If you work from home you want a space that's functional yet doesn't keep out of step with the decor in the rest of your home. You need storage (and lots of it!), a great filing system, a desk that's practical and pleasing to the eye, and a comfy chair that doesn't look clunky and corporate. While it may seem like a long wishlist, it's something you can create in your own home quite easily.

We tracked down four stylish office spaces, one of which you can see here, to find out how the owners resolved their organisational and aesthetic needs. And while each person created their own solutions, they've done it within an entirely different look - from Scandi-inspired space, to faded grandeur with modern industrial and a touch of glamour in between.

Industrial designers/Polli: Tess Lloyd and Maja Rose

The two wooden coffee tables are salvaged factory pallets, framed in metal. The chunky bookshelf acts as partition between the living room and the bedroom.

Starting point

A former ginger beer factory in Sydney's Annandale, the space had orange walls and orange lightshades.

Changes

Installed some walls, lights and ceiling fans, and painted the walls white.

Practicalities

Tess and Maja, the designers behind Polli (Polli.com.au), create jewellery and homewares, so when they moved into this industrial studio they wanted to create different work zones. "The space is much more ergonomic with tall benches for standing tasks and lower tables for sitting tasks," Tess says. "We have ergonomic chairs and proper task lighting. These simple changes have increased efficiency and made it a much more positive work environment.

Check out this month's real living to discover the remaining three office inspiration ideas.