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Desk Styling 101: Say Goodbye to Styling Anxiety

Desk Styling 101: Say Goodbye to Styling Anxiety! There's no need to break out into cold sweats at the word "styling." You can totally create a workspace that is inspirational and yet functional with these 10 tips.

Hand me a paint brush, and I’ll paint until the cows come home.  Give me a stencil, and I won’t bat an eye.  But mention the word “styling,” and I immediately break out into cold sweats, my mouth dries up like the Sahara Desert, and I start to feel all verklempt.  (Talk amongst yourselves!)  

Am I striking a chord of resonance with any of you?

Well, lo and behold, I not only survived the process of “styling” our Roll-Top Desk, but I somehow managed to overcome some of my anxiety about it and even have fun along the way.  So, let me reassure any of you out there who might be feeling intimidated: it is possible to create a home workspace that is both beautiful and functional.  And you don’t need to be a professional interior designer either.

The #1 Rule of Styling

I hereby decree that the #1 rule of styling is that there are no rules when it comes to styling.  And you should be skeptical of anyone who claims otherwise.  Don’t mind me while I have a brief soapbox moment here….

This is an art form we’re talking about.  And art thrives best when the artist is free of constrictions and can express herself honestly.  Even if that honesty goes against the “trends” or what the “experts” say.  The best artists always pushed the envelope, didn’t they?  Vincent Van Gogh.  Edgar Allan Poe.  Billie Holiday.  (To name a few of the greats.)

So, let me rid you of your anxiety right now and say that when it comes to styling, you can’t do it wrong.  The styling police will not show up at your doorstep, guns blazing, if you chose to showcase 4 aqua mason jars instead of the customary set of 3.

I repeat: there are no rules.  So, you can relax, and give your inner artist permission to play.

Desk Styling 101: Say Goodbye to Styling Anxiety! It's time to grab your desk by the horns and style the heck out of it...like only you can do. And yes, you can do it! Here are 10 tips to kick things off....

But where to start?

Now, that said, I know how overwhelming it can be just starting off.  Where to even begin?

Well, rather than just shove you off into the void, I thought I’d share 10 tips to help you discover your own artistic path when it comes to styling.  These are not rules.  And if you start to think of them as such, I actually want you to leave my blog, and stare at a Van Gogh painting or read a Poe story or listen to Billie Holiday sing to get you back to the heart of what styling is about: being true to you.

Remember, I’m a Nervous Nelly along with you.  (Well, a recovering Nervous Nelly.)  But I know that some of these notions really helped me overcome my styling anxiety and enabled me to enjoy the process.  And I hope they’ll do the same for you.

So, with an open mind and a freedom in your spirit, let’s embark on…

Desk Styling 101

Tip #1:  Find your inspiration piece and build from there.  Last year, when I was shopping at HomeGoods for some decor items for our Rustic Nautical Master Bedroom, I came across this set of seahorse bookends that jumped into my cart and refused to be left behind.  What could I do?  I had to take them home.

And knowing that these sweet seahorses would be a centerpiece of the desk decor, I collected other items to complement them.  They were the foundation out of which the entire scheme developed.  They gave me a starting point.

A set of seahorse bookends can serve as the inspiration for an entire design scheme. Find that one special piece off of which to grow.... (Desk Styling 101: Say Goodbye to Styling Anxiety)

The first assignment in Desk Styling 101: Find that one special design element off of which to grow. –> Tweet this!

Tip #2:  Sketch out your ideas.  I don’t know if this is true for you, but I’m an extremely visual person.  I often see finished projects in my head long before executing them…and so for me, drawing out my ideas helps propel me through the styling process.

You may remember I started this practice this spring with our Rustic Vintage Spring Mantel.  And I most definitely continued it with the Roll-Top Desk.  Even though I added new elements and created more follow-up sketches, it helped to capture my wild ideas on paper as they popped into my head.  And if sketching is not your thang, you could write down a brainstorm list of ideas instead!

For instance, the plant and *old-school style alarm clock were a part of my initial sketch.  Seeing them on paper ensured they were a part of the finished look!

Sketching out your styling ideas as they pop into your head is a useful practice that will ensure that your initial vision becomes a part of the finished look! Tip #2 from Desk Styling 101 by The Thinking Closet. Great tips for overcoming styling anxiety!

Capture your styling daydreams on paper before they fly away. –> Tweet this!

Tip #3:  Choose a color palette.  Something strange comes over me when I walk into a HomeGoods store.  I suddenly lack all self-control and want to jam-pack the entire coastal decor aisle into my cart.  Even if I don’t end up taking it all home with me, I want to walk around with it in my cart for a while.  (It’s a problem.)

HomeGoods finds!

So, it really helps me to come up with a few parameters for myself when styling, and one of those is through a color palette.  It not only helps reign me in, but helps provide a unifying element for the diverse decor pieces.

Now, when it came to my color palette for the Roll-Top Desk, I tried to stick to white, metallic, cork, and clear.  Wow.  I realize that none of those are actual colors!  But you catch my drift.

Desk Styling 101: Choose a color palette from which to collect your decor; it will serve as a unifier for diverse elements!

For those who lack control in @HomeGoods, a color palette can help you focus and unify diverse decor. –> Tweet this!

Tip #4:  Play with levels.  This is a concept in theatre that crosses over into the wonderful world of desk styling.

I found that it was really pleasing to the eye to include items of different heights next to each other.  The framed printable, helix, and candles play off of each other like Moe, Larry, and Curly because they are all different heights.

Desk Styling 101: Tip #4 - Play with levels. It's pleasing to the eye! And an efficient use of space. Win-win.

The human eye likes a variety of levels. This is true in stage pictures & in desk styling….  –> Tweet this!

Tip #5:  Surround yourself with images and words that inspire.  This is a workspace after all; we want to make it as motivating as possible!

So, I was really intentional about the books I chose to squeeze in between my seahorses.  I wanted them to be books I could turn to when I need to be reminded of the things I know to be true…but all too often forget.

I also carefully chose the items I tacked on my Cork Memo Board:

  • a quote on balance by Ellen Degeneres as artfully designed by my friend across the pond, Johanna.
  • one of my favorite photos of Mark and I (or our feet rather) from our pre-dating days.
  • a snapshot of the ocean off of Hawaii.
  • a photo of Mark and me with our families on our wedding day.
  • my #1 goal for the month.
  • a monthly calendar as a way to mark the days (free download HERE).
  • a photo strip with dear friends during our trip to San Fran.
  • the sketch of my favorite aqua mason jar.

Roll-Top Desk Makeover! Such a dramatic before & after. Amazing what fresh paint and a little vision can do!

When I saw the text atop this notepad at Marshalls, I knew it had to be added into the mix as a dose of daily inspiration.

Desk Styling 101: Tip #5 - Surround yourself with items that inspire...like this notepad. Doesn't it just invite you to dream big?

And I think my most inspiring piece of all is the framed Hebrews 6:19 printable.

Such an inspirational printable of Hebrews 6:19 by Michelle Hickey of Elegance & Enchantment. Available for FREE download. "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul...."

It reads:

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul.
A hope both sure and steadfast.

Those words are pow-er-ful!  They grip me somewhere deep every time I read them.  And do you notice how it perfectly matches our bedroom colors and nautical theme?  Well, that’s because…

…wait for it…

..it was custom designed for this very desk by a very talented bloggeress and graphic designer by the name of Michelle Hickey!  (Phew.  The secret’s out!)

Michelle Hickey of Elegance & Enchantment!Do you know Michelle?  If not, then you should!  She blogs about all things crafty, wedding, and printable over at Elegance & Enchantment.

Michelle reached out to me when she discovered all of our shared connections: childhoods in New York, currently living in Florida, same age, shared love of musical theatre and chai lattes.  Essentially, she’s my long lost twin.

We decided it would fun to collaborate on a project together, and that brings us up the present!

The greatness of the gift of this printable isn’t just that she designed it for me…but she designed it for you, too!  Yes m’am, it’s available for FREE download over at Elegance & Enchantment, so take a quick moment to visit Michelle, say hi, follow her on Pinterest where she pins pretty things, add her to your bloglovin’ feed so you don’t miss any more free printables, and then come on back for the next half of your Home Styling 101 course!  Cool?  Cool!

{Psst!  Thanks again, Michelle, for sharing your artistry with us all through this inspirational rendition of Hebrews 6:19!}

Such an inspirational printable of Hebrews 6:19 by Michelle Hickey of Elegance & Enchantment. Available for FREE download. "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul...."
Click HERE to download.

Tip #6:  Include items that allow for change.  What do I mean here?

Well, the white frame, the bookends, the vase, the Cork Memo Board…they all feature items that can be swapped out for others as the seasons change or as you and I change.  This means that your styling won’t quickly be outdated; you can refresh and reinvigorate your vignettes with new elements down the pike!

You are always growing and always changing. Why shouldn't your styling do the same?

Tip #7:  Think practical.  What do you need?  Styling is all fine and dandy.  But if it’s just a pretty picture, and isn’t practical, then it will quickly lose its luster.

My practicals:

Think practical when it comes to desk styling. What do you NEED?

  • A desk lamp to light the way.

Think practical when it comes to desk styling. What do you NEED?

  • Pens and pencils at arm’s reach.

Think practical when it comes to desk styling. What do you NEED?

  • Post-its and Scotch tape.

Think practical when it comes to desk styling. What do you NEED?

  • A paper weight.  (I’ve always wanted one!)

Think practical when it comes to desk styling. What do you NEED?

  • A basket for rubbish.  (Imagine me saying that in a British accent.)

Think practical when it comes to desk styling. What do you NEED?

Avenue Six Vista Task Chair: Comfort and function all wrapped up in one!

  • Containers for precious littles like rubber bands and paper clips and of course…chocolate.  The most practical of all!

Containers for precious littles like rubber bands and paper clips and well...chocolate!

Tip #8:  Add life and light wherever you can.  I knew from the start that I wanted a plant atop my desk for that burst of life; oh the irony that my hydrangeas are actually fake!  (Which makes Mark shudder.)   But I know myself and I know my black thumb, and trust me, faux was the way to go.  (Hey, that rhymed!)

Desk Styling 101: Add light and life wherever you can.

And light?  Well, the candles help on that front!  And they smell like coconut citrus…so I feel like I’m being whisked off to a tropical paradise up in here.

Desk Styling 101: Add light and life wherever you can.

Tip #9:  Find ways to add a personal touch.  While the Cork Memo Board was initially a practical element, as I shared on Monday, I was able to incorporate the same scallop stencil from the recessed side panels on the Cork Memo Board.  And it really helped tie things all together while adding that personal touch.

And remember, the whole goal is to let yourself shine through in your styling…so don’t hold back.  This desk is yours.  Come and claim it!  #subtleLORreferencce

Desk Styling 101: Add a personal touch...like stenciling scallops on a memo board to make it your own!

Tip #10:  Don’t over-style.  I know that often, when I see an empty space, I feel the need to fill it.  However, I made a concerted effort not to go overboard with the Roll-Top Desk styling since it was important to me to have a lot of open project space on the desktop.  So, I did a few things in order to keep things from getting cluttery:

  • All of the “decorative” elements are on the “fantel” up top.
  • I only included practical items on the desk surface itself.
  • I utilized the drawers as much as possible, labeling the mini drawers with my Silhouette sketch pens for added whimsy.

Roll Top Desk Makeover: Drawer labels made with Silhouette sketch pens, to give it that handwritten look!

Roll-Top Desk Makeover! Such a dramatic before & after. Amazing what fresh paint and a little vision can do!

Desk Styling 101: store as many of your practical items inside drawers as possible. Only leave out the items you use the most so as to keep an open workspace.

Desk Styling 101: Don't Over-Style! Try to keep an open workspace with only items you use regularly out on the desktop.

Roll-Top Desk Makeover! Such a dramatic before & after. Amazing what fresh paint and a little vision can do!

And so far, it’s serving me well!  So, I’d consider this styling-mission accomplished.

And congrats to you all on your successful completion of Desk Styling 101.  Now get out there and style your heart out!

Desk Styling 101: Say Goodbye to Styling Anxiety! There's no need to break out into cold sweats at the word "styling." You can totally create a workspace that is inspirational and yet functional with these 10 tips.

Source List

I know a few of you have asked about specific items and where I found them…so I’ve included an itemized source list of each item, its price (if I found it), and link if applicable:

Fantel

  • Flower Vase: Hobby Lobby
  • Faux Hydrangeas: Hobby Lobby
  • Twin Bell Alarm Clock: Amazon
  • Seahorse Bookends: HomeGoods
  • Glass Candle Holders: Hobby Lobby
  • Darsee & David’s Coconut Citrus Candles: Hobby Lobby
  • Helix: Marshalls
  • White 8″ x 10″ frame with 5″ x 7″ matte: Marshalls
  • Hebrews 6:19 Printable: Elegance & Enchantment Blog – FREE download

Desktop

Floor

The Roll-Top Desk Makeover Series

This post concludes my four-part series covering our Roll-Top Desk Makeover.  Thanks everyone for coming along for the ride!  I’ve had a blast.

Desk Styling 101: Say Goodbye to Styling Anxiety for Good!

Feel free to mosey on back through the series to check out any posts you might have missed.  Over and out!

Plus, you can see the other dramatic transformations of our Rustic Nautical Master Bedroom Makeover:

*Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase after clicking through, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thanks for helping to support this site!

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31 Comments

  1. What a beautiful desk! It’s and organized beauty. Styling is hard for me but I keep trying. Thanks for all your tips. I will be sure and try them out with the hopes of ridding myself of styling anxiety.

  2. I love how organized you are with your styling, styling has never scared me but I hate to throw anything away and end up styling with knick knacks from 10 years ago… it doesn’t help that my hubby has decided he wants to proudly display his great-grandmas figurines in our office. Your desk looks calm and put together, love it!

    1. Thanks, Betsy. It has definitely been a process. I have a kick-knack vein, too, but I found that I DO feel much calmer in environments that are less cluttered or where the objects serve some intention – – even if that intention is purely for beauty or enjoyment! Happy styling to you.

  3. Hi!
    I love the post, you decorated your work station so tastefully! I was wondering if you could tell me where you bought your desk from.
    Thanks,
    Tricia

    1. Thank you, Tricia! It was a hand-me-down gift from my in-laws. They purchased it in Ohio; I believe that the “WINNERS ONLY” emblem on the front is representative of the company that made it. You can read a bit more about the backstory of the desk here. {I recommend checking consignment shops and Craigslist if you’re in the market for one.}

  4. Pinning this for when I have to style a surface. I think your tips would also work for a room. I like the idea of having a bit of whimsy, which those bookends provide…and that little clock is adorable! I’ve downloaded that printable scripture, too!

  5. Oh gosh. I love the white desk with the pop of colors in the drawers. My husband has moved out of the office into the barns man cave. I just brought an old desk in to set up the other side as a craft space. Now, I want to paint and redo the whole room!

  6. This is gorgeous and it came along at just the perfect time. I have a similar desk as yours that’s oak. The wood is beautiful but I need to brighten up my workspace and I’ve been putting it off. I now have my inspiration. Now I just need to do it. I found your wonderful styling tips through Michelle’s lovely Hebrews 6:19 printable post that she shared at Project Inspire{d} and I’m so glad to have gotten inspired by you both.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    p.s. I get verklempt as well when it comes to styling…I over think it and then get overwhelmed and just throw my hands up. I loved the talk amongst yourself mention…I used to say that all the time! 😉

  7. It’s as if you were inside my head while I was being a Nervous Nelly. I’m super comfortable with tablescapes but anything else and I’m a bag of nerves. Thanks for the pep talk. Now where did I put that 4th mason jar…….

  8. Love your process, love the end result! It’s clean, organized, personal and beautiful all at once. Nicely done. And as for whether you’re striking a chord of resonance with any of us… big time! Especially with this: “I start to feel all verklempt.” I’m a New Yorker too. We’ll have coffee, we’ll talk… 😉

  9. Your styling is absolutely fab, my friend! And my favorite tip is #2 – sketching out ideas is so super helpful! I also love that you included a spot for chocolate! You’re a girl after my own heart, err, sweet tooth!!

  10. Yay so glad you wrote a post on your styling!! It’s just so beautiful all the little touches you added are perfect. I really can’t decide what area is my favorite, they all look great. I need to you come over and help me style now! 😉

  11. I cannot tell you how beyond happy & delighted I am that my little printable and terribly scrawling handwriting has made an appearance here… like, I may just fall over from all the warm fuzzies that are buzzing around inside of me right now! I know this is supposed to be all about your fabulous desk (and it is OH SO FABULOUS), but just seeing that someone likes a gift you sent them is.. I don’t know, it just makes me really happy.
    But enough blabbering on – I am looking forward to using your wonderful tips to re-decorate my desk once I put it back up in my room. I may need to email you anyway, because I have some furniture makeovers in mind, and well, you’re obviously the expert! I’ll keep you posted.
    Big hugs! xxx

  12. Your styling looks great!
    I also have a desk with a shelf on top, kinda like yours and try to decorate it. Most times it looks okay, but there is just not enough space on my desk, so it always get cluttered. Boo! And that I had this awesome idea to add some green (aka. a flower) to it, when I found this pot that had the perfect color-combo. And? Turns out my computer produces too much heat for a flower. It’s dead after a month 🙁
    I hope, yours is living a bit longer!!

    Love, Midsommarflicka

  13. Oh my goodness Lauren, you have no idea how excited I am to start doing things like this with Ben for our home when we’re married! Love it!! (and you!)

  14. OMG I haven’t even made it past the first paragraph because I’m going crazy with how awesome you are! We are kindred spirits, you and me. The Coffee Talk reference!? Yep. Use it ALL. THE. TIME. BAHAHAHA!!! “A peanut is neither a pea nor a nut. Discuss.” LOVE YOU!!! See you Saturday! WOOT WOOT!

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