Decorating tips for your home office

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Using everyday objects, collections and beautiful items, you can blur the boundary between a workspace and living zone.

Before
Located in a guest bedroom, this lacklustre home office was not an inviting place to work. We rearranged the furniture and added storage to create a stimulating work environment.

Home office tips
Creating a work environment at home should be done with the same intent as if you were decorating another living space. These tips will get you started: 

• Organisation: Everything should have its own place. Keep writing tools, address books, journals, stamps and other paraphernalia in a well-ordered fashion. Remember that when you're not working in the space you'll be living and relaxing in it, so it needs to look good all the time.
• Storage: Have storage underneath your desk so it's easier to get at while sitting down. A well-kept filing system will negate tireless rows of shelves for clutter and mess. Keep storage simple with shelves and boxes, and use     stickers to label the contents.
• Dual-purpose: Using a room that already has a purpose, such as a spare bedroom, for a home office, requires thought about colour and texture. Use art and small objects to bring together the two different spaces. Colour tones are important, as are the personal effects that add softness to your room.
• Lighting: Working near a source of natural light is good for your health, while a window view can help to relieve boredom. Forget overhead lighting, as it tends to make areas flat and lifeless. Instead, use a lamp fitted with a halogen bulb, to create functional mood lighting.

Words & styling: Matt Page. Photography: Scott Hawkins.