For your office walls, choose a color you can live with that won’t distract you. Make sure it’s a color that you’re comfortable with both day and night. Right now my office walls are light gray; initially they were a creamy offwhite. Boring? Yes; but, I like light neutral colors, and I perk them up with artwork. A friend painted his office walls a rich warm brown, because he prefers darker colors.

For your flooring, choose something that’s easy care and comfortable for you. You’ll be responsible for keeping your office clean. I live in New England where the winters get cold; so, I like my office carpeted. I chose a low nap maroon carpet. My chair rolls easily over the low nap; and, the dark color hides dirt. The maroon goes nicely with the mauve upholstery on my office chairs.

Windows are a blessing and a curse. They let you see the world outside; but, they can also shine glare onto your monitor. Choose window treatments that are attractive yet practical. Traditional window shades can be raised or lowered to adjust the light shining on your computer. Mini-blinds are even more adjustable, because you can angle them to let light in without having it glare on your monitor. Curtains and drapes give an office a homey look, and can also help keep your office warm in winter and cool in summer. I’ve got French doors leading outside at one end of my office. I hung maroon textured fabric drapes that I can close to keep out the summer sun, and the winter cold.

You don’t need to spend a fortune decorating your office. Paint is relatively cheap. I found my drapes at a discount store. My carpet was a remnant that was deeply discounted. Shop around. If you decide to carpet your office, try to find your carpet first. It’s easier to inexpensively coordinate your walls and windows to your carpet, than to find the right carpet for your other choices.