Forgot to mention, the chair is one of our dining chairs and is temporary. I will be getting a new chair! Wall paint is SW Drift of Mist.

Work with the colors in the art.

you need some drama in there!!

what if you did this on the wall in back of the desk, and brought in wood shelves, or some black/white prints?

even generic white shelves w/some greenery, a colorful rug, art, will help

quick mock up. plant, shelves, bamboo shade

or do some patterned shades of some sort. you need some color and movement

want more girlie? do something like this

glam ceiling light

wood dowel plant holders. do this around the window or over the desk

top your desk w/a butcher block, go side to side (do filler pieces in white for the ends) and try some color prints, a few plants

wood shelves

vertical shiplap behind the desk, a sconce, art.

If you move the desk to one side, you could squeeze in some book shelves or open cubbies. decorate like above.

see these cubbies? squeeze in one of these. look at the colorful accessories here

Look at the ARticle loveseat sofa in one of the velvet colors.

these should give you enough ideas. like anything?

Thanks Beth! I love the idea of wood for the shelves and the drama of the back wall. I had originally planned on putting together a desk from ikea using their butcher block but I needed something sooner than that so I went with purchasing. Our rail on the stairs is stained mission oak... would i need to stick around that color or could I change it up?

Also thanks for the idea of layering rugs. I keep forgetting I can do that.

you can get butcher block counters at floor/decor or home depot. I'd float it from side to side to give you more desk space, and do some built in cubbies on the sides below the butcher block where it over hangs. great spot to put in papers or office supplies.

bad pic (and an old one) but to show you what I mean, we bought this vanity for our rental and had the granite go from wall to wall. to make it look built in, we added the little shelves on the ends

float them using cleats on the 3 sides. paint white to match.

No, your wood doesn't need to match. this room can be whatever you want.

I'd do a bold accent color or black behind the desk, wood shelves. go to a lumber yard and get your own wood boards. 1.5 X7" is about right. have them cut it to length. then just get some brackets to support them. Sand and stain and poly coat the wood.

I'd do walnut shelves and a walnut butcher block.

Here's the one from HD. if you have left over, use those scraps for the cubby shelves

cute!! idk if i would want the desk facing the wall … is there enough room to pull it back toward the window and have storage on the wall where the current desk is facing? leave the art in the wall behind you … you may_ even get a cute cabinet to make a small L shape

From someone who has worked from home for over 30 years there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Unlike many spaces in the home you will be spending 8 or more hours a day in this room and must remain alert.

It is a great space to add color that you love, splurge on some fun, colorful art over your desk area, get a comfortable chair and install good lighting. You may also want up down blinds so you can control glare. An area carpet may or may not be good, depending on how it impacts your ability to move your chair.

If hubby objects explain to him that this is your office, your space and you need to enjoy the space. He can work your job and his if he wants to take control over your work space.

@Jennifer while I don't disagree about it being my space there's no door and it's at the top of the stairs, so it is a pretty visible space. I don't exclusively work from home (thankfully) but I have a lot more over the last 2 years so I agree, I do want it to be a happy place for me. 

Good point about adding a rug though. Haven't figured out a chair but if I get one on wheels it would be a pain I'm sure.