Unfortunately, when it comes to the way your shared office at work looks, you don’t have much of an authority to make a change. But when it comes to the design of your home office – you’re the boss that makes all the calls. So, if you find yourself drawn to the way offices in the sixties were styled in, or are simply a huge fan of Mad Men – there’s nothing stopping you from recreating that exact look. Australian furniture stores offer an abundance of mid-century bookshelves, chairs, desks and other pieces to help your home office look like a place where Don Draper would brainstorm ideas over a drink. Let’s look at some of the steps to help you create a mid-century style office that will get you excited and motivated to work.

Use Mid Century Bookshelves to Keep Clutter at Bay

Home offices are infamous for easily getting cluttered with folders, books and documents. But since the home office is a room that’s usually closed to guests, many don’t worry whether it’s messy or not. But even though other people won’t see your mess, allowing things to pile up on your desk can badly impact your productivity.

What’s more, a cluttered office goes against the very principles of mid-century design. As you know, mid-century and Scandinavian style share similar traits, and the love for simplicity, minimalism and order is one of them. With that being said, it’s important to have your things neatly organized and stored away. And one of the best ways to do so is to use a mid century bookshelf.

Depending on your needs and tastes, there are a number of mid century bookshelves designs to choose from. For instance, you can go for a traditional bookcase with evenly spaced shelves and a closed-back frame. But there are also mid century bookshelves with funkier designs like for example, cube bookcases and modular units cubby-like storage spaces.

There’s also the material to think about. Mid century bookshelves are available in a variety of materials, but if you want something lasting and beautiful – opt for some type of rich hardwood. For instance, solid oak has an attractive natural wood grain finish and is also known for its exceptional quality. In addition to oak, maple, walnut and teak are also good choices.

Besides serving as file cabinets and storage spaces, a mid century bookshelf can also be a great way to nestle some decorative items and framed family photos. After all, you don’t want your home office to be too serious, but placing décor on your desk will only clutter it up. By using a bookshelf for decorative purposes, your desk will remain free for the task you have presently at hand, and the lack of distractions can help you focus better.

What’s more, if you aren’t lucky enough to have a separate room function as your home office, and need to take care of work matters in the living room or bedroom – a bookshelf can serve as a room divider. With the help of a chunky bookshelf, you can separate your home office space from the rest of the room and give yourself some privacy.

Go for a Retro Colour Palette

One of the most recognizable aspects of mid-century style is its unique colour palette. While Scandinavian uses palettes where neutrals dominate, mid-century is quite the opposite. To capture the essence of the mid-century era, use colours such as burnt orange, avocado, mustard and baby pink. However, these colours can sometimes be overwhelming and make it hard to concentrate. For that reason, contain them to the smaller office details – like for instance, pictures, ornaments, seat cushions and pillows. These pops of colour may be all you need. To balance these colours out, use furniture in brown and other warm, earthy tones.

Don’t Overlook Greenery

Every office will benefit from a dose of fresh and vibrant greenery. Not only do plants help keep clean the air, but they are also known to have a positive effect on our mood. Even looking at pictures of greenery can make us happier. In addition, some plants can also bring a vintage mid-century vibe to your office, like for instance a Snake Plant, Spider Plant, Rubber Tree or Fiddle Leaf Fig. On the other hand, cacti and succulents are more appropriate for modern offices, and bamboo just screams ’90s.

Designate a Lounging Spot for Time-Off

Some of the best ideas often come when you relax and allow your mind to wander. Whether it’s a chunky armchair or a comfy, upholstered sofa, a dedicated lounging spot will help you destress and refresh your thoughts so that you can get back to work with a clearer mind. To really pay homage to the mid-century era, you get an Eames lounge chair which is one of its most iconic designs. While the original may cost a small fortune, there are many affordable replicas that have the same mid-century appeal for less.