For such a long time, I’ve wanted my own space. An office I can escape to, work from, and unwind in. So when we were fortunate enough to move to a larger home, it was the first thing we discussed. But thankfully, I married someone truly awesome who’d been thinking the same.
Previously, for the past two years, we’ve been co-sharing our dining room. We decided mid-pandemic to turn the space into a joint office. This did mean compromising on style, sound and furniture. Thankfully, we aren’t that different, so it wasn’t terrible. But, I was super excited to begin creating a space that reflected my style.
I have used Affiliate Links [AFF] for products in this post, but as I’ve lived here since the middle of February, and haven’t changed anything I can say with confidence that I love them.
How The Dream Office Began
To paint a picture, the room I moved into was beige walls and a neutral carpet. Not terrible, but not me. It’s not terribly big, but I also don’t love huge spaces I can’t fill, so turning the ‘box room’ into my office didn’t faze me.
If anything, the cogs began turning quickly.
First up, was colours. I was very determined to have a pink space (it’s my favourite colour and my entire aesthetic). Next up, flooring. I didn’t want carpet, as I often get ready in the room, so I wanted to opt for laminate. I found the perfect one in our B&Q, which is grey. Then, it was just moving.
Which, I won’t lie, was a nightmare. But, the first week we moved in, we tackled the office.
I can’t tell you how my husband got it all done in two days, but we painted like a dream team and he’s become somewhat of an expert at laying flooring quickly, so a huge thank you to him. Our dog was also awesome, in the fact he made sure to sit in every bit of the space to ensure it was comfortable. So thanks, Cheddar.
Now it’s complete, I wanted to share bits and pieces. So, if you’re after some office inspiration, intrigued by my dream office, or have come from my Instagram and wondered where all the pieces are from. Here’s your full list.
My Dream Office Essentials
Desk
Kickstarting with the most important piece, the desk. This is just LINNMON / ADILS desk from IKEA. I purchased mine with a set of drawers on one side with two legs on the other. I have a similar style of drawers behind me, far taller, which is now where I take my photos for Bookstagram. The desk is one of the few pieces recycled from my previous office because it’s been so good.
I purchased the ‘desk protector’ from Amazon, and you can find that here. I love it because it’s easy to wipe and really ties in my desk to the rest of the space.
I also covered some of my favourite pieces here a while ago, with most of the stationary unchanged (if that interests you).
Wall Paint
It doesn’t look like it, but the colour on the walls of my new dream office is ‘Strawberry Milkshake’ from B&Q (in the UK). But, for those not in the UK, if you Google Strawberry Milkshake, you’ll find it and it looks exactly that. I’d originally opted for a lighter shade, but the space gets a lot more light than I remembered when I visited when buying. So, once we both got to admire it at all hours of the day, we went bolder, and I AM SO GLAD.
Chair
Would it be me if I bought an office chair? Of course not. So, I picked up a gorgeous, comfortable chair from Next called the Stella in Velvet Blush Pink. It has gold legs, and it’s so comfy, but also doesn’t feel like an office chair. The reason for me opting for this is that I have longer hip to knee, and office chairs (that aren’t specially made for this) usually give me knee pain. It also fits super well with the decor.
Travel Prints
The first thing I chose was some colourful prints to fill up the space on the wall. Thankfully, I came across SimplyKatyPrints on Etsy where I purchased these prints from them. The shades used in their work perfectly match my previous office, and I hadn’t wanted to change that colour scheme. Not only are all these prints so aesthetic, but they’re based in the UK and often have bundles. I chose three pieces that really spoke to me. One of which you can see to the right.
Most of SimplyKatyPrints match super well together. I opted for Paris, New York and a New York Bookstore.
Pink Phone Stand
As someone who is often glued to their phone, a phone stand is essential. I drop it, lose it, and misplace it all the time, so I wanted somewhere I could prop it when I sat down. I purchased a pink one from Amazon, which you can find the link for here. I did try some others, but my phone was too heavy, often slipping off from the holder. This one is rubber, and puts up more of a fight, as well as sits nicely with the rest of my decor.
Desk Calendar
I don’t know about anyone else, but I spend too much time looking for the perfect desk calendar. I love ones with different art on, and thankfully I found that with Badabase’s on Etsy. It’s truly gorgeous, and you can see it above behind my phone holder. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, but the art on them is gorgeous.
Bookcases
Are you even a Bookstagrammer, Book Lover or Book Collector if you’ve not had or currently own the BILLY Bookcases from IKEA? Well, I didn’t use to own them. I had one from Argos previously, but this time I purchased four. My husband wasn’t all that impressed when he had to put them up, but I think now he sees my vision.
I’ve got some book stands on order to prop the books up, so they’ll stand slightly nicer. But, I’m so happy with how the colours and props worked out.
As a fan of POP! Figures, Collector Books and (now) Pokemon, also works to showcase that too.
Admittedly, I built the entire room around the bookcases, because I had to. My books were always going to be the centre of my space, and in my original plans I thought I’d only get three. So four was truly a bonus.
For me.
Not for the man who had to build them.
Final Office Thoughts
There’s not much I regret, but there’s something I want to add.
I’d love to pop up some small shelves above my desk just between the frames, or one in the corner. I’d also really like to change the blind (not currently pictured) and wish I’d considered how I wanted that before I began decorating.
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