Create a Customized Office Look Without Built-Ins

One of the keys to making freestanding shelving look as substantial as built-ins is to fill the wall entirely with the shelving — even if it takes more than one unit. Using three of these shelving units side by side along one wall makes them look as if they are built in. In this example, a red unit between the black ones adds visual interest and a custom look.

This office has a completely different look than the last two, but uses the same technique of flanking two taller storage units tight against either side of a center item — in this case a cabinet. The white starburst mirror adds to the cohesiveness of this grouping.

Think big and fill the wall with your storage. These free-standing shelves with incorporated desk surface were made from reclaimed, thick planks on long, threaded rods.

Repeat after me: "Fill the space."

The secret to creating a look that looks like high-end built-in cabinets is to fill the space you have as completely as possible. These freestanding shelves almost perfectly fill the niches. They could have been purchased as single units, or could have been four separate bookcases in each niche. Whatever it takes to fill that wall or niche, fill it up instead of having a too-tiny storage unit stranded in the middle of a big wall.

The attractive bins on these open shelves hold books, files and heaven-knows-what because we can't see it. Mixed in with the display items, the bins themselves become display items. A handful of books have been covered with attractive wrapping paper or wall paper. You don't need to hide books — it is an office after all — but some reference books or binders aren't all that attractive. If you are focusing on creating a very pretty space, this technique will turn your books into display items. This will work best if you have a small number of books that you can group by subject so you can remember which is which. If you need to see the titles of your books, grouping them by the color of the covers will make them look more attractive.

Some of us have odd-sized and shaped things that we need to store, so we have to think outside the box. And for creativity's sake, it can help to have those things out where we can see them instead of behind closed doors. In this office, a big cylindrical bin holds rolls of fabric. A garment rack holds paper patterns or templates. Clear plastic storage boxes keep things tidy, but visible. Black and white storage boxes on the floor at the back coordinate with the black and white ottoman in the foreground.

Storage for your tiny objects can be as simple and attractive as this shapely little organizer on top of the desk.

An armoire, a vintage chest, two floating shelves and two plastic folding tables were magically transformed into an attractive office through the use of good design principles. The armoire and chest hide all the not-so-pretty necessities. The shelves handle display duty, with desktop items coordinated by color. Notice that even though the desks are not high-end items, they still fill the space, which suggests a custom-fitted look. The shelves also fill the available wall space.

You can't talk about home office storage without mentioning IKEA. Where would the home office be without their Expedit bookshelves? Here is a very nice use of open shelving and this is what makes it work:

• It is centered on the wall and items flank both sides of it filling in the space
• The wall is painted a color so the white shelving stands out against it
• The top is accessorized beautifully — not crammed with stuff that didn't fit in the shelves — so it looks attractive and substantial in scale
• Closed storage is provided by nice-looking black and white boxes
• It is not stuffed to overflowing
• The whole office is decorated in a black and white color scheme with the patterned drapes picking up the colors in the books on the shelves.

I would love to see how you created a beautiful office space without the benefit of built-ins. Upload those photos!

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