Wednesday Perk: Home Office Inspiration

While I am in full holiday mode right now, I also can't help but start to focus on the plans I have for the new year.  We'll have a post dedicated to new year goals later this month, but I just can't wait to share some inspiration for the first big home project I have planned for 2013.  My husband and I share our second bedroom as office space, we have both of our desks in there and it works perfect that we both have our own little areas.  My husband has his area set up to his liking and regularly uses his space.  I on the other hand have failed to actually maximize and utilize my area.  Instead I have unintentionally turned it into hodgepodge storage.

Yeah, this is out of control.

However, with some personal plans I have for 2013 I really need to wrangle this space and make it both inspirational and functional.  So with that said here are some of the things I have found around the web to inspire this little home office makeover.  I also promise to share all of the before and after pictures, and tutorials on how various pieces of the project are accomplished.

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Here's a lovely, functional mail organizer from Less is More on Etsy that has me drooling.  While it's a bit pricey, it is definitely sparking ideas.

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The color, not necessarily the vases, is what I'm focused on here.  With a white desk, I think some aqua accents would be lovely and just the right pop of color to cheer me up.  There are some current organizational pieces in use that, while super functional, are simply hideous in their current state.  A quick coat of pretty paint should do the trick, however, I'll probably tone down the color just a little bit. 

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Perhaps the biggest part of this coming makeover is the plan to upholster a chair.  Currently in use is an old Ikea dining chair, which has no upholstery.  The plan is to add at the minimum an upholstered seat, however I could go crazy and turn it into something like the picture above.  While this chair is done with lovely yellow and two contrasting prints, my plan is to use the same gray and white fabric on this chair below (M actually gave me this fabric months ago, so color me shocked and excited when I saw it on this chair on YHL).

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Currently the wall above my desk is completely bare, so some sort of artwork is necessary to complete the look.  I love this print by Hoot Design Co. representing my hometown, combined with some personal photos I think this would help inspire me on those days when creativity feels blocked.

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What desktop would be complete without a few whimsical items?  At least this adorable ceramic fox also functions as a speaker, but I think I would definitely have to add a colorful owl or two to the mix as well.

         West Elm Ceramic Fox Speaker                                        West Elm St. Jude Ceramic Owls

Lastly, this little home office space must be multi-functional.  For me, this means that I need space to work when necessary, as well as the ability to serve as storage and organization for many many different things.

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   Anything from craft supplies, photography equipment, important personal documents, and of course actual work, needs to have a place to be stashed away here.  I'm still brainstorming what the perfect storage solution will be, something that won't break the bank is a must.  Perhaps a simple filing cabinet makeover like this one my friend Becca over at Gypsy Soul did will do the trick.

Do you have any decorating makeover plans to start the new year off right?