11 stylish workspaces of all shapes and sizes

An eclectic mix

With its clean industrial lines, natural materials and global accents – the distressed leather pouffe looks like it has been plucked from a Moroccan souk, while the Mid-Century-style chair is a classic – the office’s unique mix is pared back and appealing.

A basement renovation

In this basement office, a mural depicts a veiled cabin engulfed by alpine fog. The oversized desk and huge bulletin board are a great fit for the function-loving homeowner, who likes to spread out when she works.

The perfect mess

The gallery wall, covering almost every square inch of available space, features a variety of ad hoc art, from framed wrapping paper and birthday cards to homemade paintings and vintage postcards to prints collected from around the world. The desk, a former dining table, is a roadside find, and the homeowner found the rug in her parents’ basement. Modern chairs offset the traditional desk and offer a clean-lined counterpoint to the gallery wall and rug.

A cheery corner

The homeowner painted the desk and placed it under an antique window to create a diminutive craft station for her daughters. The yellow in this area veers into green territory; the homeowner's DIY artwork (plain canvases covered in vintage fabric) complement the velvet curtain she fashioned for the painted bookcase that holds all the treasured books, bits and bobs of a childhood spent at such an idyllic spot. 

Blush pinks

“Drapery that matches the wall colour creates a cozy feeling without adding pattern,” says decorator Amie Corley. “And the right pink can work in any room,” she adds, referencing the warm blush hue she selected here. “The key is keeping it from becoming too bubble gum or too Barbie.”

A wall of art

A wall of artwork offers inspiration. "Most of the art I buy is from non-professionals, and they're all fairly old pieces," says the homeowner. "For instance, I have a watercolour of the Galata Bridge an Istanbul painted by a British traveller in the 1920s. It's a very evocative painting for me."

A sunny corner

The minimalistic office nook takes advantage of a sunny corner in the master bedroom. Sunset-coloured orchids on the desk echo the shades of fall. 

Open-concept

The cozy family room, which has its own office area, is open to the kitchen so the homeowners can keep an eye on the kids, whether they’re doing homework or watching TV. 

A lively tableau

A lively tableau under the living room’s original stained glass window features the glitz and glamour associated with Hollywood Regency decor, including a gilded artichoke table lamp, a lacquered desk, a retro bamboo chair and a chinoiserie pot.

Casual den

Evoking a casual feel, the den is decked out with an antique desk and a chaise that’s perfect for watching TV.

Multi-purpose space

The cheerful space features a lounger (not shown) that unfolds into a small bed for guests wanting to spend the night, as well as this tiny office nook for anyone who has extra work to complete.