How to Decorate a Desk in a Bedroom: Stylish Tips for a Productive Space

Striking the perfect balance between style and productivity can be a challenge, especially when your desk is tucked into your bedroom! With a few clever ideas, you can turn your workspace into a chic and functional spot that gets the creative juices flowing without cramping your style. Let’s dive into how to decorate a desk in a bedroom and make it a space you’ll love to spend time in!

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Desk Goals: Bedroom Edition

Let me take you back to a little project I once took on with an old vintage desk—well, it was really more of a table. But when I first saw it…I thought it would make such a charming writing desk.

This piece had been sitting in my basement for far too long, begging for some TLC. So, one day, armed with a can of paint and a brush, I gave it new life with some black paint. 

The perfect home for this repurposed beauty? A dormer nook in an upstairs guest bedroom. 

It’s a small space, but it has great natural light, and the cozy feel made it ideal for creating a quaint, yet functional, desk area. 

Now, whenever guests stay, they have their own little work nook complete with a view—and the softest throw blanket draped over the chair for extra comfort.

This transformation got me thinking: decorating a bedroom desk can be fun and functional, even in the most unusual spaces. 

So I am sharing this space transformation from a basic table to a beautiful and functional desk space. These ideas will for just about any bedroom desk space.

Whether you’re outfitting a spare bedroom or creating a dedicated workspace in your primary bedroom, here are some stylish tips to help you make the most of your desk space—without sacrificing style!

Choosing the Right Kind of Desk for Your Space

Before you start decorating, let’s talk about the most important part: the desk! 

The kind of desk you choose depends on the space you have, and let’s face it, sometimes it feels like there’s not enough space anywhere! 

But this is when you start to think outside the box. Whether you have an entire room or just a corner desk in a small bedroom, there are plenty of options to make your desk both stylish and functional.

If you’re working with a smaller bedroom, consider a slim desk that won’t take up too much floor space. 

A corner desk can be a great idea for using up those tricky nooks that often go underutilized. 

Even a tiny vintage desk can be an excellent choice for storing desk supplies. From embossed stationery to extra charger cords, a small desk can be a huge help with storage. Plus, they tend to be compact but full of character!

My DIY desk nook, for instance, turned a forgotten dormer into an ideal spot for a basic writing table. It offers plenty of natural light and a cozy, productive atmosphere….and the table just fits!

Thankfully, my writing desk has a drawer that is perfect for some storage.

If you’ve got a dedicated workspace in a primary bedroom or spare room, you’ll have a bit more flexibility. A larger desk with ample space for your office supplies, important documents, and even some decor is a great place to start. 

Just be sure to balance out your floor plan. You still want any bedroom to be a place of calm space where you can relax and unplug.

So look for a dedicated space that doesn’t take over the entire room!

Styling Your Bedroom Desk Space for Function and Flair

Now that you’ve chosen the kind of desk, it’s time to get creative! 

It’s tempting to turn your desk space into a Pinterest-worthy design showcase…and why not?

But don’t forget: it still needs to be a functional workspace. Styling a desk that looks amazing while still offering extra storage space is easier than you think.

Let’s start with the basics: a desk lamp. Lighting is crucial for productivity, and a stylish lamp can double as decor.

I love placing lamps and other decorative items on top of a stack of books for height. These books got a little makeover after I made book covers from leftover wallpaper.

 If your desk is by large windows or has lots of natural light, that’s a great way to reduce the number of lamps you need, leaving more available space for decorative touches.

Checklist for Choosing the Best Desk Lamp

• Adjustable Brightness: Look for a lamp with dimmable settings to control the lighting level.
• LED vs. Traditional Bulbs: Choose LED for energy efficiency and longer-lasting light.
• Adjustable Arm or Head: It’s nice if the lamp can be angled or moved to direct light where needed.

• Light Color Temperature: Opt for warmer light for a cozy feel or cooler light for productivity.
• Size and Scale: Make sure the lamp fits your desk size without overwhelming the space.
• USB Ports or Wireless Charging: A lamp with built-in charging options is a great multitasking tool.
• Design and Style: Pick a lamp that complements your room’s decor and aesthetic.

Next, tackle the challenge of storage solutions—especially for small spaces. 

Remember…storage can be stylish!

Baskets, decorative trays, and stylish boxes are an effective way to store office essentials like pens, notebooks, and paperclips, without sacrificing your modern aesthetic.

Think outside of the box…

I used a votive candle holder for my pens. I love how the glass catches colors and light from around the room!

There are lots of ways to keep your desktop tidy and looking stylish.

Storage Ideas for a Bedroom Desk

• Desk Drawer Organizers: Use trays or dividers to separate pens, paper clips, and other small items.
• Floating Shelves: Install shelves above the desk for books, decorative boxes, or baskets.
• Magazine Holders: Great for organizing notebooks, folders, and planners vertically to save space.
• Drawer Units on Wheels: Add extra storage under your desk that can be moved as needed.
• Cable Management Box: Tuck away messy cords in a sleek cable organizer for a tidy look.
• Storage Baskets: Place baskets on shelves or beside the desk to store larger office supplies.
• Pegboard or Wall Grid: Hang office supplies like scissors, pens, and sticky notes on a wall-mounted board for quick access.
• Desktop File Organizer: Keep important documents in easy reach with a stylish file holder.

These storage solutions will keep your desk area neat, organized, and efficient!

Occasional Desk or Primary Home Office?

When deciding how to decorate a desk in a bedroom, it is a good idea to remember the primary function of the space. Is this a bedroom desk for guests or is this your primary home office space?

If you’re working in a spare bedroom or guest room, the goal is to keep things versatile. 

The desk in a guest bedroom doesn’t need to be fully equipped for a corporate CEO’s home office—just make it comfortable and functional for light use. A writing desk is often the best choice for these rooms because they offer enough space for tasks without overwhelming the floor plan.

For example, a desk pad (check out my DIY desk pad tutorial HERE), a small throw blanket on a comfy desk chair, and some basic office supplies like pretty pens and sticky notes make a great idea for guest spaces.

Adding a card with the Wi-Fi password, extra phone or laptop chargers, and even a small basket of local brochures or snacks is a thoughtful touch that will have your guests feeling right at home.

On the other hand, if you’re creating a home office space in your primary bedroom, a more defined dedicated work space is needed. 

Here, you’ll want ample space to spread out and get your best work done. Consider adding a corkboard or whiteboard to the wall above your desk to organize important documents or a stylish calendar to keep track of deadlines.

And don’t be afraid to invest in a high-quality desk chair—comfort matters when you’re sitting for long hours!

If your small room requires furniture to do double duty, a dressing table can easily become a home office desk with a little creativity. Add a desk lamp and some storage solutions like trays or boxes, and you’ve got a functional workspace that still maintains the room’s original purpose.

Personalizing Your Bedroom Desk: A Few Design Ideas

Adding personal touches to your desk space can make it feel like a natural part of the room, rather than a random afterthought. 

And remember, minimalism is your friend. You don’t need to clutter your desk area with every decorative object you own. Choose a few key pieces that inspire you—a framed quote, a small potted plant, or a decorative clock. 

Here are a few design ideas to keep your space looking polished yet practical:

• Color Coordination: Match your desk decor with the rest of the room. Whether it’s a modern aesthetic or a more eclectic style, tie in the color palette for a cohesive look.
• Plants: A small plant or two is a great idea to liven up your desk area. Choose something low-maintenance like a succulent or a snake plant for an added boost of nature without the fuss.
• Artwork: Whether you frame family photos or add prints, artwork can transform a functional work area into a dual-purpose space that’s both productive and inspiring.

If you’re feeling crafty, check out my DIY desk pad project for adding some personalized flair to your desk while protecting its surface—it’s one of those small things that make a big difference.

Guest Bedroom Desk Essentials

For those of you with a guest bedroom, here’s a quick list of things you might want to have on hand for your guests’ desk needs:

• Extra charger cords for phones or laptops.
• A small tray with office supplies (pens, notepad, etc.).
• A card with the Wi-Fi password.
• Local brochures, snacks, or a welcome note in a small basket.
• A throw blanket draped over a cozy desk chair.

These small touches make the desk area welcoming, while still leaving plenty of room for your guests to use the desk space effectively.

Whether you’re transforming a small desk in a small bedroom or setting up a dedicated workspace in a larger spare room, a well-styled desk is the perfect way to elevate any room feel.

With these tips, you can create a stylish and functional workspace that complements the entire room, no matter how much available space you have.

Maybe you can write me a letter? Or, share your new stylish space in the comments below…all from your decorated bedroom desk!

Cheers!

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