Home office decor does not have to be all stuffy and serious. By adding some vintage items into your office decor you can give it a bit more personality. A bit more spunk.
Now, there's a few rooms in my home that I rarely show on my blog and my home office is one of them. Not because I don't love it, but because it's really really hard to photograph.
Not to be a whiner or come off as ungrateful (I love having my "own" space), but it's a loft area looking over our master bedroom and it gets almost no natural light (I'm secretly a vampire).
Plus it's a very small room with no way of photographing the entire thing at once without levitating above the bedroom (I may be a vampire, but I am no ghost).
But I dragged my photography lights up there and managed to get some photos the other day and wanted to show you what it looks like. I'm hoping it may give you some ideas of how you can decorate your home office with vintage style.
Because there's no sense having a boring office (or craft room or studio) if you're going to be spending any amount of time there.
Home Office Decor: Vintage Style
I've got a thing for vintage typewriters so I decided to display some of them in my office.
This is my Smith-Corona Galaxie.
A 1937 green Royal Portable.
And my 1925 Royal typewriter who is named Kate (I bought her about the same time that William and Kate got married and since it was a Royal . . . ).
You've seen the red toy box on the floor before when I used it for a Christmas tree holder in my Vintage Christmas Decor post.
I just couldn't possibly decorate my office without a little Thermos love. It's not my entire collection, but a nice sampling.
And of course a few wooden picnic baskets (mostly Redmon brand)
and some picnic tins.
The tin basket with fruit on it was bought brand new at World Market a few years ago. They don't currently carry it online, but if they ever bring it back, I'll let you know.
All 3 of these baskets are Redmon picnic baskets. I love their fancy weaving patterns!
This is Nurse Sandy who wrote a guest post on my blog a few years ago. She managed to keep it PG-rated, so all was good.
The cubbies are from my Drawers Turned Cubby post from many, many years ago. And they are literally drawers turned cubbies, no huge tutorial needed on that one.
This is the same rotating bin I showed you in my Industrial Rotating Hardware Bins For Less post. I found it at Harbor Freight and keep meaning to go back and buy a few more. It comes in so handy for storing little bits and bobs.
So let's summarize:
- Vintage is good.
- Home office decor does not have to be stuffy and serious.
- Show some of your personality when decorating your home office, craft room or studio.
- Typewriters look good in an office setting (who knew).
If you're interested in what's in all those picnic baskets, tins and other assorted goodies pop over to my Home Office Organizing: Vintage Style and take a peak inside!
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
This is such a nice space, Pam! I love all of your vintage goodness...Kate is amazing. The drawers as cubbies and the picnic baskets for storage is so smart. My favorite is how you styled the little ladder in the corner...it just made me SMILE. And it is so neat and usable!
Pam
Thank you Linda! I had to do a huge purging/cleaning spree a few weeks ago to get it back in order. I had let some "stuff" accumulate over the last few months and it felt so good to get things back in their rightful spots.
Bonnie Schulte
Your office is amazing. Your collections of vintage items had me at "hello". I even have the black and white magnetic dogs. one of my toys from way back. I have vintage cameras I've collected over the years, old toys, dolls, books and a few paper dolls from my childhood. Small items ( Cracker Jack charms) in frames, and recently rhinestone pins and necklaces, collected from antique shows in the last couple of years. I Like to display all of it in my office/studio/library, room of everything. One great item I love in your office is your radio. Ive been looking for one similar. Does it still work? Either way, it's a great piece. When we moved (downsized) 4 years ago, I sold 2 typewriters (yep Royal). Looking at yours, makes me so sad I sold them. But I do not have room for everything. Again...your room and items in it are wonderful, what a great space to have. Oh, P.S. say Hi to Nurse Sandy. She is looking pretty spiffy...
Pam
That radio is a reproduction that I bought at Odd Lots/Big Lots a few years ago. It's actually a clock radio alarm clock. But yes, it still works 🙂 I'm so excited you liked the office tour!
Amy
I LOVE IT. Your space is great. I don't have a space yet, and yes, I am whining. I will keep your room in mind when I finally have a little spot carved out for me. Thank you.
Bev
This is wonderful! I love it! It's like a walk through my childhood, & I used that exact green cursive letter chart when I taught school. I'm a thermos & picnic basket collector. They remind me of fun times. That big, old black Royal typewriter is just like the one my parents bought used in 1940 when they got married. Can you believe they were so cheap they made me use it all through high school! I don't think they ever bought a new ribbon. When I left for college, I said I HAD to have a new, portable typewriter. Thanks for showing us so much fun.
Pam
I'm glad you enjoyed it! I would love to see some photos of your thermoses and picnic baskets some time!
taryterre
Your office is charming. I love all the cameras and typewriters.
Marty Oravetz
I love it all, especially those typewriters. I bet I have typed a million miles on one of those.
Pam
I always think of all the fingers that were harmed by them. Or maybe it was just me, but the one I used to use when I was a kid was sort of like the big old black one and there was too much space between the keys. I used to get my fingers stuck in it all the time 🙂
Patty Soriano
I see a trip to Harbor Freight in my future!
Pam
Aren't those bins cute! I think they're normally $19.99, but Harbor Freight ALWAYS has %-off coupons online you can print out and take with you.
Naomi S.
Pam, I enjoyed the tour of your little office. It looks very well organized and I love all the interesting items you have on display.
I have an office in one of the small bedrooms in my small ranch, but it presently not in very good shape in terms of organization. I need to get rid of a LOT of papers, papers from years back that I do not need to be giving space to. Due to other responsibilities I have little time to spend doing the cleaning out and organizing. I do have some of my favorite things in this office, though. I have designated it my 'Southwest Room' and have all of my Native American and Southwestern collection in the room. Granted, they are not displayed exactly like I would like them to be, but I have hope that they will be sooner than later!
Thanks for showing your office and how organized it is possible to be in a small space. Inspires me to get busy and get my office put right!
Pam
I find that paper is the hardest thing to sort through. And the most boring 🙂 My entire desk is filled with files and then I have two storage file boxes with stuff (underneath that long table thing). 90% of it has to do with my son's disabilities so I don't think I can actually weed much out, but I'd love to be able to scan it all onto my computer. Of course that would take FOREVER!
Jeanie
I love it!! You have some great antiques!!
Fonda Rush
I love to see other people's studios/work spaces. We all do it differently, and they all work for us! I can't wait to see what you're hiding in those things that can hold stuff. My studio is a mess right now, so it's time to get it functional again so I can make something!!!
Tammy Hart
I love your space and all the vintage goodies that make it you. I am currently re working the basement and office spaces in our home since we are officially empty nesters. It feels weird not to consider anyone's needs and tastes but my own. I enjoy many of the same treasures as you, thanks for the great storage ideas.
Florence
Hi Pam, My office is in a loft too, overlooking our Great Room. I love those angular wall shelves & that old desk. All your collections display beautifully too. I agree with you...it's hard to photograph. Your room looks a little bigger than mine...would love to have those tables in mine. Love your space!
Melissa's Antiques
I am LOVING your office. I want everything!... especially that green Royal typewriter. *drools*
Dee
You should be stager . . . is that a real word??? You've got such a good eye for displaying and grouping items, looks like pictures out of a magazine.
Perfect little space 🙂
d woz
need a better look at that shelving above desk.
Does it go all the way to ceiling and side walls??
Vickie
Can I go shopping in your office, Pam? I LOVE the little green shelf and the green plaid tin on it! You've displayed your beloved collections to perfection and there are treasures in every corner. I'm so glad Nurse Sandy has such an inspiring place to spend her days!
Thanks for sharing and have a great week!
Cindy Keller @ MyGardenGifts.com
Hi Pam,
I think you've got real style 🙂 I do love the vintage typewriters you have and of course, the picnic baskets seem to be quite the collection! I do shop the thrift stores for vintage items to use in the home and garden. Bottles, clocks and plates of all kinds find their way in my yard or home. I think it is fun to use the old with the new...gets your creative juices moving. Sometimes, I check out the local flea markets with friends, and I've always enjoyed it. Cheers!
Jill Ruskamp
Cute space!!
Gina
The walls look white - so nice to see the crisp contrast next to the vintage - makes the vintage pop! And gave me the answer I needed for my kitchen - don't paint the oak cabs, paint the walls...And I'm going to get me one of those industrial stacking thingies - LOVE IT.
Gay Correll
Such wonderful, fun things! I am determined to cull some things out of storage to use in a purposeful way as inspired by your post. First thing on the list: those picnic baskets! I've got them! Thanks for that idea. I know what exactly I'm going to use them for, and that alone should tidy up my craft room in a big way. And I will NOT, repeat NOT use the space emptied by their removal for more stuff.