office

Home Office Inspiration

When we first moved into our Indy home in August, we’d originally thought my home office and craft space would be in the front room as you walk into the house. We had anticipated me staying at home with Sophie and needing to have her near while I worked. I’d envisioned a space that was light and airy with all of my craft supplies hidden behind white storage. I dreamed of having a mini desk for Sophie with easy access to her craft supplies. I would craft, photograph and write in that room while she would happily do arts & crafts beside me. I was so young and naive.

We’ve since decided that Sophie needs more than just me to learn, socialize and thrive. She’s attending a Montessori school a block away giving both of us the time we need to thrive. I thought it selfish to take up that large room on the main floor and decided I’d enjoy a more confined space for my mess. Taking the extra upstairs bedroom was exactly what I needed to feel like I belonged. I had my own space with my own stuff that I could decorate however I wanted. Although I make the majority of the design choices in our home, I know that painting pink on the wall would be shut down by my husband in any other room of the house. Which brings me to where I’m at today.

I wish I would have shared the design, building and decorating stages of our previous house but realize it’s not too late for me to share our progress on this house. I’ve got an entire office + craft room Pinterest board dedicated to designing my work space. I noticed that I was torn between having a ton of bright, happy, busy colors or simply white. When looking at the board as a whole I realized I was most drawn to the crisp feel the well organized white rooms possessed.

Home Office InspirationHome Office Inspiration

Home Office Inspiration

Home Office Inspiration

Home Office Inspiration

Swoon, right?? Here was my space when we bought this home:

Office Before

Yes, I had the white walls but it was a dingy white that had teeth and claw marks everywhere indicating they kept their dogs locked in here while they were away. It smelled like dog and was incredibly dark, despite the white walls.

Here are a couple sneak peeks of what my home office space currently looks like:

Peg Board Workspace

White Office Inspiration

White walls, check. White desk and chair, check. Pegboard, check. My work space is slowly evolving into the images I see in my head when I imagine my perfect studio. I’ll be back with the reveal once I’ve finished (and likely another to show my organization of making one room work as an office and craft studio).

What’s your work space style? Do you have a space that’s completely dedicated to you? A corner of the room with a DIY desk, your own room or even your own off site studio? Do you like having tons of inspiration up on the walls and your supplies at easy reach or do you focus better with a clean slate? I’m a bit of both as you’ll see in my office reveal.

workspace inspiration sources: photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4

8 Office Must Haves

If you have any job or hobby that requires you to sit at a desk for more than a half hour at a time, it’s a good idea to have a clear space with items that help you be more productive. For me, there are 8 office must haves.
office must haves
8 Office Must Haves
As I write here at my desk I realize the things that every functioning desk should have. Whether it be for functionality or inspiration, the staples that I like to keep at my desk are:
1. Feminine or graphic at-a-glance calendar.
2. Greenery. In this case a geometric terrarium which is low maintenance and pleasing to the eye.
3. Task lamp. I have a regular desk lamp and a directional task lamp that I use frequently (especially in the evenings when the sun is down and I’m crafting.)
4. A comfortable chair. This chair was a Christmas present to me three years ago and I love it. It’s easy to raise and lower as well as lock it so it doesn’t recline. The only downfall is the white leather. I wore new dark blue jeans on it one day and it now has some spots on the seat. Lesson learned: no new jeans on white furniture.
5. Hardy notebook. I have LOTS of notebooks for various subjects/ideas but this notebook is my favorite for blogging. I keep some tabs near by to mark specific chapters and it still looks sophisticated sitting on my desk.
6. A SWEET pencil holder. I don’t have this brass holder, but I wish I did. I try my hardest to keep my desk minimal of clutter and this holder would be perfect for anyone who does a lot of journaling. It would even be cute with colored pencils in it if you’re a doodler.
7. Your favorite pen. Mine changes every few months but I always have a Sharpie pen nearby. They have the thickness I like and don’t bleed through the page.
8. Reading glasses. Or in my case, fake red rimmed reading glasses. I have no idea why I love these but they make me feel bloggier!? I wore them to Barnes and Noble and felt like I belonged there. I’ll try them out at Starbucks next and see how that goes. In any case, you don’t necessarily need red rimmed glasses at your desk but having something (favorite scarf, lipstick, lotion etc.) you can throw on to make yourself feel good and stay focused is key.
Now I’m inspired to completely slim down my desk again. Let’s see how long it lasts. What are some must-haves for your work or home desk area?
Also, I’ve been working on a moodboard on Pinterest for my dream office/craft space. Do you have a board like this?

Follow Shelly Bergman’s board Office/Craft Room on Pinterest.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
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