I think I’m very different from many girls because growing up I never pictured the house with the white picket fence with kids running in the yard. I’ve always pictured Bill and I sort of living in a cute little apartment in a city somewhere. I imagined it to have a nice kitchen and some hardwood floors, maybe a few brick walls. The apartment would not have a lot of a space, just enough for us to live in. Eventually we’d upgrade to buying an apartment where there’s room for a few kids.

The one thing I have imagined very clearly is the style. I always pictured it to be a little bit of modern shabby chic with accents that all look slightly homemade and nothing too perfect or matchy. As the time for us to pick out our first shared abobe is nearing by the day, I’ve been trying to put some concrete styles together. I’ve decided to start with the home office because as I’m going to be finishing my Masters this summer and then probably doing a fair amount of work from home, a home office space is definitely a necessity. Because we’ll likely be living in a tiny little apartment somewhere, my “home office” may end up being just a corner in our bedroom or living room, but it needs a little style anyway! I tend to work best in areas that are clean, yet well decorated. Even growing up in my parents’ house, I always spent the most time decorating the little laminate desk in my room because it was really hard to get motivated to do American Lit papers if my surroundings weren’t pleasant. Ultimately, when it comes to my future home office, I need simplicity, organization and inspiration!

Simplicity

Simplicity is vital for me to get things done. If I have too much to distract me I will accomplish absolutely nothing. This means one picture frame instead of three, no need for a rainbow color scheme and ultimately trying to keep things to the bare minimum without being sparse. I adore this home office space because the desktop has all of the essentials (read: computer, pens, light) and a few things to give it character. I love having my little Eiffel tower on my nightstand or desk because it reminds me of a happy time. Organization

Part of keeping things simple is making sure that everything has a space. While my bedroom may not always look clean, everything really does have a specific place where I keep it. This not only makes sure I can find that one specific sweater as I’m running late in the morning, but also means that when I clean things up and put things where they belong, there isn’t clutter in my life. Since I moved to college and began dreaming of my own personal living space, I’ve been obsessed with this room divider/shelving from IKEA.

The great thing is not only can you buy those little drawers for storage, you can use the rest for showcasing pictures, vases, books and any other thing your heart desires!

Inspiration

As I mentioned, if my work space doesn’t inspire me I’m more likely to daydream than get any actual work done. I really like the little chandelier wall decal on the first picture. I found a few online but they are a bit pricy. It will probably end up being a time when I wait for a good coupon to Hobby Lobby to come around.

What I’m Considering:

Neat looking black desk from Target (currently has a 15% off on it!). I would have to be sure the top of it has enough work space.

I like the shape of this lamp but not sold on the price (more than $70!!!) or the color. I’ll be looking for something similar at a thrift store that maybe I can paint.

I also really like this magazine rack. It would be great for adding a little color and design with brightly colored Vogues but also help me sort out my bills once I’m a real adult! It’s also pricy so maybe I’ll look for an old used one that I can paint and reuse!

What do your home offices look like? What pieces are your must haves?