Whether you telecommute or just need an organized space to pay bills and answer e-mails, a home office should feel as stylish and inviting as any other room in the house. New York City interior designer John Loecke, who transformed this attic nook into a brilliant workplace for New Jersey mom and graphic designer Andrea Amadio, suggests thinking big, even in a Post-it-size space. Here he incorporated an outsize desk and bulletin board that encourage spreading out, bold colors and patterns, and storage galore, including a cubby unit roomy enough for Andrea and daughters Ella, 8, and Kate, 5, to share. What was once a blank (albeit cluttered) slate is now a cheerful space that gets the job done. 

Short & Upbeat
Curtains can be a fun touch and less costly than customized shades for irregular-size windows. Loecke chose panels that extend only to the sill, which are less formal than longer styles. To make a squat window appear taller, mount drapes a few inches above the frame. 

DIY: Create no-sew curtains using iron-on adhesive like Stitch Witchery. 

Bright Spots
A tangerine chair that Andrea fell in love with at a garage sale inspired the vivid color scheme. "All the white keeps it from looking clownish," she says. To balance the chair's playful shape Loecke added bold, geometric touches like the carpet, lamp shade and curtains. 

DIY: Try modular carpet tiles in high-traffic areas. Opt for a pattern or dark color to camouflage stains and keep extra squares on hand so you can replace one if necessary.


 
Shelf Life
 
Make kids' art look more sophisticated by framing lots of their drawings, along with photographs and pieces of graphic wrapping paper or fabric, and displaying them on a shelf. "This is such a simple, inexpensive way to add color and personality to an office," says Loecke. 

John's Tip: Work supplies and furnishings don't have to come from the office-supply store. "This is a room in your home—it should look like you," says Loecke. Bring in a comfy side chair or love seat, make a mouse pad from a square of pretty fabric adhered to felt, and get creative with containers: Use a vase or mint julep cup to hold pens, and arrange paper clips and Post-its in antique teacups.
 

Click here to great more great tips to organize your home from Family Circle.
 

More Great Articles from Family Circle:

• Organize Your Hall Closet
• Organize Your Bathroom
• Organize Your Pantry

How have you organized your home office?


*Photo Provided