Working on making working from home more pleasant

A few days ago, I posted this link on my Facebook page. The home office décor tips were meant to inspire my work-from-home connections. I envisioned them leaving me messages of gratitude.

The actual feedback I received was a little different …

modern home office design by san francisco interior designer Jute Interior Design

As an example:
So, what we have to do is put work on hold for a week or so… maybe a month, depending on creativity levels… and get working on our ‘space’? (From Elaine, who markets designer handbags – and went on to say that she usually works in her kitchen as it’s closer to the fridge.)

Yup, point taken. My work space is a HOVEL. But show me how to do this on a budget, and I’m happy to talk… no buy-designer-stuff cash to throw around… (From Leonie, a published novelist – who is one of the most creative people I know and whose interpretation of “hovel” can probably be taken with a pinch of salt and a lick of lime-bright paint.)

So ladies who did – and others who didn’t – respond, here are some inexpensive home office tips.

While I work, the phrase that continually runs through my head is “oh &#%@ I’m going to miss my deadline”. But if my thoughts were more motivating, I’d print them out and frame them, as in the above example. I know for a fact that my local Postnet charges R7.50 per colour print, and even Makro has a reasonable selection of inexpensive non-designer-type frames. Add a matching blind – Pinterest has crafty tips for non-sewers like me – and voila! From hovel to home office in two simple steps.

eclectic home office design by sydney interior designer Matilda Rose Interiors

My desk is a painted trestle table. My Mac’s desktop is a melange of pictures of really nice desks that I will consider buying one day when I’m big. (Or when all my clients pay on time, whichever comes first.) But just look at the above photo: makeshift morphs into super-sophisticated – the trick is simply to make it look planned.

And then, there’s always colour. My hubby is a photographer and his ideal workspace is a floor to ceiling non-shade called mid-grey. Apparently this helps him to see actual colours properly when he’s editing photos. Unfortunately for me, we share a work space. If we didn’t I’d certainly be painting my desk raspberry and the walls in other yummy fruity shades.

traditional home office design by los angeles interior designer Emily Ruddo

Still on the colour aspect, Pinterest – my new favourite waste-of-time – has great ideas for creating designs on painters’ dropcloths for use as dirt-cheap floor coverings. And, another Facebook friend has publicly revealed the secret to her DIY home renovation coming in on budget: Atlas Paint = R1 400 for 30 litres of awesome-coverage paint. (Thanks Jua.)

&#%@! If I continue with all my tips today, I’m really going to miss my deadline. But, quickly, one more:

modern home office design by miami interior designer Causa Design Group

A neutral colour scheme, ample storage (painted pine?), simple furniture, a painted dropcloth and one leaf from the garden in a vase … lovely enough to entice even Elaine out from the kitchen.

Definitely more to follow!