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Home Decorating

What is on the walls in your home office?

Painted Peggies (zone 6a)

8 years ago

We just bought some new to us furniture for our home office, which is in the loft of my upstairs hallway. It is a corner desk. I want to make it look nice since it is out in the open. I will be hanging a wooden file holder and a wall shelf.

What about decorations? We use the office for many things--computer, school work, bill paying, writing (I'm working on a book). I can post pics if anyone wants:-)

Featured Answer

LynnNM

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Although I have my own roll top desk in our guest room that I mainly work at, DH & I have chosen the wall art together for our study. Since he spends a lot of time there, he wanted to be surrounded by things that would make him happy to look at . . . and help him destress. I think that is so important, to be surrounded by things that lift your spirits while you're working.

Since DH is an avid golfer, we have an antique golf club from Scotland in a holder, hanging above the French doors to the foyer, along with his framed score card, etc. from one of his (2) holes-in-one. I've also framed several photos of his longtime foursome taken when they played in various tournaments. Above his long computer desk, we have 2 small woodblock paintings by David Mayhew. They flank one of DH's favorite photographs by our friend and world renown wildlife photographer, Phil Sonier. DH loves that one and says that it makes him smile every time he looks at it. I know that the 2 woodblocks don't work well with the wolves photograph, but they were gifts to my husband from David, and he cherishes them. And, again, that's the ultimate goal for a place you do a lot of work in, isn't it? To surround yourself with things that make you happy.

On another wall, is a photograph taken of Colorado's famous Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad at some pass in the San Juan Mountains (This was not taken by us, but by photographer David Schneider). Again, this is just something that spoke to DH in a big way.

On another wall, is a zinc etching of an Native American. Because DH is part NA, this is very special to him. BTW, if the walls look strange to you, it's because they are exposed adobe brick walls. They throw many shadows in photos. Sorry.

I also had an antique cigar wrapper/advertisement framed for him and it's hung in there, as DH does love his cigars. I don't have a pic of it, though.

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Comments (26)

kitschykitch
8 years ago
I would choose the same art you would use in a living room, although since it is a private space, it is also a good place for family photos.
busybee3
8 years ago
it's mostly my husb's space, so it's mostly what he has elected to hang--- some family pictures/kids' achievements pics, framed diplomas/awards, a world map tapestry and a framed map...
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C F
8 years ago
I work from home now, so we are hanging diplomas/work accolades as well as some modern black and white photography.

The great thing about offices is they can have whatever you want! If you can see your office from more public areas, I personally wouldn't want a bunch of cluttered wall space, but I think you can get away with almost anything.
Painted Peggies (zone 6a)
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for the ideas. It is a sort of dark corner--no window--so I wanted to liven up the two giant walls that create the L shape a bit. We switched from all black furniture to white, so that helped to lighten it some.
localeater
8 years ago
Mine leans quite functional. I work in IT globally. I have world map with time zones and DST start /end dates. I also have release calendar schedules for various platforms and a dartboard for aggravation management. I have a large window to my patio and backyard too for an ever-changing display .
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
We actually have two home "offices" so to speak. I redesigned the floor plan to what would have been a formal dining room into our home library. I had originally thought we'd share the room, but hubby decided it was his alone so my desk, TV, and computer "walked" around the house, landing for awhile in what was once our daughter's bedroom suite. When our son and grandson moved home while son finished college, I turned that room into their living room and turned our ladies parlor, which is next to our library, into my permanent home "office". I still call it the ladies parlor.
On the wall I have a portrait of myself as a toddler, one of my folks, and a drawing I did years ago. I have a small gallery wall planned for some of my photography, but have yet to pick the photos.
Our library has more bookshelves than wall space, but will have my hubby's various diplomas and certificates along with a barometer.
sas95
8 years ago
We have mostly photographs of our travels, and a few random diplomas.
User
8 years ago
Anything that inspires you! Artwork, photos of your travels, family, whatever you will enjoy looking at during work time and keep you motivated!
jakabedy
8 years ago
In DH's home office (which is also a music room/man cave-type situation) I put up some paintings done by his youngest son. In my home office I've put up only one small print in the entry. But it also serves as a small guest room (day bed along one wall), so I haven't sorted out it's personality even after a year.

On a good day, given ample prep and equipment, I'm terrified of hanging things on the walls. Add to that equation the fact that this house happens to have super smooth plaster walls that I'm terrified of damaging. So, rather than actually hang things I shop for "new and improved" removeable sticky devices with which to hang things . . . and still never hang things.

I think I'm going to put up some ca. 1960 pastel portraits of my parents over the daybed and find a way to arrange an assortment of family photos over my desk (which faces the wall). Give me another year or so to sort it out.
1929Spanish-GW
8 years ago
I work full time from home and have this on my office. It makes me happy.

I just happened to be walking by a tiny flea market on my exercise route and it called out to me! Had to rush home to get money and come back to get it. From an elementary school in Paris. Now I don't care that the rest of my walls are blank.
suero
8 years ago
I have a 3'x4' photo of the Andromeda galaxy facing my chair. It helps to put things in perspective.
nhb22
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago

Two very old family oils and a newish painting of dogs.
violetwest
8 years ago
nothing yet . . . after almost 3 years
Butternut
8 years ago
It's not hung yet, but a print of cocker spaniels from my grandparents' house.

It hung over their kitchen table for as long as I can remember. My first dog was a cocker spaniel and I always admired it. No one else wanted it, so I took it. I honestly just thought it was a poster that they liked and I would remember them by. Turns out it's signed and numbered and worth like $1k.
nhb22
8 years ago
Looks like many of us like the dogs in our study. I have one that is not ON the wall, but always a fixture in the study.
1929Spanish-GW
8 years ago
Nhb, LOVE the Schnauzer. I have a special place in my heart for them.
nhb22
8 years ago
Thanks. She is a Snorkie. We tried the Schnauzer cut and decided we like the Benjie look on her better. (Don't mean to hijack this thread. ;))

paintedpeggies - I love the fact that your office in in the loft and so open to what is going on in the house below. That way you don't feel closed in. ;)

Yes, please show us some photos of your space. Photos always help when asking for advice.
Painted Peggies (zone 6a)
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I think I figured it out...here's a pic. The chair is going, to be replaced with a white matching one, hopefully. DH was thinking maybe shelves across the other wall for books.
monicakm_gw
8 years ago
Our home office turned into a "multi-media learning center" 4 years ago. The summer of 2011 when we had 60+ days of about 110 degree or more. Couldn't do outside activities with the grandbabies (5 and 3 at the time). So we removed the treadmill to add a really "beefy" wooden futon, added a nice (not tacky)animal and jungle themed carpet runner in front of it. Let down into a bed, it's big enough for all 4 of us to watch the (new for 2011) 42" tv on the wall. Also purchased a BluRay player and mounted it on the wall. Of course the computer and printer and office desk was already there. Pictures of Serengeti art and clock are on the walls. Went to the Teacher's Supply Store and bought several fun workbooks and other teaching supplies. Have various school posters on the walls (days of the week, solar system, Plant cycle, United States, cursive alphabet and colorful inspirational posters...Bsomeone UwouldB Proud 2know...stuff like that. Bought a "Wanted" poster and put it on the door and filled it with a collage of pictures of the babies. Wood floors and "dromedary camel" paint. So it's an office/multimedia learning center/movie watching and a place for the babies to sleep when they're spending the night (unless they won't get out of our bed <lol>). Since we're almost done with DH's bathroom, which is right next to this room, I've been thinking of removing all the posters since they've been up for 4 years this month and refreshing the art.
nhb22
8 years ago
paintedpeggies - Shelves would be nice to have, but shelves also get a lot of clutter. Do you have other walls space for the shelves? You need to have something pleasing to look at when at your desk. I was thinking of a nice large colorful print...especially if that corner can be seen from down below.

Other photos?
vedazu
8 years ago
In our case, I have had many international guests over the years who bring things to hang on the wall--and they don't add anything to the house as it is decorated. On the other hand, the library/office, with so many wooden shelves for books and with the desk and filing cabinets for the home office, can be used to display a lot of that genre: wooden carvings, framed pictures and the like.
Sueb20
8 years ago
My home office is different because it's tucked away from the rest of the house in a room that almost no one else uses. I have a gallery wall of art that appeals to me (and doesn't have to appeal to, say, DH) including photos and a pretty wall calendar. I also have a bulletin board over the desk, and shelves above that for decorative boxes that store various things.

My latest "art" for my office wall is a vintage bike seat I picked up on vacation. It has an "S" on it for Schwinn (or Sueb20) and I'm going to hang it on the wall over my desk!
fnmroberts
8 years ago
We use the smallest bedroom as our office. It was decorated this way when I worked from home. This coming winter we plan to redecorate/rearrange so I'm interested in others' comments.

Here's a link to how is appears currently.

Office
artemis_ma
8 years ago
Painted - Shelves would indeed be great, if as it appears you have books.
sunfeather
8 years ago

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