Home Styling Tips | Desktop
Good morning! Are you Super Bowl weary today?! Â My son and I have been under the weather lately, so we just took it easy. Â I even missed Beyonce- #gasp! Â Was it good?? I hope we’re better soon – no time to be sick when a baby is on the way! Â I’ve got nesting fever and am wanting to finish up the nursery bathroom and get her closet organized, plus pack our hospital bag essentials. Â I even had a dream last night that we ended up at the hospital with nothing. Â It wasn’t terrible, but I’d rather be prepared.
Today, I’m sharing the third installment of Home Styling Tips, the Desk edition. Â You can get caught up on the Kitchen Styling here and the Reading Nook here. My home office has evolved over the years, but once I made it a pretty and functional place to create and write my blog, it’s become one of my favorite places to be. Â Instead of dragging my laptop down to the living room to work, if you’re reading a blog post, you know it was written from the comfort of my black and white and bright home office.
home styling tips | office desk
As far as desktop styling goes, I like to keep a mostly clear space, with essentials to keep me on task and creative close at hand. Â I’m forever changing out the accessories, but I always keep nearby a few favorite pens, pencils, highlighters, washi tape, scissors, stapler, notepads, calendar or planner (see my 2016 favorites here), candle, and lamp.
I’ll keep my pens and pencils in anything from an old candle cardboard box (like the one below), to a coffee mug or this adorable shiny gold pineapple.
Notepads are a must and how could I forget sticky notes?! Â The floral notebook below opens to reveal a gorgeous set of different sized sticky notes. Â I’m always reaching for those to flag pages or just to write notes to stick on my calendar. Â You can find inexpensive notepads and sticky notes at HomeGoods or in the dollar bins at Target and Michael’s.
The climbing rose notepad below was a gift from my sweet friend Jen and the Kate Spade sticky notes and bow paper clips are another gift from my friend Angela for my 40th birthday. Â Just goes to show what great presents stationery and paper things make for your fellow paper lovers and that you’re never too old to love those things! Or if I am, please don’t tell me! Â I’ve already heard “advanced maternal age” and “geriatric pregnancy” twice last week!
Sentimental things are sweet to keep in view also. Â My 5-year old son used my label maker to create the “I Love You” message below and it sits on my keyboard, never failing to put a smile on my face.
The large Sugar Paper calendar (22 x 17 inches) has been perfect for getting a big picture of my monthly blog calendar. Â I keep a running list of blog topics and each month, write in where each post will go. Seeing them all at a glance like this has been really helpful this year. Â And I found these ERASABLE colored pens that actually work! Â They’ve changed my life! Â I use a different color for each blog topic.
I also keep another portable paper planner on hand and I’ll write in weekly appointments and such so I can see where my time needs to go for planning purposes. Â There are never enough hours in the day!
Fresh flowers will instantly brighten your desk space. Â Put them in unconventional containers like this little mason jar mug for a dose of charm. Â I found this one at Hobby Lobby for half off!
While not actually on my desktop, I keep an organizer full of things I might like to reach for handy with a drawer organizer. Â You can do this on a smaller scale right on your desktop.
My washi tape collection is currently inside my desk drawers, but if you like to keep yours on display, you could use a cupcake stand like I did in the below picture. Â I’ve found washi tape everywhere from places like Target, Amazon, Etsy, and craft stores. Â It’s an addiction, I know!
To keep the drawers looking pretty and organized, I lined them first with inexpensive gift wrap, then used acrylic drawer dividers to help separate things and keep it tidy.
TAKE AWAY: Â When it comes to organizing and styling your desktop, a few pretty necessities can really brighten your work day. Â Even when I worked full time at a corporate law office, I still prettied up my desk with the things I wanted to see and use all day. Â Why not?!
cute desk accessories
I am still loving my Jet desk and chair from Z Gallerie. The inside of your drawers looks a lot like mine…love lots of color. And, I too adore stationary…one thing I swear you can never have too much of 😉 Hope you and James are on the mend soon. Prayers.
Our desk has lasted us all these years! It's a great size too and I always need a desk with drawers. James is on the mend but I still feel crappy! Guess I just need to take it easy for a few more days. Thanks for the well wishes Lauren!
How do you make use of Washi tape?
That's a great question Riley. I use Washi tape in my calendar, to make labels, to decorate and dress up envelopes and when making lists. You can also decorate your pens or pencils with them and notebooks. Lots of uses! I also taped up our Christmas cards with them because they peel off easily.
I love everything about your desk setup! It's clean and creative without being cluttered, plus I love all the color!
Thank you! I'm obsessed with all pretty paper and stationery things!
Hi Megan, Love your blog ;)!
I was wondering if you knew the name of the plant you have in your office. I have been eyeing that kind of plant for a while now but have not been able to find the name. did you go to a boutique nursery or were you able to find it at any of the major retailers? – Thanks so much 🙂
Hi Laura! I don't recall the name of the plant, but I found it at Lowe's. Hope this helps!
This looks like it might be a Fish Tail Palm (caryota plumosa).
It looks like a banana leaf plant 😉 Pretty hardy.
Just a quick note to let you know how much I enjoy following your blog and the updates about your family and pregnancy. My husband and I have three children (1st, 2nd and 3rd graders!). My youngest was born when I was 41 and I am all too familiar with the 'advanced maternal age' label and extra precautions, etc. Best wishes to you and I will share advice given to me: give yourself grace to slow down enough to enjoy this time. Even though I may not have the energy of my younger self, I think my 'advanced maternal age' has given me perspective and the ability to better appreciate the ride!
Cindy, thank you so much for writing! It is so good to hear from another mom my age who's been there. Most of my friends are past the pregnancy stage so connecting with you all has been a great way to share the excitement of this pregnancy. I definitely agree with the different perspective that comes with age and experience. And I thank you for the reminder to slow down. I'm sick with a cold right now and I always think that's God's way of getting my attention and forcing me to take it easy. Since my son was sick recently too, we've had several days home alone together and I'm sure it's just what we both needed! Thank you so much for following along Cindy!
My desk is a baker's rack from Big Lots. I found one that was just the right height and everything!
What a pretty office space!! Love it! 🙂
Megan
http://www.lifeonshadylane.com
I love your desk I am finding ideas to reorganize well my second desk, and your planner is amazing!!!
I LOVE how bright and cheery your office is!!!
xo Amber Jefferies
nice