I love my iMac, I really do. I love my MacBook too but my iMac is where all of this blogging magic happens. Plus, I’m a sucker for big screens, and working in a pretty home office keeps me inspired and I like having all of my “work stuff” within reach. Also, have you ever tried working on a MacBook with a curious toddler around? Yeah, you will get nothing done because while mine is used to seeing me at my desk by now, the minute I flip open the laptop on the dining room table, she’s all, Oh, what’s going on here? Perhaps I should sit in your lap and strike keys as I try to “help” you work. Granted, it’s the cutest thing ever but a completely inefficient work method.
The challenge with having a big black screen on your desk, however, is that it’s a big black screen and a huge focal point of any work space so how do you dress the wall space behind it? Ideally, of course, you would decorate in a way that compliments the rest of your space and makes the iMac feel like its a design feature and not just an unfortunate choice driven by desire/need. I’ve seen lots of beautiful work spaces on Pinterest where the dainty MacBook is the star of the show because it leaves so much more room visually, but I had to really search for inspiration when it comes to decorating around an iMac. Below, I’ve rounded up 7 fabulous ways, and 11 inspiring work spaces, that will show you how to dress the wall behind your iMac to create a perfectly chic vignette and a pretty and inspiring home office you’ll love!
Let’s get to it, shall we?
Perfectly minimalist : A simple wooden ledge to hang prints from is all this Scandinavian home office needs. Via Coco Lapine.
Continuing the minimalist Scandinavian vibes, this calm and oh-so-soothing grey, white and birch work space simply has a wooden bead garland as decor hanging above the desk. Via Vakre.
I happen to really love this space on the left. Not just because its light, bright and white, but because of the little chalkboard rectangle painted behind the desk. Of course! In my mind, everything is usually go-big or go-home so all I could envision is an entire chalkboard wall but this is a perfectly stylish solution if you’d rather not go full-on. Of course, if full-on is your style, the office space on the right is beautiful too! L: Via Homedit // R: Via Best Friends for Frosting
Placing the computer off to the side vs. the center of your desk opens up a world of decorating possibilities like this washi-taped gallery wall. The little stick-on calendar to the right is perfectly handy too. Via Glam Observer.
Alternately, you could try hanging oversized art above your desk. This would be especially great if you have high ceilings and want to make lots of impact on a small budget (3 frames vs. an entire gallery wall, kwim?). Plus the fact that its oversized means you would still the majority of the art behind your big screen. Via House Mix Blog.
This little asymmetrical home office vignette is basically perfect. Varying the heights of the vases on the desk and hanging a mix of art and objects above the desk takes it from ordinary to interesting. (I’m also coveting that chair big time.) Via Advice from a Twenty Something
How about a simple pin board full of inspirational images instead? Cork board would work wonderfully too. Via The Everygirl.
Shelves above the desk: super handy and great for everything from holding office supplies to fun trinkets. What I really love about this space is how together, the art print on the left and the shelves, draw your eye in a diagonal down towards the iMac so it’s not the first thing your eyes see. Via The Design Chaser
Another great example of using art and book shelves together above the iMac to create a great vignette. Via Lowe Home
And lastly, if multiple shelves aren’t your thing, just hang one shelf centered above your desk, add greenery and complimentary mid-century decor and you’re all set! I love this cute little space. (P.S: I also think that finding two home offices with the exact same chair from West Elm is a sign that I must order that chair immediately!) Via New Darlings
And finally, I saved my favourite option for last: Ok, I know this desk doesn’t show a computer but I think adding a pop of colour would work fabulously with an iMac too! This is my top choice for my own work space although I might just choose to paint a piece of card stock and hang it on the wall vs. painting the actual wall. That way I can swap it out for another look when I tire of this one. Now to find the right shade of pink…
Via The Design Villa
To sum it up nicely, here are the 7 fabulous ways you can dress the wall behind your iMac:
1. Use a simple picture ledge to hang art and important notes and reminders,
2. Hang a wooden beaded garland for whimsical decor,
3. Paint a chalkboard rectangle behind your desk, or, if you have the space paint the entire wall,
4. Hang a gallery wall with washi-tape, oversized art, or a mix of art and objects,
5. Design a simple pin board full of inspiring images,
6. Hang bookshelves for functionality and display, and finally,
7. Paint a coloured patch behind your computer to add a dash of sass to your workspace!
So tell me, do you have an iMac (or a large screen computer of any other kind ;)) and how have you decorated around it?
I love all of these. Not a Mac person but these options would work great in any office!
You’re totally right, Kesh! 🙂 Any space with a big screen monitor would face the same tricky design dilemma.
How many beautiful rooms, sometimes I think one office corner is not enough!
I don’t have an iMac, but I understand why you love it. I opted for a MacBookPro, and I hope to buy a new one, soon because it’s getting a bit old 🙂
All Macs are beautiful! 😉 And I totally agree! So much inspiration everywhere- Pinterest has spoiled us all for choice, don’t you think?
I love what you did with your space. My dream workspace has an iMac, I’ll get there one day. I’m so inspired to revamp my space and make it more functional and beautiful. Lovely post!
Thanks so much, Sharae! I’m so glad I was able to provide inspiration! Please let me know when your space is updated- I’d love to take a look. Oh, and iMac’s are lovely but I bet you could make a different computer look just as lovely with your decor. Xo
The design by Design Villa is really awesome, I would like to try that one. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you liked it, Clara!