Sarah Baeumler Essentials: How to Create a Chic Office Aesthetic

Like all things, there’s upsides and downsides to working from home. Sure, if you aren’t going into the office, you’re less likely to swing by that adorable coffee shop around the corner, but there’s a lot more benefits. Saving time and money by not commuting every day, sleeping in, and not having to get out of your pjs are all pretty big perks. With all that extra time spent in your home office, you may finally want to make it a space worth of being your new most used room.

If you want to achieve that chic home office straight out of your favourite home reno show, follow these fool-proof tips we learned from Sarah Baeumler.

Watch new episodes of Island of Bryan starting Sunday, October 2 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV Canada. Also available on the Global TV App and on STACKTV with Amazon Prime Video Channels and Rogers.

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Kick the Clutter (Mostly)

Long gone are the offices of the past where every inch of wall is covered, and each drawer is a miscellaneous storage bin. The current mindset is that less is more, just the essentials, but be sure not to sacrifice function for fashion. All things in moderation, including moderation.

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Layout Logistics

A big, beautiful desk floating in the middle of an office looks great, but if you aren’t hosting in-person meetings in your home office it might not be the best floor plan for you. If you prefer to feel tucked away while you’re working, consider putting your desk against the wall.

Need a peaceful setting? Dedicate any views through the window to where you can see them. Like feeling fancy and in charge? Plant that desk right in the middle for all to see.

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Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Laptop or desktop, no matter your preference, what isn’t debatable is that wires and power cords only diminish the impact of a design. When shopping for your office, keep in mind the hardware that will likely be sitting on these pieces and their needs. Can the wires be hidden? Can you integrate a wireless charging pad? These may seem like small details but can have a major impact on the overall feel of your work space.

tasteful chandelier in stylish home office

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Lighting Matters

We all have opinions on office lighting, usually that opinion is that it’s terrible, but working from home we get to be the change we want to see. When you’re in control of the workspace design, you not only get to ditch the harsh fluorescent bulbs, but you get to flourish them with hardware that’s also easy on the eyes. Have fun with the light fixtures, as they’ll be a focal point of the room and you’ll be seeing a lot of them.

Shop Sarah’s iconic chandelier here!

Curtains drawn across the window of a home office

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Window Dressings

In your home office, controlling just how much or how little natural light you’re getting is a must, so be conscious when considering blinds. You want some that match your design, but they can’t block too much or too little sunlight.

Sarah’s pick? These neutral sheer drapes from Blinds, Drapes & Bedding.

Large potted plant and open wall shelving

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Work/Life Balance

Spending all that time working is admirable, but spending all that time in one place has its downsides. By adding plant life to your space, you create a space that changes and grows with you rather than remain the same. Consider picking up some plant pals to both oxygenate your area and bring a little life as well.

Love Sarah’s vases? You can shop for them here!

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Monochromatic Works

It’s no secret that the monochromatic look is in, and a known favourite for Sarah’s designs. When deciding on a colour scheme for your home office, less might be more. A singular cohesive colour pattern that ties a room together can add a sense of glamour and luxury. When you stick to monochromatic colours, you get to play with all the colours of the hue, without the stress of them clashing throughout the space.

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Take a Seat

The most important seat in your office will always be yours behind the desk, but that doesn’t mean that it should be the only seat. Whether it be for the rare guest, a momentary break, or unwinding at the end of the day, additional seating in your office serves a purpose. Not only will this add function, but it creates a warm and inviting space. After all, you don’t want your home office to feel too formal. Pull up this fashionable seat here!

Artistic side table and exposed wall storage

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Open and Closed Case

Storage is often the most overlooked aspect of a home office. Whatever the work you’re doing, there will always be tools specific to your trade, whether it be binders of documents or drawing tools. Some of these items may fit your design, others not so much. Having a mixture of both open and enclosed storage options within your office will allow you to utilize those items without compromising on looks. Get Sarah’s gorgeous side table here!

Stylish trinkets next to framed family photo

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The I in Design

When designing a space based on overall aesthetic, it’s easy to put blinders on and focus only on the finished look. Decorative and fashionable accents and pieces are all well and good but leave room for the things that matter to you. Photos of loved ones, a print from your favorite artist, framed ticket stubs, whatever makes the space feel like you, these are the types of things you want to incorporate into a room you’ll be in most of the time.