Gimme all the Gold
So this one might be a bit of a personal preference — maybe silver is your fave — but I love how gold can both warm up and add chic vibes to a room all at once.
Gold is a warmer metal, so though its metallic it still feels cozy and comfortable vs silver which tends to feel more cold and sleek.
where to add some metallic accents:
For my office, I added gold accents via the desk drawer knobs and legs that I painted gold (I still need to do the chair lets, don’t look 
), my gold desk lamp, the inside of my hanging lamp shade, and a few gold accessories here and there.
Do Dual Desks
This mostly applies to people who do creative work where there are either bunches of brainstorming or some hands-on aspects.
Also, if your office is basically in a closet (its a cloffice and its chic 
), you probably don’t have room for two actual desks, but you can still apply this concept, stay tuned.
Having two desks will help boost your productivity by giving you a physical space to get in the zone.
I have a “tech desk” that is home to my computer and not much else and a second desk (actually a huge Ikea kitchen island that I made into a table, but we’ll get to that in the reveal) that is a tech-free zone for creativity, ideas, and distraction-free brainstorming.
why 2 desks will make you more productive
You might not struggle to stay focused, but as a creative, I have a 1,000 ideas going through my head and frequently drift off to start on the newest one when the last is barely begun.
I created a physical space that forces me to be focused and get in the zone —whether I’m doing computer work, creating content, or editing images at my computer desk or making things, brainstorming, and dreaming at my tech-free workspace.
Accent Wall for the Win
When a room has four walls that are the same color or texture, it feels like (and is) a box.
Adding in an accent wall helps to break up the space and make it look less boxy and boring. I fully embraced this concept and gave myself two accent walls — a black and white dotted print and big bold stripes.
get the look:
I used some peel-and-stick wallpaper that is removable just in case I get sick of it and need a change – but this is also perfect for a rented space that isn’t yours to fully redesign.
Pop it Like its Hot
As a self-proclaimed color & prints enthusiast, I love using pops of color to keep it fun and inspire creativity.
My pops in this space are some bright coral curtains I strategically layered behind some plain white ones for a bright pop of color that still looks sophisticated and not overly playful. You can get the full scoop in this post — How to Style Colored Curtains for a Luxe Look
Put your Best Mug Forward
Like a pen cup, a cute mug can cheer up your desk and your day.
But what I really mean by this tip is create a place for snacks. No one likes you when you’re hangry.
You need to stay healthy, drink that water, and nom on some healthy snacks while you work.
“Make sure your workspace caters to your health and supports you having healthy habits while you work”
For you, this might mean designing yourself a little tea station at your desk so you can pour yourself a cup of zen to make it though.
It might mean stashing healthy(er) snacks in your desk drawer.
Everyday Essentials
Keep only the essentials on top of your desk for a distraction free work zone — everything else can be stored out of sight.
Stow away those non-essential items out of sight but within reach — in your drawers, etc.
Keeping minimal items on your desk will help eliminate distractions and keep you focused on your work, as an easily distracted person, this is a tried and true tip.
New & Noteworthy
This is probably another tip for you creative types, but also one most people can benefit from.
“Keep a notebook hand for good ideas that aren’t time sensitive”
Instead of opening a new tab to dive into that golden idea when it pops into your head, write that sh*t down and revisit it later when its the right time.
This will help you focus on your most high-priority tasks without feeling like your missing out on the next great thing.
Decisively Done Drawers
Don’t do it. Don’t throw that random thing in your drawer just to get it off the desk.
Keep your drawers organized to eliminate clutter and time spent rummaging through them.
If it isn’t a tool you will use on the desk, it doesn’t need to go in the desk.
That gem of a tip has finally clicked for me as a former junk-drawer queen, and you should see my desk drawers now — they’re spectacular.
Wait, come back, don’t go in there — the kitchen junk drawer is an entirely different story
Don’t forget to pin this post for later
Up next…
check out the big reveal!
Want to see the full space? Catch my Fun & Fresh Office + Studio Reveal to get a peak inside the space an a look at some design strategies you can use for your own office design.
luxe colored curtains
Loving the chic vibe of these layered colored curtains? Hop over and check out How to Style Colored Curtains for a Luxe Look
Are you redesigning your office? which tips are you using to freshen your workspace? leave a comment below, or use #neverskipbrunch
cara newhart
I'm Cara, the designer & diy queen behind Never Skip Brunch. I'm a color & prints obsessed DIY queen who's here to help you create a beautifully lived-in life through home design advice and chic DIY tutorials
Thanks I am a mother and very busy! This helped me alot!
I loved how you mentioned that adding texture with fabrics and textiles can soften up your office space. My wife is starting a new job soon and she is wondering how she can decorate her office to be cozier. I’ll be sure to let her know to add fabrics and textiles to her office.