Ah, the home office: for many right now, it’s our new best friend. Sure, it can be as simple as moving that old desk we’ve never had to use into an open space, but since we’re all jumping on Zoom calls left and right over here, it’s might be time to create an actual office space. So, let’s get started!
Step one of course is to choose your space. Do you have a spare corner in the kitchen, living room, or better yet- an entire room to dedicate to your new office? Regardless of your space restrictions, all you really need is room for a desk and either a blank wall or an open window in front of you. Remember that post I did a few weeks back on creating a ‘cloffice’? As many of you noticed, one thing was missing: the OFFICE space! That was on purpose, because I believe that this space really does deserve its own spotlight. It’s the space where YOU are going to be growing, creating, and building either for your own brand or for your company. It should be a space that not only fits your personality, but is pleasing enough to look at for as many hours a day as you need to sit your butt down and get to work in it.
Starting in my office, I was lucky enough to have two options so I’m going to share them both with you. Option #1 was a big blank wall, which is PERFECT for Zoom backdrops if I set up a stand that could have the desk in the background! I filled the space with one of my favorite pieces from Oliver Gal, a large gold chandelier canvas print (which you can get here). My second option was to center my desk in front of a large window overlooking our backyard where I could watch my dog play outside. While this was my favorite option and offered some great light into the room, it meant that my camera angle for those Zoom meetings could no longer have my desk behind me, as the light from the window would wash me out. So, I’d have to place whatever I was using (tripod to hold my iPhone or laptop) ON my desk so that the window was sending the light to my face rather than from behind me, which would provide GREAT lighting! However, I’d have to consider what would be behind me: my vanity. For me, that’s okay! Ultimately..I went with the window look 🙂
Now, on to the star of the post: the desk! I bought this super cute white and gold desk from Amazon to match the pink, white and gold theme I have going. Here are the three things to think about when picking out your desk:
- Know your budget. There’s no way around it: a good desk is an investment. That being said, if you’re looking for a strong piece that will last for the rest of your life, it’s going to be a pretty penny. However, if you’re just looking for something to work for now that you don’t plan to use as a forever investment, it’s likely not a good idea to spend a ton of money. A decent desk that will get the job done will likely run you between $150-200, and while you can go cheaper it will not only be a hassle to assemble (even mine was a challenge!), but it also may barely feel it can hold the weight of what you need it to.
- Know your needs. Many may just need desk space to have a solid Zoom backdrop-and that’s TOTALLY fine! I specifically picked a desk that had at least one drawer as I do have some stationary, files, and notes that I don’t necessarily want causing clutter. That’s key to consider: Do you need a lot of storage space? If not, don’t worry if you fall head over heels in love with something without drawer space. If so, make sure you use a filter when searching to include storage space (if the website allows it).
- Know your style. Are you someone who likes a modern workspace, or more chic? Are you traditional, or rustic? If you don’t know, now is the time to find out. The best way to learn about your style is to simply use Pinterest or Google to look up “office space”. Pick several that you like, and see what the described style is. Once you see a common theme, you’ll begin to identify your style. You can then search “modern desk”, “glam desk”, or more!
Once I had picked out mine based on those specifications, the setup was…well..an experience (and there may have been a few times I yelled out, ‘THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!’) but I felt SUCH a sense of accomplishment when I finished finally putting it together myself. Trust me: if I can do it, you can, too!
Once you have your desk picked out, think about what you’ll need. Do you need a filing system? A mousepad so you don’t scratch the desk? A cupholder for pens? Do you need certain accent pieces to accomplish a specific look? Dive into research on what you need, and get after it! While stores like TJ Maxx & Christmas Tree Shop were my go-to for these things, I’ve learned to lean on online shopping more to explore Pier 1, Target, and Etsy. Here is how mine turned out!
Decor links:
Emmalyn Reid 