Faced with space constraints and a tricky layout, Style at Home research editor Mary Levitski outsources the design of her home office to two highly qualified colleagues.

Handed a blank canvas of builder-basic white walls and wood-look vinyl flooring, Style at Home design editor Stacy Begg and associate design editor Morgan Lindsay had their work cut out for them. “Priority one? Visually separate the den from the rest of the condo,” says Stacy. “It needed an accent wall.” After much searching, the duo found the right fit in a bold blueprint-esque wallpaper that even my picky husband, Greg Davidovitch (the construction manager at Penguin Basements), couldn’t turn down. They further delineated the room with a large rug and a custom L-shaped desk that optically extends the line of one of the partitions.

Having crafted a box to think within, Stacy and Morgan tackled their second deliverable: The space needed to work double duty as a storage area, particularly for overflow from the adjacent cramped kitchen. Using prefab cabinetry, they erected a huge storage unit along the back wall. Two-thirds of it acts as a pantry, while the rest is dedicated to keeping work necessities handy and organized.

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4 steps to a chic and organized home office

Design challenge

I wanted to carve out a dedicated office space in my tiny one-bedroom Toronto condo. The den was the obvious spot, but it lacked size and privacy.

Image by: Style at Home By: Mary Levitski Source: Donna Griffith

4 steps to a chic and organized home office

Floor plan

Save for two slim partition walls, the eight-by-eight-foot nook had no separation from the open-concept kitchen and living area.

Image by: Style at Home By: Mary Levitski Source: Donna Griffith

4 steps to a chic and organized home office

Delineate the space

Delineate a work zone in a multi-functional open-concept living space by using a bold wallcovering.

Image by: Style at Home By: Mary Levitski Source: Donna Griffith

4 steps to a chic and organized home office

Concealed storage

Concealed within the streamlined white storage unit behidn the desk are office essentials, such as a wireless printer, various file sorters and a dictionary - an editor's best friend.  Try to situate closed storage nearby to keep your desktop clutter-free.

Image by: Style at Home By: Mary Levitski Source: Donna Griffith

4 steps to a chic and organized home office

Clever organization

Clever elements affirm the design duo's pro touch. For instance, Mason jars (chic complements to the homey live-edge-wood desk) are employed as holders for pencils and paper clips. Also, make work a little more inviting with thoughtful touches like greenery.

Image by: Style at Home By: Mary Levitski Source: Donna Griffith

4 steps to a chic and organized home office

Graphic wallcovering

If ever a man and a wallcovering were meant to be, it would be my construction manager husband and this graphic blueprint-look wallpaper design. It's all the more arresting paired with the black walnut desktop's distinct grain.

Image by: Style at Home By: Mary Levitski Source: Donna Griffith

4 steps to a chic and organized home office

Dynamic tablescape

Create a dynamic tablescape with a collection of both rustic and sleek desk accessories.

Image by: Style at Home By: Mary Levitski Source: Donna Griffith

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4 steps to a chic and organized home office

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