If you've been temporarily working from home and are thinking of making it permanent, you don't need a lot of space - all you need is a wall and some interior design inspiration.
Flattening the curve. It's a phrase we've heard a lot about, and to put it into effect, many, if not most people have had to start working from home. Now, as the country is slowly re-opening, so are offices. How does this make you feel? If you're counting the days 'til you can get back to the office, great! But if the very thought of it makes you cringe, read on.
To those of you who are still with me, hey girl hey. You've enjoyed working from home and are thinking: hmmm... I could get used to this. You love the flexibility. You're saving money on gas and dry cleaning. Your boss isn't breathing down your neck (and even if he or she does call you every 15 minutes, at least your eye roll goes undetected). You don't have to wake up extra early to get ready for work, pack a lunch, battle the traffic, and let's be honest - spending all day in your pajamas (unless you have to jump on a Zoom call) is an indulgence. Your hair's a mess, you don't remember the meaning of the word mascara, you're not a hundred percent sure you brushed your teeth this morning, you can't find car keys and you couldn't care less. Sound familiar? Welcome to my world. You're gonna like it here.
If you have the luxury (and discipline!) to work from home, but you don't have a spare room to turn into an office, fret not. With just one wall, a little ingenuity, and a few smart design choices, a beautiful and functional home workspace is well within reach.
Here, I've created a mock-up to get you started:
First, you obviously need a place for your computer. I picked this wall-hung desk because it's clean, simple, and a significant space-saver.
MINIMAL FLOATING WALL DESK by Orange 22/Modern, $519.99; wayfair.com
A high-quality ergonomic chair such as this is a wise investment. And you can take it with you if you ever decide to go back into a formal workplace.
X¹ OFFICE TASK CHAIR, from $689.99; xchair.com
Look at this killer shelving system I found. It's on-trend and much nicer than having your piles of papers and other crapola scattered all over the floor, right?
NATURAL WOOD AND BLACK METAL OLIVER WALL SHELF, $89.99; worldmarket.com
To create balance with both color and scale, I'm a big fan of this console. I like that it's an attractive piece of furniture, not an eyesore. Also, I'm obsessed with the textural detailing on the door fronts. This piece can easily become a dining room sideboard, TV cabinet, or any other storage item in the future... but for now, let's call it a stunning file cabinet.
DOLORES CANE CONSOLE, $1,499; potterybarn.com
Ok, next is something I'm very excited about: D.I.Y. peel-and-stick removable wallpaper that is offered in a large variety of options. You can apply it yourself (no professional installer required) and it gives a finished look to the space that's stylish, affordable, and non-committal. If you get tired of it, simply peel it off and replace it with another pattern. This is the design I chose to coordinate with the core pieces above. Is it fabulous or what?
GRASSCLOTH FANS PEEL-AND-STICK REMOVABLE WALLPAPER, $125 per double roll; tempaper.com
You're going to need a good light source, and a wall sconce is another space-saver that also brings a nice ambiance to the room. This one has a simple silhouette with subtle curves for a feminine touch. Plus you can't beat the price.
JANE WALL SCONCE by ED Ellen De Generis, $188.96; lumens.com
(Did you know Ellen had a lighting collection? I didn't. Friggin' love her.)
Even though you're working from home, you still need to be conscious of the time. A decorative clock like this one below doubles as a beautiful home accessory, and I think the use of agate as a clock face is just so cool.
AGATE DESK CLOCK, $88; anthropologie.com
Essential desk tools are important to have at hand, and when it comes to both form and function, these artsy scissors make the cut. You'll definitely want to display them; they're way too pretty to be hidden inside a drawer.
HAY SCISSORS BRASS, $15, MoMa Design Store; store.moma.org
I'm a freak when it comes to organization. Life is hectic and it's really important for me to have what I'm looking for right at my fingertips. This file holder is so rich and elegant, but because it's faux leather, it's budget-friendly and you don't have to worry about it getting scratched or faded or all messed up. P.S. It would look perfect on top of that console I showed you earlier.
VEGAN FAUX LEATHER GRAYSON FILE HOLDER, $49.99; worldmarket.com
I've always had a thing for tortoise accessories; from eyeglass frames to bangle bracelets to barrettes, it's been a go-to material for me throughout my adulthood because it's sophisticated and never goes out of style. How psyched was I to find a designer stapler in a tortoise pattern?
KATE SPADE NEW YORK TORTOISE ACRYLIC STAPLER, $32; bedbathandbeyond.com
Even if you're not old-fashioned (like me) and prefer to type or tap, you still need to jot something down or scribble a quick note every now and then. This retractable and refillable pen comes from a trusted brand; it's their newest edition and it writes soooo smoothly. It is available in a choice of colors, but I'm currently loving the sleek, matte stainless finish shown here.
PILOT PEN ACROBALL 1000, $12.42; amazon.com
So there you have it... a home workspace that doesn't take up too much space in your home. Here's the look all pulled together:
Wishing you an elegant and effortless transition to working from home.
Just don't forget to wash your hair and change clothes every once in a while!
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