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5 simple ways to upgrade your home office

February 18, 2016

Upgrade your home office by adding a live plant or two. More decorating tips on A Girl Named PJ.

After months of working from the living room sofa, the dining room table, and select local coffee shops, I finally realized in December that I needed a dedicated office space in our home. I couldn’t have a room of my own since our townhouse doesn’t have any to spare, but there was an unused wall in our basement begging to be turned into an office nook.

Working with The Land of Nod, I picked desks, bookcases, and chairs that I could share with my four-year-old son, Levi. He takes his art very seriously and wanted a place to “work” just like mommy. So cute, right? Eventually, I’ll let Asa have my desk, but he’s not quite old enough to need a proper workspace yet.

But there’s more than just furniture to a stylish office. When it came time to decorate, I learned that there are many ways to upgrade your home office. Read on for 5 easy tips that’ll take your workspace from standard to chic.

A fragrant candle is an easy way to upgrade your home offie, especially if your desk is in the basement. Get more decorating tips on A Girl Named PJ.

1. Set the mood with a candle. Candles are the easiest way to add a decorative and fragrant touch to your home office. I also love the idea of a candle-lighting ritual every time you sit at your desk to get you in the mindset to work. Anthropologie has some of the prettiest and best-smelling candles, including this cut-work candle and this patterned candle tin. PS: Don’t forget matches!

Desk in the basement? Upgrade your home office with these decorating tips from A Girl Named PJ.

2. Add some greenery. Studies have shown that working in an office with plants can help reduce blood pressure, lessen stress, and increase productivity. Plus, it’s just nice to have a bit of nature nearby when your home office is in a basement. For smaller plants, I’m digging these small clay urns and this hanging pot from Terrain.

Share a workspace with your child? Here are 5 ways to upgrade your home office on A Girl Named PJ.

3. Make a statement with wallpaper. When you work from home, you can use all of the energy boosts you can get — and there’s just something so energizing about a patterned wall, isn’t there? I’m so grateful to Chasing Paper for sending me several rolls of their removable wallpaper for my home office makeover. While The Land of Nod desks and bookcases looked fantastic on their own, the geometric star pattern took the space to the next level.

Framed art is an easy way to upgrade a home office. Learn more ways to decorate your desk on A Girl Named PJ.

4. Frame some artwork. Sure, you could use washi tape to secure small prints and postcards to the wall, but hanging framed artwork makes a room feel more finished. This framed Minted print was actually hanging in our dining room before I realized that my workspace’s blue and white color palette was begging for a pop of orange. This abstract and this birthstone print could also work in my space — and maybe yours, too?

A shared mother-and-son workspace gets a major makeover. Learn 5 ways to upgrade your home office on A Girl Named PJ.

Upgrade your home office with personal touches like favorite postcards and motivational quotes. Get more decorating ideas from A Girl Named PJ!

5. Introduce decorative objects. Once you’ve organized your pens, notebooks, and paperclips, it’s time to add a bit of flair. When my friend Jeran suggested I add something gold to my workspace, I hightailed it to Target and picked up this metallic sheep figurine. It may seem totally random, but I’m an Aries, so I think it works! You could also try decorating with chic bookends or a geometric sculpture.

5 ways to upgrade your home office on A Girl Named PJ

Would you try any of these easy ways to upgrade your home office? Tell me about your workspace. If you work from home do you have a dedicated workspace or do you curl up on the couch with your laptop? Or does your job happen in a corner office or cubicle?

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I’m sharing more photos of my home office makeover, plus additional details about Levi’s side of the workspace, over on The Land of Nod‘s blog, Honest to Nod. Please check it out!

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11COMMENTS | Home

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Let’s Discuss

  1. Sarah

    February 19, 2016 at 1:31 am

    So gorgeous! Love every last detail but my favorite thing has got to be that wallpaper! You are the one who inspired my wallpaper behind shelving look. Well done!

    Reply
    • PJ

      February 25, 2016 at 2:10 pm

      And the look totally works in both of our spaces! What a difference wallpaper makes, right? xx

      Reply
  2. Rachel Hinderliter

    February 19, 2016 at 8:52 am

    Wow PJ this is gorgeous!!! I absolutely love the side by side desks and the wallpaper and prints! So beautiful!!!

    Reply
    • PJ

      February 25, 2016 at 2:10 pm

      Thanks, Rachel! I haven’t done many projects in our new home and I’m really pleased with how this turned out.

      Reply
  3. Marlene @ Idle Hands Awake

    February 19, 2016 at 6:11 pm

    This is just beautiful! I love that you created a space that Asa can share but that is still totally “adult” and you! Hope you two are enjoying it!

    Reply
    • PJ

      February 25, 2016 at 2:09 pm

      I’m so thrilled to hear you say that because my goal was to create a space that was kid-friendly but not “childish”. Thanks!

      Reply
  4. Loren

    February 23, 2016 at 10:32 pm

    Gorgeous office! I am obsessed with that wallpaper! 🙂

    xo Loren
    http://www.thinkelysian.com

    Reply
    • PJ

      February 25, 2016 at 2:08 pm

      So am I! xx

      Reply
  5. Haeley Giambalvo

    February 24, 2016 at 9:26 am

    Fantastic office makeover! I just love it! The wallpaper, the art, the color of the chairs – everything!

    Reply
    • PJ

      February 25, 2016 at 2:08 pm

      Thank you! It’s a happy coincidence that the teal chairs matched the wall clock we already had.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. DIY Cork Projects + Favorite Finds No. 83 - Shrimp Salad Circus says:
    February 26, 2016 at 9:49 am

    […] simple upgrades to make everyday work feel a little more […]

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