If You’re Looking for Stylish Yet Practical Workplace Solutions, We’ve Got Them
WFH just got a makeover.
For many of us, our home office is a sanctuary for creativity so it needs to be stimulating to get those juices flowing. But there is definitely a fine line between designing a space that’s visually interesting but also has a purpose too. And with more renters in large cities than homeowners, we need to find practical (and pretty) solutions that suit any space.
This also means versatile, multi-functional furniture and décor that can turn any nook or tiny area at home into a productive workspace, because let’s face it, not all of us have room for a designated home office. When Create & Cultivate editorial director, Sacha Strebe works from home her dining room converts into a home office (Bonus: it’s right next to the kitchen for snacks on-the-go).
In this story, we tapped our C&C team to share how they work from home using the stylish, multi-purpose pieces from our friends at Pottery Barn. You too can design a convertible home office that's both inspiring and productive.
Photo: Courtesy of Pottery Barn
Sacha Strebe, Editorial Director, Create & Cultivate
The Home-Office Tip: Don’t overfill it.
Why It Works: “To limit any distractions when you’re working from home, be sure to create an environment that’s both stimulating yet minimal. You want an inspiring space to get those creative juices flowing but you also need to focus and get your work done. So, create a streamlined, clutter-free space in the house (for me it’s my dining room table) and only keep the bare minimum. I love to have fresh clippings from the garden in a vase next to me while I’m burning a candle to enhance the mood. The only other things I keep nearby are my laptop, a bottle of water, pens, and a notepad. Sometimes I will even put my phone away so I can really hunker down.”
How to Get the Look: “This vase is decorative yet minimal and I just know the palo santo scent of this candle will ramp up my productivity.”
Pottery Barn Quinn Ceramic Vase
$39
Carly Johnson, Senior Director, Brand Marketing
The Home-Office Tip: Think outside the box.
How It Works: “You don’t need to settle for the traditional office furniture for your workspace. A credenza can double as a chic storage solution to keep all of your files and papers, while also being a space to decorate with objets d’art and inspiring pieces. Then you can keep your desk very minimal and work-related.”
How to Get the Look: “This credenza from is a practical size with a classic look that will stand the test of time. And while it’s sitting pretty, you can store all of your office essentials without anyone noticing.”
Pottery Barn Dolores Cane Media Console
$999
Caitlin Shier, Vice President, Brand Partnerships
The Home-Office Tip: Use a console table as a desk.
How It Works: “We don’t always have the luxury of space but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style or function—turn your console table into your part-time desk.”
How to Get the Look: “Place decorative items on this modern rustic console so it adds to the overall design of the room, but keep a space clear front and center or to the side so you can shimmy a stool underneath when you need to work.”
Pottery Barn Malcolm Console Table
$854
Adry Perez, Social Media Manager
The Home-Office Tip: Use stylish storage to hide your office supplies.
How It Works: “If you have a roaming home office as I do then various furniture throughout your apartment can be turned into a temporary workspace. But that means I need somewhere to store my office supplies. My solution is stylish storage.”
How to Get the Look: “I keep notepads, pens, paperwork, and files in my chic rattan baskets either underneath my console or near my couch in the living room, where ever I typically work from home the most—no one will know the wiser. And when you don’t have a designated space, then I recommend this organization system that can be set up on a wall nearby to keep you on task. Working from home can be filled with distractions so any help is appreciated to stay on track. ”
Pottery Barn Jacquelyne Lidded Barrel Basket
$129
Nairi Najarian, Senior Director, Digital Marketing
The Home-Office Tip: Invest in double-duty furniture.
How It Works: “Customize any space to suit your needs with a modular pop-up desk that doubles as stylish storage.”
How to Get the Look: “Since I only work from home a few days a month I need multifunctional pieces that look like stylish furniture when they’re not being used. This modular system is fully customizable and looks like a compact storage area with a hidden compartment—a popup desk hides all of my cords and even has a place to stash my cell phone and smaller desk accessories when not in use.”
Pottery Barn Mission Modular System Collection Pop-Up Desk
$209
Kylie Tansey, Vice President, Sales
The Home-Office Tip: Light it up.
How It Works: “Lighting at home isn’t always optimized for working—think warm, soft, and moody which isn’t really what you need when it’s time to focus on a project or tackle your inbox. That’s why I love to have a task lamp nearby so I can shed some light on the space I’m working from.”
How to Get the Look: “Opt for a table lamp like this stylish bronze lamp which can be moved around the house from the dining table to the sofa, or wherever you feel inspired that day.”
Pottery Barn Stella Task Table Lamp
$137
To shop more of the stylish, multi-purpose pieces from our friends at Pottery Barn, visit potterybarn.com.
Rad Art for Your Office That Sparks Creativity
Look at greatness. Be great.
Why does it always seem like our best ideas come to us in the middle of the night? And then when we need it most, we lose our creativity? Like when we’re building out a proposal for a huge client? Or sitting down for a meeting with our boss? It happens to the best of us. And we’re here to say, don’t let creativity blues get you down. Opt for artwork instead.
Because once you hit that slump there is a way to get back on track. Minted’s design marketplace connects you to unique products from the world’s best emerging artists. It’s where you find work from independent artists and make it your own. These pieces of art can help cultivate your creativity in the workplace and get you back on track.
With limited edition art from the world’s best emerging artists, styled uniquely for you, Minted will bring it to life with personalized art styling services starting at $79. That’s what we call bang for your creative buck.
Here are some of our favorites.
BRING A LITTLE OUTSIDE TO YOUR INSIDE
Being locked inside the office all day can be tedious. Peeking outside your window, and seeing the shining sun can make you feel even more eager (hello official start of summer).
Studies have shown that people who get up and move are more productive and more creative. So why not dance? Inspired by these “Dancing Palms,” who knows what you’ll think of mid arms-in-the-air wave? And if you’re feeling fond of the frond theme, this is another great option: a Cali-inspired print to bring you back to a state of good creative vibes.
Dancing Palms by Gray Star Design.
Art yields tranquility. Feeling stressed in the office can leave us lacking motivation. Gazing up at a calm picture can help bring us back to a state of relaxation and the ability to clear our minds. If you are looking for tranquil vibes, this may also work for you. And according to Google, blue is the most productive color.
Blue Cactus by Wilder California.
Sitting at your desk dreaming of summer? Well, there is a way to bring some sunshine into your office.This serene art deco picture of a “Guard Chair, Santa Monica” will motivate you at work, making you feel like you are outside enjoying a nice summer day.
Guard Chair, Santa Monica by Jacquelyn Sloane Siklos.
ART CAN ALSO INSPIRE CLIENTS (& CLOSE DEALS)
Put yourself in your client’s shoes: you walk into an office and you’re greeted it’s austere white walls. Do you feel at home? Do you feel your most creative? You might feel a little uncomfortable, like you can’t touch anything. Which, as the client, is exactly the opposite of how you want to feel.
Art can also help connect you to your clients on an emotional level. Don’t get dragged into stagnant and uncomfortable meeting. Escape to a dreamlike place with Undertow.
Or opt for abstract.
Abstract art can spark abstract thinking-- a must for when you’re spitballing idea with a prospective or current client. Bonus: yellow is an energetic color that is an instant mood lifter. So go ahead and elevate your office space.
Abstract Layers 1 by Kelly Nasuta.
GET OUT-OF-THE-BOX & OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY
Out of ideas? Feel like you hit a dead end? All it takes is one flash of an idea to get the rest flowing. Typewriters inspire creativity. Writers creativity comes from a keyboard, so what better way to spark your ideas than looking at one?
Ever catch yourself day-dreaming, wishing your were somewhere other than your office? Well, these Parisian Windows will make you feel a little more a part of that dream. Taking you to a world of fantasy for a minute will help kick-start your creativity in the office.
Parisian Windows by Annie Montgomery.
Wanting to escape work for a little? The sky’s the limit with this piece. Having an image that excites your imagination will help you take a step back and expand your mind in the office.
Confidence is the key to success. “Magnifique” staring at you in big gold letters instills will self-esteem in oneself and helps get those ideas flowing. If you like this vibe, you may want to group a few of these together to shake things up.
Or make it a mantra. Displaying calm, motivating, and inspiring quotes in your office will help bring back your free flowing thoughts of creativity. Seeing is believing. Sometimes we simply need the words right in front of us.
Nice Work; Humble Word both by Heather Francisco.