Since we’re moving our work area into the new office / playroom / guest room (read more about that here and here) I figured I’d give my old work space one last hurrah in the form of a four-part makeover. Just for fun.
From a potted plant to a scented candle, many people have different preferences when it comes to their home office must-haves. And of course everyone has a different organizational needs as well, so it’s always interesting to ponder what systems and approaches will work for people in both the form and the function department. So when I decided to have some fun adding different accessories to achieve a few different takes on my modestly sized home office- I brought in some just for looks and some for usability and organization. Of course the only person’s needs I was trying to meet were my own (and I’m a pretty chill girl) but it was still a fun little adventure none the less. And there was one rule: no spending a dime. So I just played around with the items I already had. Because who doesn’t love a free desk makeover?
So now that you’ve seen what my desk looks like most of the time (above), let’s get to the little tweaks I had fun playing around with for a few new takes on my basic parsons desk (and some new function as well).
When it came to arrangement number one I was all about fresh spring color:
I added a cheerful little potted plant that I snagged a while back for $2 (including the chic turquoise ceramic pot!) along with a pretty pink vase full of pencils and a cute blue ceramic fish (purchased on clearance from Target two years ago). Brightly colored books stacked on top of our modem hiding boxes topped by a cardboard rhinoceros (10 points for a bit of office whimsy) completed the look. And we can’t forget the colorful coaster and handy notebook paired with a brightly colored pen and green mini scissors.
So the basic needs that this arrangement met were:
- A place to put an ice cold beverage without worrying that it’ll sweat all over my paperwork
- A notebook, pen and small scissors at arm’s reach
- A ceramic fish and a cardboard rhino (ok, so these aren’t needs as much as cheerful little smile-inducing desk pals)
- A plant to provide fresh air and a bit of life (they’re one of my favorite things to gaze at when I’m not staring at my computer screen)
- A place to wrangle a bunch of pens or pencils (a colorful vase is a fun departure from hiding them away in a desk drawer)
Then there was desk arrangement numero dos. And this time it was less about pops of spring color and more about chic and layered metallics.
Storage was the name of the game here, so I added two pretty capiz boxes (along with some ceramic birds for good measure) and three gold cubes introduced even more concealed stash space. Two glass votive holders full of office supplies (one full of paperclips and one full of staples) were added along with my reading glasses and my trusty notebook. And a scented vanilla candle along with my homemade reed diffuser (which is actually just made from store-bought skewers in a vase full of watered down lemon verbena Mrs. Meyers soap- more DIY details here) upped the smells-so-good factor.
So the basic needs that this arrangement met were:
- A ton of boxes to hide bills, notes, receipts, office supplies and other paper clutter
- A notebook (along with some paperclips and staples) at arm’s reach
- A clean, all-natural, and flame free scent to enjoy while I work away thanks to the DIY reed diffuser
- A scented soy candle for a bit of flickering ambiance if the mood strikes
- Ceramic birds (what can I say? I just like having little faux friends at my desk in case I get lonely)
Set up number three was all about beachy accents (which tied right in with the homemade palm leaf botanical that we have framed above the desk).
So a beachy blue vase full of dried hydrangeas along with a faux clam shell, a shell ball, a capiz storage box, some faux coral and some sea glass-looking votives injected a bit of ocean ambiance. And of course the blue books stacked on those Ikea storage boxes along with the blue glass cup full of pencils and my notebook topped with a faux urchin and starfish hammered home the whole beachy vibe.
And what exactly did I decide to use the faux clam shell to contain?
A slew of paperclips along with my reading glasses and a pen. Gotta love something so cute and practical (I like my faux clam shells like I like my men…).
So the basic needs that this arrangement met were:
- A large capiz box to hide bills, notes, receipts, etc
- A notebook (along with some paperclips and my glasses) at arm’s reach
- Two sweet flickering candles for added chill-factor
- A pretty glass cup to house pens or pencils
My fourth arrangement was all about natural accents with texture to spare.
So I brought in an easy care plant in a textured Ikea planter along with a woven cup full of pencils and a frame with a big textured burlap mat (paired with a smaller round capiz one for a bit of layered interest). Then I just added my favorite leather journal (which also doubles as a great place to jot down notes in a pinch) and the ceramic egg crate that I snagged over five years ago back when I lived in NYC.
I really liked the layered woven cup and the cork-ish planter paired with the burlap-matted frame. And I think the egg crate was my favorite detail of all.
See, instead of using it to store my jewelry (which I’ve done since I grabbed it back in NYC at Crate & Barrel), I thought it would be fun to take it for a spin as a desk supply organizer of sorts. It easily contained paperclips, push pins, safety pins, staples and even stamps that are usually tucked away in a drawer. And it looked pretty charming while doing it. Especially since I added one more naturally inspired addition: four wood block letters that spell out the word love (we snagged those a while back at a DC flea market).
So the basic needs that this arrangement met were:
- An easy on the eyes (and air purifying) house plant to add some freshness and life
- A ceramic egg crate turned office supply caddy
- A nearby notebook for jotting things down
- A woven glass cup for holding pens or pencils at arm’s reach
- Two picture frames (featuring the “people” I love most) for a bit of morale boosting charm
And there you have it. One desk arranged in four different ways to meet my very basic blogging needs (and provide lots of not-real animal friends for my admittedly odd enjoyment). Of course set-ups like these might not work for an architect who needs space to spread out (or for anyone else who isn’t accustomed to working in a tiny corner of their den) but they definitely made me want to sit down and get my bill-pay on.
I must admit that I don’t even really know which one I like best, so I’d love to hear which setup you guys prefer. Does the punchy spring arrangement do it for you? Are you partial to the understated metallic setup? Is the beachy vibe your fave? Or do you prefer the natural and textural approach? And while we’re on the subject of desks, what’s your must-have home office item? Whether it’s an über functional system or just a smile-inducing good luck charm we’d love to know what you gaze at when you sit down to pay bills or google yourself. Do tell.
Psst- Itching for more desk advice? Read more about how we hide our cords and how we stash and store everything from files to receipts.
Christina says
I loved number one at first with the punch of blue but number three is my favorite! I LOVE that shell holding paper clips and your glasses! SO cute!
Ashley @ The Design Thief says
I am definitely in favor of the first one, with all of the pops of blue and the place to put your ice cold drink. I love the idea of doing a seasonal makeover using the things that you already have!
Susanne N. says
i am all about the ocean, so naturally, that one is my favorite. there is just something so peaceful, natural, organic about ocean decor–i just love it!
Lauren says
I love all of those arrangements! So simple and classic yet very functional! I was wondering, I love your ceramic egg crate and found one on amazon for really cheap and I was wondering all the different ways you’ve used (or thought of using) yours. I saw you’ve also used it for your jewelry box but wondered if any other ideas have popped up?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Lauren,
It’s just a great little storage system, so you could use it to wrangle anything from buttons and sewing supplies to office things, jewelry, gift ribbons and bows, or even actual eggs in your fridge (that would be so charming and quaint). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jessica @ How Sweet says
I love the ceramic egg crate – definitely need get one of those.
Liz @ Bon Temps Beignet says
Love them all! A few weeks ago I ‘shopped’ around our house to revamp a corner of our living room. It originally had 2 hand-me-down side tables that had been just sitting there unused for almost 2 years. Boring. So I yanked em and replaced them with my hubby’s massage chair (it’s not one of those hideous ones) and topped it with a pillow and a throw. Our friends came over later that day and
their five year old daughter walked in and stopped in her tracks, jaw dropped and eyes wide open. She turns to me and says ‘What happened to the tables? I like this!’ I think she’s a decorater in the making. Ah, a girl after my own heart.
Joy says
My favorite is number 4. I love the natural elements. I love anything with burlap or cork. Plus, I love your glasses with the woven covers. I have looked everywhere for me a set.
YoungHouseLove says
Joy- We got our set from Sur La Table on clearance, but we’ve also seen similar versions at HomeGoods, Marshalls and TJ Maxx. Hope it helps!
Liz- Hysterical. Love it!
xo,
s
Erika says
My favorite is the “as-is”; I’m partial to that little pink vase! But it was fun to see how you could change it up.
Jessie (Vegan-minded) says
I love them all! But seriously, I think the last one with the natural accents is m favorite. I’m such a sucker for corks and woven materials. And the egg crate is an added bonus! :)
Jenn says
LOVE the ocean inspired set-up. So tranquil! I am actually in the market for a new desk and wondered where yours is from?
YoungHouseLove says
It’s from West Elm- and they still sell it! It was a wedding gift (and one of our favorites at that!).
xo,
s
Carmen says
Love the ideas! I find my desk so small and plain and boring. I have some work to do, but with your ideas it will all change. Just to compare notes, does your desk have drawers and how big is it? I am looking for a new office desk and wonder how small is too small and what is a comfortable sized desk? Thanks and awesome post. Bye.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Carmen,
Here’s the link to our desk where you can check out the size and the two skinny drawers that it has.
Hope it helps!
xo,
s
carmen says
Thanks so much. Do you find it large enough for all your office needs?
Denise says
Is your beloved parsons desk moving into the new home office or will it be staying in your den? If that space in the den opens up, does Clara have first dibs on it for her accessories? A girl has gotta have her things!
YoungHouseLove says
Carmen- I do but I’m a low maintenance girl. I keep a lot of files in other places (follow the link at the bottom of the post for more info) so the two shallow drawers along with some desktop storage containers (like the boxes and tins) totally work for me. It’s all about personal preference though- some people want deep file drawers and a lot more surface area.
Denise- Only time will tell! Stay tuned for more office updates where we’ll spill the beans as we go…
Ali- That’s a Devi Kroell purse from Target (back when they carried her line last year). Maybe you can find it on ebay?
xo,
s
Elizabeth says
All are fabulous! Thanks for the helpful hints on how to use random things around the house to spice things up (your specialty!).
My favorite is the punchy, colorful scheme. So fresh!
ali says
Totally unrelated to the office, but I really like the purse hanging over the chair in some of the pictures. Where did you find that?
Cheryl says
like number one the best — seems simpler to me, more serene. I like a ‘clean, well-lit’ place to work and focal points that give me room to breathe. The pops of turquoise do that for me and a little whimsy (the fish and rhino) are an added surprise. I would probably delete items from number one but keep the overall theme and feel.
The West Elm desk is a winner, reflects light (even the sky in my study), clean lines, just enough storage will encourage anyone to keep it simple.
Jill Stigs says
OMG, love them all……..but that beachy one, swoon!
Can’t wait to see the new office digs.
Jessica @ Happy Semi-Homemaker says
The pop of fresh spring color is just so refreshing!
marybeth @ www.babygoodbuys.com says
Love, love, love the egg crate. I just bought one at Anthropologie a few weeks ago!
Allison says
My favorite is the beachy theme, especially this time of year. I can’t wait to get done with work so I can go re-organize my desk at home! Thanks for all your inspiration!
{The Classy Woman} says
Love each mini makeover. :) My favorite was the beach inspired one! You know I’ve been to Ikea twice looking for those white boxes and I don’t think they sell that size anymore. They have flat ones but they are huge! I guess they discontinued them.
~Karla
YoungHouseLove says
Really?? That’s sad! Here’s hoping they bring them back…
xo,
s
Jen says
I love the beachy setup! Maybe because it is so rainy here and I am craving warm weather :)
amelia says
love them all. Seriously can’t just pick one – i love all the the objects that are really necessities but that bring whimsy and happiness to your office space – my favs include the rhino, the ceramic birds, the cermaic egg thingy & clamshell and the picture frames!
quick question…where did all the links go on the right? is it just me or have they disappeared?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Amelia,
We actually just moved them to the second box on the sidebar that looks like the search box- the one with our picture on it. If you click the tab that says “Link Love” you’ll find the full list there. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
amelia says
ps. love the new “see pics of clara” addition! she’s such a cutie :-)
Jacquelyn says
My vote goes to the one with the Rhino. :)
Vicki says
The first one! I love the color.
Emily says
I love them all! Great inspiration, as always. I cannot wait to have my own office space!
Gabie says
MAINE ME!!!
jennifer f says
awesome…I love how you take something like a desk and show it different ways so that regardless of your style, you can take these ideas and make them work for your house. We actually have the opposite problem…we have an entire office room in our house. It has a nice set of white bookshelves and a little desk built into the back wall, and then in the center we have my regular office max kinda desk (with deep drawers, etc). It’s really my hubby’s “man room” aka a big mess!!!! Im dying to find ways to make it look cute and organized, since I have a better hope of changing the room than changing the man :-) Our biggest issue, or his, is mail! He goes through his mail like once a month and it just piles up. Any cute ideas to organize it so it doens’t just look like a giant mess on top of the desk?
YoungHouseLove says
Boxes, bins, baskets, even magazine racks- the solutions are endless! Just google around for “mail systems” for some inspiration. Or visit Ikea, Home Goods, Target or other places like that to see what might work. The key is to identify what you need first (do you need a spot for bills to pay and another spot for magazines?). Just figure out what you need to store and sort and pick up items to do just that. Good luck!
xo,
s
Sophie says
I’m all about the fourth arrangement, I think the texture is easiest on the eye.
I don’t have a system for my desk, despite knowing and telling myself multiple times a day that I should.
I have a white box (like a taller version of yours) for CD’s, a cutlery holder from Ikea which I added new life to with bright buttons to hold my pens and pencils. I’ve got jars of buttons and ribbons, a ceramic pot for all my loose change, random pieces of jewelery, a photo of my friends and I from prom, a small mirror and even a painted wooden camel.
I’m more of a ‘remember where you put everything last time you used it because nothing has an actual place’ kinda girl (:
sg says
um..and the Mac was updated since the before picture as well! I don’t know about you, but I think the shiny metallic body is definitely a design upgrade from the white plastic one! Just thought I’d at that to the list for you! Love it! Thanks for all of the great info.
YoungHouseLove says
SG,
Haha, yeah the iBook was a good little pal for over half of a decade, but alas when we started editing videos and getting more code-heavy with the blog we needed something with a bit more “beef” – and the new MacBook does the trick!
xo,
s
Kelly says
Sherry, This may have been covered in another post or comment, but I was wondering what you are doing with the basement/office you re-did a while back. I believe you turned the basement into an office specifically because you found out you were pregnant and were going to have to make a nursery. Are you still planning on using that room or are you re-doing it again into something else?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kelly,
Alas, our basement isn’t heated or cooled, and since it’s a separate entry space (we need to walk outside and down some stairs to get to it) it’s not the most convenient thing in the world. But we’re so glad we have that space for added storage (especially since babies = tons of stuff!). We just added that desk area so when we’re down there we can sort through boxes without squatting on the floor- it really does come in handy (and we never meant for it to serve as an actual office). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
elle sees says
I love the punchy colors and the beach. Kudos for being creative and not spending any moola!
jamie says
YHLers I’m craving more art in your shop :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Jamie! If only there were more hours in the day!
xo,
s
Kristin says
Hi,
I like number three most because of all the beachy accessoires, but the best about this post is really that you can adapt a desk and change its style so easily.
By the way – I cannot see a “pics of clara” link anywhere – in fact, I can’t even see your sponsors on the sidebar.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kristin,
That’s odd! Maybe it’s a cacheing problem? What browser are you using to view our site (internet explorer, firefox, safari?). Here’s hoping it catches up automatically (you can try restarting your computer or even rebooting your internet connection). Is anyone else having an issue viewing our sidebar?
xo,
s
Kristin says
Hi,
I just figured out myself, it was a problem with one of my firefox add-ons. (Firefox 3.6.3, Ubuntu Linux)
YoungHouseLove says
Whew. So glad to hear it Kristin!
xo,
s
oneida says
#3 is my fav! looks like it’s a lot of other people’s too. i think it’s important to have such a relaxing and natural setting to do your work in or else you can get sucked into the vortex of the computer. you guy should do designing for people who work in cubicles and offices :) i don’t work in one and i’m so glad but my sister goes stir crazy in hers.
Molly says
I think my favorite is the first one with all the fresh spring color, but that’s probably because I’m a sucker for bright colors! But number 4 came in a close second with all the fabulous natural textures and that AMAZING ceramic egg crate. I remember seeing that in one of your posts about the master closet make-over and I admired it then. I really need to get myself one of those!
Amanda says
#3 is my favourite! I love everything beachy. I’m really excited we get to see an office makeover on your site. I’ve always been a really big fan of seeing what everyone’s workspace looks like.
Christine says
Love the canisters, where did you get them??
YoungHouseLove says
Ikea! Hope it helps.
xo,
s
Carrie says
Love the first one! FYI about the egg crates…I found a look-alike one at JoAnns Fabric around Easter time this year for $5. The cashier said they usually get them every year. They had green, yellow and white. :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip Carrie! So good to know.
xo,
s
Carmen says
Hi guys. Just wanted to leave you a note and say a big thanks. I came across a post where you talked about layering your photos. It works and its great and I am SUPER excited. Yayyyyy! Have a good one.
Nichole@40daysof says
I love all your styling tips, but I want to see the new office!!!
http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/the-back-porch-back-from-the-dead/
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Nichole,
So do we! Unfortunately we’re just getting started on that space’s big makeover. We do plan to keep everyone posted in real-time, but sadly it’s not going to be done in half an hour like those HGTV makeover shows. Stay tuned…
xo,
s
Patti says
Love the little extra something the scarf/sweater/bag over the chair adds to all your different ideas. This post reminds me of an article I saw recently by Nate Berkus re: using what you already have; he suggests from time to time gather all your accessories and art from around the house and put it all out on a table to see what you’ve got. This way you can easily see how different things will work together, whereas when things are all over the house, it’s harder to imagine (for those of us like myself with limited imagination).
Alissa says
Side note (not about this post) but your blogroll links have vanished.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Alissa,
We actually just moved them to the second box on the sidebar that looks like the search box- the one with our picture on it. If you click the tab that says “Link Love” you’ll find the full list there. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Nannie says
I have been curious about your decision-making process in where to locate your new office area. Since you already have three seating areas (living room, den, sun porch), and only one guest room, which you still want to be able to use as a guest room, why not put the office area in the den?
I’m so looking forward to the development of your office because I need to re-work ours with three desk areas.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Nannie,
We definitely considered those rooms but we wanted a nice separation between “work” and “play” so we worried that placing our office in an open area where we hang out (near the kitchen, the yard, and all the other casual and relaxing areas in our house) would keep us from closing the door (since there aren’t any doors in that part of the house) and shutting down our work day at a decent hour. So by moving the office to the other side of the house (in a room with a door) we knew we’d appreciate the division between the fun, relaxing part of our house and the all-business space across the way. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Christine says
“I like my faux clam shells like I like my men…” Haha, this is the cutest quote EVER!
Heather says
Hello there! I keep trying to get up the courage to knock out my mess of a desk as well as surrounding area. It’s like my piles are doubling on the floor once I run out of room on my desk…yikes! Thanks for the inspiration to take back control, ha! PS It made my week last week when you 2 blogging celebs came and commented on my blog, so thanks! :)
Heather @ http://www.savingmoneylivinglife.com
Linda says
I love all 4 looks! I think #3 is just slightly my most preferred. :)
Alissa says
Yep, just found those links! Thanks!