any accessories will give you a Mid Century design office.

All text copyright Shanel. Photo from Flikr - "Home Office Toys" courtesy of cogdogblog.

Hide-away Solutions for Style and Function

If you are not lucky enough to have an entire room that you can devote to your office then one of the simplest solutions for incorporating your office into your living space is to purchase on of the many styles of hide away office desks. This piece of furniture is truly a multi functional room within a room. It allows you to keep all of your electronics and papers hidden by just closing the cabinet door. The desk comes in styles to blend in with almost any décor and can sit quietly in a corner until you are ready to do some work. You could even use a roll top desk to achieve a similar function with a more traditional look.

Sleek, Modern for a Sophisticated Space

If you prefer clean lines and no clutter in your office, then a more modern style will suit you. Keep your walls white and add a few thoughtfully placed pieces of art. Accents in bright greens and tangerine or cerulean blue, this modern office has a very clean line and minimalist quality to it. Accessories are sparse or absent altogether. Bright lighting bouncing off of glossy finishes keeps the room bright. Light and cheery with a focal piece of pop art, this environment allows creative energies to flow.

Artsy, Creative and Imaginative

If you have an eclectic style and you love found objects, then perhaps a more artsy or whimsical office would suit you. By combining both vintage and modern elements you create a comfortable environment; for instance, antique wall pocket vases may add charm displayed with artisan hand-painted wall art plaques. Warm colors showcased against a neutral backdrop are calming and create a peaceful workspace. Perfect for a seamstress of crafter, this type of space encourages creativity and whimsy.

All text copyright Shanel. Photo from Flikr - "Home Office #1" courtesy of rintakumpu.