desk.

A home office/desk/study often gives so little motivation for you to work at. It often consists of an old desk, a pile of filing/bills/junk mail, lots of cords, and a chair. Sounds like I should get back in to bed!

Why should your work space be boring!?

I'll share some ideas for your home office, that can be used whether you have a cupboard to work with or a whole room.


A little while ago on Better Homes and Gardens (yes, my Friday nights are generally quite uneventful) they made over a spare bedroom – it became an extra TV room, home office and spare bedroom... with lots of storage. They did all this by using a sofa bed and putting the office in the cupboard! Yes, the wardrobe became the office, and I think Tara Dennis did it quite well!

You can watch the episode here.

Here are a few other great ideas for doing up your space.

Put a plant on your desk. You can't always look out the window, but add some life to your space with a low maintenance plant. And make sure it's real. According to one website, "Having office plants can make you nearly 50 percent more creative and 40 percent more productive at work." To see the plants they recommend, visit here. I personally liked their cactus.

Succulents. Can be planted in whatever you fancy. Image: Pinterest (etsy link broken)

Snake plant. Image: Pinterest (unlinked).

Phalaenopsis Orchid. Image here.

Storage is important otherwise things get lost. For me I need an excellent mix of practicality and good looks. Get a clean look by colour matching magazine holders and making space for them. It's key that everything has it's own place so you feel organised and your space is tidy.

white on white. image here.

black. from kikki.K

gold. from country road.

clear. also country road.

Make sure you add your own personality to your space and include what's important to you!

What inspires you? What makes you happy to be there? What will help you enjoy your space? What makes you work well? For me: photos, inspiring quotes, beautiful images, candles, fresh flowers, a visual display of what I'm doing (calender or week plan), a mug of tea, and a well stocked top drawer.

I love this simple space which includes all the necessities. Image here.

A quote, printed from the internet, helps remind you what you're doing and where you're going. I find it gives me perspective. Plus if you washi it to the wall, add it to a frame, or clip it in a clipboard, it can easily be changed each week or when a new reminder is needed! Image here. 

An inspiring image always helps to lift your gaze. Maybe your favourite flowers, a past or future holiday destination, or a beautiful sunset. Something that means something to you helps. I also like to include pictures of people close to me. These also can be changed whenever you fancy. Image here.

Candles create the greatest calming mood and beautiful scents. I have recently come across this brand, Enflamme, which make beautiful candles for a good cause and the vessel can be reused as a tea cup, planter, or storage container (for your paper clips, perhaps). If you can't light a candle at work, try a reed diffuser. My favourite scent is sweet pea and jasmine by Ecoya.

You need some good things in your top drawer. I'd recommend a beautiful tea (or a few), a great lip balm, headphones, healthy snacks to keep you going, and hair ties for when you just need to get it back!

A favourite tea is Japanese Blossom by The Loose Leaf Tea House.

Splash out and get Korner Just Delight Lip Cream. Your lips will thank you!

There are a few ideas for making your desk and office space sing. I have many more! I am thinking of updating our home office/study/desk/spare bedroom/storage room/library at some stage so I'll keep you posted with any changes I make!

What do you love about your office space? Or what would you love to have?