Home Office Decorating - Combine Style & Function

Whether your home office takes care of everyday family business or is an income-generating work space, you'll be more productive in a comfortable, well-decorated and organized space that enhances mood and creativity. Combine function with style and you will look forward to spending time in a home office that invites you to think, read, create and work in stress-free, efficient style.

Open Up Storage Options with Open Shelving

Some creative types prefer an overloaded desk, but in most cases disorganized piles of paper and folders are inefficient and stress-inducing. Instead of keeping everything on your desk and wasting time looking for whatever it is that you need, install open shelves above that span the full width of the desk. Wood shelves on brackets - either wood or wrought iron - give you lots of style options since the shelving can be painted or stained as desired. Stylish boxes and basket will help you organize by project and keep your supplies neatly at hand.

Add and Repeat Color

Storage bins, boxes, folders, dividers and other office supplies come in every color of the rainbow. Pick a color scheme and continue it throughout the room, echoing the accent colors in your choice of supplies and organizational items. Let a framed print or wall hanging dictate your palette. Bright color accents in the office will energize and inspire so feel free to add deep colors like teal blue, paprika red or sunshine yellow in pops of color that flow throughout the room against a neutral backdrop. Don't overlook your comfort - a large floor cushion or ottoman to prop up your feet, a desk lamp, chair cushions and throw pillows are all items that can echo and coordinate your color choices.

Create Style and Storage on a Budget

? Wicker and fabric covered boxes can be found at reasonable prices from discount stores, but if you can't find exactly what you want, make them yourself to get a custom look at a budget price. Recover budget boxes with adhesive shelf liner, wallpaper remnants or fabric to create a look that accurately presents your style. You can also paint plain storage containers with latex wall primer and wall paint or latex craft paint. Consider buying sample containers of paint instead of craft paint bottles. Samples are larger and cheaper than craft size containers, but not so large that you will have large containers of leftover paint.

? Instead of typical plastic pen and pencil holders, shop garage sales for small vases, mason jars, old jewelry boxes and lidded containers that can hold writing instruments, craft items, and small office supplies like paper clips and rubber bands with style and personality.

? Lidded letter trays that can be stacked and labeled are as efficient as standard plastic or metal trays but look far more stylish. Flea markets and antique stores may have old fashioned wood trays, some with lids or hinged doors, which can sit on a desktop and add a touch of classic nostalgia. If you're the type who prefers handwritten notes, lists and letters, invest in an old-fashioned slant-top writing desk that sits on top of a table, desk or your lap, and write to your heart's content curled up on a upholstered chair by a window in your newly-decorated home office.