I started with this rug as my inspiration piece. I love the colors in the rug, so I used them to match my paint colors. They look so nice together!

The walls are painted Hinting Blue, and the ceiling is Waterloo (both Sherwin Williams). It’s fun to have a colored ceiling, and I love the contrast between the blues.

The built-ins are done, and I love them! They’re both beautiful and functional—the perfect combo. They’re great for organization, and I’ve added a few display items. I used 2 different IKEA products, and my contractor built them into the wall and added some trim.

See how you can do this easy DIY built-in bookshelf as seen here.

My adjustable height desks are also from IKEA. I went with white because I need a white background when looking at samples for fabric, paint, furnishings, etc.

New lighting makes a world of difference. Previously, this room had a ceiling fan with a light fixture, and it just wasn’t ideal. This new chandelier and sconces make the room so much lighter and brighter. And I love the warmth of the brass.

I ordered a new chair from Amazon. It’s super comfortable and looks great in the room.

tips for WORKING FROM HOME

To be productive when working from home, you need to start your day off right. Get ready every morning, even if you’re not planning on leaving the house. I also make my bed every day. Make a routine and stick to it!

Time-blocking is a great strategy. Every hour of the day needs to be accounted for. That includes meals, down time, and personal time, in addition to your working hours. Put everything on your calendar and stick to your schedule. If you don’t finish a task within the allotted time, set aside some time for it tomorrow. Prioritize your tasks, and more importantly, don’t forget to prioritize YOU.

Put together a dedicated workspace that inspires you and helps you focus. This might be a closed-door home office, the dining room, or a room in the basement. Whatever works best for you. Do you like a light and bright space? I know I do. Think about the colors of the space and if they inspire you. If you don’t like your space, change it! The extra effort you put into creating a workspace that’s right for you will be well worth the extra productivity you’ll have.

Take breaks, both with yourself and with others. Go out to lunch with friends on occasion. It’s important to connect with people, especially when you work alone at home all day. Make time for exercise too. This is crucial for your physical and mental well-being.

Invest in a comfortable chair. Sitting in a hard, uncomfortable chair all day is painful and not conducive to productivity. You don’t want to have a sore back at the end of every workday. And make sure you have good posture while you work!

Stay organized. Every workspace looks different, and everybody has different organizational needs. Do you have a lot of papers? Put them in a binder or filing cabinet. Do you have catalogs? Find a magazine file for them. Personally, I need everything to have a home. I have closed storage in cabinets, magazine files, and boxes. I also have open storage for items that look good seen. And I label everything, so I know exactly where to find it.

I’ve worked hard on my home office, so I’m glad I get to share with you what I’ve learned! It’s not quite finished, but it will be soon. I have a new filing cabinet that I need to assemble, and then the printer will sit on top. I’m also installing a TV on the wall between the sconces. Stay tuned for the full reveal of my office including art and décor and how I organize my built-ins.

Sources - click to shop