Whether you work from home or need a place to organize your family’s various meetings and activities, a functional yet pretty office space is a must. I’ve always loved having workspaces that can accommodate more than just one person…originally so when I was working at home the kids could be with me while doing their homework, and now to create a more collaborative environment with my staff. When I was redoing my new offices, I found so many fun design ideas for multi-person offices. Here are some of my favs!!
First I was searching for the right layout!! I like working in an office that has an extra table that you can turn around and use as an adittional work space. I drew my drapery inspiration from this pic!
Should I have an oval table that is angled? Took up too much room in my space but I can’t help but love the monogram on these chairs! I wanted to monogram something but I couldn't work it into the design.
I adore how this space works behind closed doors! Another desk could be on the opposite wall, plus you can close off the room whenever it’s too messy– big secret – I’m not that neat!
The desk space between the two workstations is a brilliant way to create the feel of separate offices but still have a two table feel. The acrylic stacking bins and file sorters really help cut down on clutter... I got some similar ones from the Container Store for our office.
Drawers can also serve as a functional divider. These were built specifically for this room, but Ikea has wonderful, reasonably priced desks that you can customize to fit your space! I purchased chairs just like these from the discount website Haute Look. Even though the site mainly focuses on clothes, they have some furnishings, and I got these for 50% off what I’ve seen in stores.
This beautiful home office for two is inside one of the house’s we plastered. I thought they did a wonderful job adding interest with the unique chairs and floor!
This office marries rustic with contemporary in a beautiful way… I love the acrylic chairs paired with the floating reclaimed wood counter. I did a similar look in our conference room, placing antique metal barrels under an old top. We added a few Ikea cubicles in between the barrels for storage. I always need more storage!! Although I couldn't afford these chairs for my office I did find some I liked from Ikea for 79$ each.
Message boards are a must in any office. The corkboard behind the computers is awsome to pin reminders and pictures on. It can be painted to give it a more decorative look. In my old home office, I painted and stenciled the corkboard backsplash. It holds up well and is a great alternative to a fabric pin board!!
Painted with chalkboard paint, this old door I found on DigsDigs makes a wonderful weekly calendar and place to post messages.
Instead of using normal black paint, you could use chalkboard or whiteboard paint on the wall behind your desk and write messages directly on the wall – so great! They also make a wipe board paint which I purchased but didn't use that is a great alternative.
This pin board can be hidden by closing the shutters - such a creative idea!!!
Here’s a beautiful fabric board example! The antique frame became a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind message space – I love how it feels more like an art piece than an office necessity!
Ballard Designs is a great place to find framed bulletin boards! I bought one of the large ones for my conference room and painted it – I love how it looks in the room! I also have one at home in my daughter’s room. She used it for all of her pictures and school things – so functional.
While I love the ones from Ballard, the sizes and cost wouldn’t work for the other 5 desk setups I have in the new office. Again, Ikea saved the day – I bought several bulletin boards for $5 each and painted them. They turned out great and really fit the space.
Finding the rignt desk was my next mission. I loved this look and almost bought a similar one for my office, I needed a little more storage and a place to hide the CPU so I decided against this desk. Criss cross or chrome legs are so popular right now! This one from Vielle + Frances is $1250, but I know West Elm and Williams-Sonoma have some like this around the $500-$600 mark.
Partners desks have always been a favorite style of mine. Sometimes old tables can make the perfect desk creating a workspace on each side! I adore this old, red trestle table that serves as a great workspace in this Peter Dunham designed room.
I love vintage or antique finds mixed with contemporary elements. This old 1950s partners desk sold me on doing an old desk in the middle of the room. Looks like it’s been revamped with some leopard print on the side!
Love the shelving wall behind the desks! It might make up for not having any drawer space. All from Ikea, which also sells great baskets that you could put in each cubby making it a bit more decorative. I decided against the desk but bought lots of these shelving units.
In the end, I chose this desk from Ikea for my new office. It’s both versatile and functional… and it was only $145 – the perfect solution! I think the design of this area would be great for a kids room. The painted heart is so fun, and the chair looks like one I’ve seen in Pottery Barn Teen – they come in lots of colors!
Doing something special and unique like this with the fifth wall is always really important to me. I featured this office by Annsley Interiors on my post on ceilings, but I love the room so much I can’t get enough of it! Although I didn’t choose to emulate this graphic treatment, I definitely wanted a very cool ceiling in my office!
And here’s my office - the finished look with the Ikea acrylic chairs and desks, antique drawing table from Joyce Horn Antiques, painted corkboard and beautiful ceiling! It has all the elements I was looking for! Next week we will look at wonderful home offices for one!!
What do you think makes a great office space? ‘Til next week! xo Leslie
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