5 Tips for Creating a Relaxing Farmhouse Style Office—From a Pro

Create a Calmer Desk

Styles knew exactly the type of office she wanted. "I wanted to reinvent my little corner of the office as an earthy, bohemian space with cozy textures that made me want to curl up at my desk, kick off my shoes, and dive into work," she explains.

And if your office is making you feel overwhelmed, reimagining the desk is a top priority. If it's cluttered (or just plain sad), it likely isn't a great workplace. Instead, follow Camille Styles' lead.

"I like to keep the surface of my desk clean and organized with a few inspiring touches," she says. "A cup full of good black pens makes me feel ready to take on the day, and I've always got a notebook or two for jotting down inspiration, a great scented candle with matches, my headphones for when I need to work without interruption, and a big carafe of filtered water that I fill up every morning to refill my glass and stay super hydrated throughout the day."

Even if you only have a cubicle, you can still incorporate a carafe of water or a fruit-infusing water bottle into your daily work routine—who knows, it may make your desk feel a little more like a spa.

Start an Inspiration Board

Bulletin boards can help you organize—or dream—but can also look untidy. "I love having mood boards in my office with images of things that are currently speaking to me," says Styles. "But in the past, they've always ended up feeling kind of messy."

That is, until she found the perfect frames at Target. "These white wood framed boards are perfectly in line with the style of my office, and the frames keep the images feeling more contained and thoughtful," she explains.

If you have your own office, hang the boards up on the wall, or if you're in a cubicle, lean them along the back of your desk. Either way, surrounding yourself with images, quotes, or designs you love will keep you motivated.

Choose Soothing Colors

Pick a color palette that makes you feel calm. For Styles, that meant adding a thick coat of white paint to the shiplap in the office (believe it or not, the shiplap was original to the building, discovered underneath the drywall!). Neutral decor and wood and white furniture keep the palette soothing while minimizing visual distractions in the space.

In your own space, pick colors that match the mood you want to set while working, whether relaxed, motivated, or creatively inspired. Soft whites and pale blues can be calming, while green could spark creativity, according to experts who study color therapy.

Don't Forget the Plants

Plants breathe life into a space, so it's a quick way to perk things up in an office that can easily feel stale or boring.

"We chose easy-to-grow varieties that like lots of light since this room is all windows, and—pro tip—we added a few of Target's great faux plants, too, like this fiddle leaf fig. When mixed with the real, you can't tell which is which!"

Above all, choose plants that work for your workspace. If you're afraid you won't remember to water them often, opt for succulents. If you have a cubicle with zero sunlight, faux plants are the fix!

Make Space for Self-Care

The mental health of her team was also on Styles' mind. "Self-care is an idea that should be part of our work lives, too," says Styles. "It's really important to me that our office be filled with good energy and happy vibes."

Besides encouraging her team to take breaks and enjoy lunches away from their desks, the office decor itself could inspire more self-care. "Cozy throws, big cushions, and a plush shag rug are so inviting that I'll happily get down on the floor to stretch it out or take a few minutes to curl up and meditate!"

In your office, even tossing a comfy throw blanket over the chair and turning on a meditation app can help make it a more positive space to work.