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How Can You “Remote It” in Style? Follow these must-have decorating tips for your home office
Design & Decor | PUBLISHED 09.20.21 | Courtney Tannler
All we seem to hear about these days is remote work and telecommuting. With a great many of us working either partially or completely from home, a versatile, productive, yet tasteful office space is more essential than ever. Designing a room can be intimidating — especially if the room is one you’ll be spending most of your time. You’ll want to make it a pleasant yet productive space, but if you break the process down into these easy to manage steps, you’ll find it to be much easier — and more fun!
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Step 1: Choose the right space
Remember all those high school study tips telling you to stop doing your homework in bed? While it might sound appealing with your new opportunity to spend more time in the comfort of your home, your guidance counselor was right. Mixing work and relaxation messes with your body’s ability to distinguish between the two, so it’s best to opt for a space other than your bedroom to get your daily grind on.
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Step 2: Create a blank canvas
Once you’ve chosen your ideal location, it’s essential to clear out the space. In other words, make a blank canvas for yourself. If the area is cluttered, remove everything. Start fresh so you can add some spice to your designated workspace-to-be and make it a more pleasant place.
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Step 3: Pick a few simple key items you like
Shop. Browse some antique and vintage desks or some mid century modern desk chairs ... something clean and elegant to take care of your office furniture essentials. Pick these items first and go from there.
Shown Top to Bottom, Left to Right:
Theodore Alexander Tintagel Desk 170409
Lillian August Neoclassical Desk For Restoration Or Paint Project 184657
Lacquered Chinese Chippendale Style Desk 178593
Modern Farmhouse White Writing Desk 184665
Stunning English William IV Style Mahogany 6 Drawer Partners Writing Table - 184839 184839
Country French Style Walnut Desk 178244
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Choose some versatile pieces with drawers, etageres (shelves), filing cabinet space, and other creative ways to store your supplies and keep a clean workspace.
Shown Top to Bottom, Left to Right:
Pair of Wood Storage Cabinets with Galss Shelves 125170
Contemporary Four Shelf Etagere 174812
Mid Century Open Etagere 88391
Fantastic Contemporary Etagere 174811
Art Nouveau Brass Narrow Etagere with Opaline Shleves 182376
Lacquer Painted Console And Curio From Kindel Furniture 150369
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Step 4: Decorate
This is the fun part. Get creative! Bring your personality into the space. Browse some unique vintage items that align with the look you’re going for.
Throw some cool framed posters or other unique decorative works of art and paintings on the wall. Leave the more risque posters or works of art facing your desk, not behind it — you’ll want to be sure to have a professional Zoom background for all those online meetings.
Shown Top to Bottom, Left to Right:
Royal Bugatti Auction Poster From Christie's London 164109
Vintage Gallery Poster for Cynthia Smith Stibolt Exhibition in NY 180808
Oversized MET Exhibit Poster Featuring Artwork By F. Leger 178525
Framed Bourjois Soir De Paris Perfume Advertising Poster 184627
Rare Jasper Johns (Amer., 1930 -), “Map 1961” Tel Aviv Museum Original Exhibition Poster 182961
1989 Marvel Comics “Rogue” Promotional Poster 175079
Original 1947 Framed Poster for Elegance Niclolas Wine 132231
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Find a cute vintage mug to keep your pens organized in a stylish and fun way.
Shown Top to Bottom, Left to Right:
Vintage German Rounded Glass Beer Steins With Hinged Brass Lids 183953
19th Century English Pewter Quart Tankard With Brass Rim 161146
Round Art Glass Vase 150372
Group Of 3 Ballard Designs Metallic Jardinnieres 176939
Fun Pair Of English Pewter Mugs 176964
George III Sterling Chalice, Ca. 1812 58314
Stunning Deep Red Murano Art Glass By Seguso Vetri D'Arte 157638
Group Of Blue And White Porcelain Mugs 176008
18th Century Hand Painted Chinese Export Mug With A Double Twist Handle 161867
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Don't forget some vintage desk accessories.
Shown Top to Bottom, Left to Right:
Blue And White Porcelain Desk Set, Made In Japan, 6 Piece 156621
Vintage Tooled Leather Desk Set 88575
An Ornate Pieced Brass Letter Holder 140755
Chinese Ebonized Chinoiserie Letter Holder 138810
Beautiful Sevres Double Porcelain Inkwell 169270
Antique Tiffany Studios Three Piece Desk Set- "Spanish Pattern" 69614
Be sure to remember rugs / mats and lighting (desk lamps and overhead lighting fixtures) are key to pulling your look together.
Have some fun!
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Step 5: Organize… and stay organized
As this is a space in which you’ll be spending a lot of time, it’s important to keep it as manageable and clutter-free as possible. Set a time each week to go through your desk and make sure everything is where it needs to be. Take care of any piles of paper and disorganized files. Use a vintage art deco era letter holder to decoratively organize any important mail or files. You want to look forward to going to work each day — and having a cluttered space will just do the opposite. Sometimes decluttering is easier said than done, but it's always well worth the small effort.
Where can you find a fabulous mix of modern, vintage, and antique home office furniture and decorative accessories? Whether your design aesthetic is chic, boho, eclectic, traditional or anything else, online auction houses and estate sale companies are a great resource for unique home office furniture and decor, as are traditional estate liquidators. Featuring an ever-changing supply of inventory -- depending on the properties they acquire, secondary markets have a steady supply of options. If you don't see what you're looking for today, definitely keep checking back. Remember, this is where patience and stick-to-it-tiveness can really pay-off.
Keywords: home office, telecommuting, remote work, work from home, home office, office furniture, vintage desk, mid century desk, desk chair, vintage desk chair, desk accessories, desktop accessories, framed poster, vintage poster, works of art, work of art, wall art