It's finally time to show you my office!
I know the big reveal has been a long time coming — seriously, I teased it way back in the 11 Office Styling Tips to Freshen Up Your Workspace post from January.
But the space has had a full transformation from the fashion-focused "cloffice" it was 2 years ago and is now a fully-equipped DIY Studio + Office for Never Skip Brunch!
Keeping it fun & fresh
This space uses pops of color to the fullest for a fun but focused vibe.
My first rule for using color successfully in a space is to anchor with a neutral, but my second rule is to add greenery to achieve balance.
Greenery + plants have a balancing effect on color — they keep a space feeling alive and fresh without feeling overly playful like a kid space or grade-school classroom.
See the full gallery:
a peak at the before:
A look at the after:
The Design
This space is all of what multi-functional should be — from a DIY Craft table & pegboard storage, to an office corner complete with a mini podcasting studio, to ample storage for products + shipping supplies for the shop, I had a lot of function to fit into this space.
RELATED: Episode 004: #RelationshipGoals - Why you each need your own physical space in your house
Get a little more insight into how I designed the space as I sit down with my husband to chat about the importance of each carving out your own space in your home.
Hideaway or on display?
While the room wasn't too small, going vertical was key to fitting all the necessary elements into the space in a way that didn't feel crowded.
Using exposed storage — like open shelving and a pegboard wall — as decor elements made everything easy to find.
This is a strategy that works perfectly in a creative space where stimulation is welcome, but would feel cluttered and extra in a space like a bedroom.
POP IT
Color was used liberally in the space, with a pink & yellow focused palette.
Anchoring colors with a neutral gives bright hues a sophisticated look, like the colored sheers which were layered with cream curtains.
Carrying pops of color throughout the space and repeating them in different areas of the room makes the design look cohesive and complete. You can find pink & yellow pops throughout the room.
Greenery is also repeated to help the room feel fresh and lively.
Perfectly Patterned
The use of pattern in the space is almost exclusively black and white — this is a great strategy for getting away with multiple different patterns in a room without it feeling overwhelming or having them compete for attention.
When pairing patterns, contrast is your friend: the big & bold stripes have a different feel than the tiny abstract dots, which allows them to work together to create a mood vs directly competing with each other.
No Stuffy Storage
Another key to great storage is variety. A uniform storage system is practical but lacks personality and visual interest.
By incorporating a variety of storage solutions, the space feels eclectic and full of personality, while offering storage space almost everywhere you look.
some tips?
- Step away from squares — cube storage is great, but adding rounded shapes, circles, etc. on rectangle or square shelves maintains visual variety
- Go for texture — Mix in a variety of baskets & bins: from metal pails to woven baskets, to wire bins. Texture breaks up the uniformity on a single shelf or storage piece
Don't forget to pin this post for later!
Up next...
office refresh
Are you refreshing your space? Catch my 11 Office Styling Tips to Freshen Up Your Workspace to help you get started giving your space a makeover.
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
What do you think — Did you like the new space? Any must-have elements for your office or studio? leave a comment below, or use #neverskipbrunch
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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
Hello, cara,
Very gorgeous information you share. I am very proud to read this blog. I like to design home and office that helps me more to fresh office. thanks for your delightful post.