Look, just because you can wear your pajamas when you work from home doesn’t mean you have to work from your bedroom. And even if you _do_ have to use your kitchen or bedroom as an office, get yourself a desk or workstation. You can only write so many emails with your laptop perched precariously on a pillow fort or stack so many bills before they are covered in spaghetti sauce.

To have an office anywhere, you at least need a simple desk-and-storage solution. Writing desks, secretary desks or built-in cabinets with a fold-down surface give you a chance to fold up your work and walk away. Pick out a comfortable, ergonomic chair or stool that can roll out if need be.

Organization is an important part of an efficient workstation, but this rings double for your “non-traditional” office areas. Keep your important paperwork, files, favorite macaroni portraits and more in beautiful filing cabinets that are light-years away from those industrial metal boxes. Many of the cabinets incorporate drawers and cupboards for resourceful storage and display. Bookshelves with few canvas bins or baskets scattered among the books and picture frames can offer you even more creative storage options for smaller things like remote controls, electronic chargers for mobile device and more.

If you can have a complete room dedicated to your office, skip a dependence on overhead lighting. Use floor and table lamps to add light at different levels. Don’t be afraid to give metal a place of honor! Copper and gold lamps, frames and other accents are on-trend for 2017. Work in some houseplants to keep the room feeling fresh and light, too. Spending a lot of time in a dark, closed-in office doesn’t serve anyone. Adding literal life to a space can bring in a dynamic energy that is sure to spark your creative thinking.

Read our Office Furniture and Decor Design Guide.