skip to main content

Trash To Treasure

trashy office decor

22 years ago

I have a new volunteer job once a week - I work in a continuation high school- yes, these are the kids with so many problems that they have to go to a special school.

So here's the deal- I do have an office, but I can only furnish it with things that don't matter if they are stolen, vandalized, etc. Perfect shabby chic/trash to treasure situation, because the students don't see the furnishings as valuable. So far, I have beat up but colorfully spray painted wicker chairs with pillows I made from bright cloth scraps. I didn't even sew them, just wrapped the cloth like a package over pillow forms I got at a yard sale and duct taped them on the back.

I found an old dresser drawer which I painted white and put four drawer pulls on the bottom as feet. This holds my folders. Bulletin board - a 3 by 4 foot piece of foam insulation, covered with bright gingham cloth I got free at a yard sale.

For a brochure rack: a big shutter. I taped cardboard over the back so the brochures don't fall through.

If anybody has any more ideas, please send them along. Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Carol_from_ny
22 years ago
Not sure what exactly your looking for but if your looking to get the kids attention how bout a boot for a vase or planter or a old sneaker to house some plants,some old textbooks stacked and drilled thru can be turned into a lamp. A few old doors hinged together can make a good display piece or room divider.
socks
22 years ago
Get some succulents (free, just snap 'em off, let 'em dry a couple days) and plant them is recycled containers (coffee cans or whatever).

Check out garage sales and thrift shops for stuff to sit around, posters or pictures to hang.

Good luck in your job.
Related Discussions
Help decorating a boring bedroom/office
Q
Comments (10)
Are those Venetian Bllinds? You could replace them with something less dusty-- like inside mounted washable cotton curtains. I think some smaller decor on the wall for each side of the desk window...something decorative to make the arched area more of a focal point and distract from the desk. Like a matching set of framed black and white art photos. I like a Dreamcatcher or similar macrame over the headboad but something in metal would be cute and easy to dust like this:
...See More
Help Decorate Office into Farm/Beach Theme!!
Q
Comments (13)
I like the idea of three upholstered chairs around a small round table, with your desk near the door. One of these chairs can be used at the desk when needed, as the black desk chair doesn’t suit the coastal farmhouse look. Here are some inexpensive furniture pieces, and a color palette from Studio McGee I found especially calming, so your current wall colors work very well. This art is from Etsy. Since there isn’t a window in the room, I’d go for art with a lot of sky.
...See More
Help decorating/fixing guess-room/home office
Q
Comments (14)
Small tweaks are all that is needed here. I really like the current layout. It feels spacious, easy to enter in to. The bed is pretty massive and needs to be on a big wall, where it is. It also really anchors the accent wall paper. Just pull it out from the wall about 5”. Hang the curtains wider on the wall and straight down. Tall plant feels trapped in the corner. Remove the blue chairs from the room. Place big plant there instead. Move the little pouff table next to the day bed to rest a drink or phone on when you lounge. How often do you work from that desk and is the chair good for your back? It really doesn’t look bad and I’d consider back comfort first. Remove objects above closet. All of your artwork is humg too high. Hamg so the middle of the pieces are about 56” from the ground, (Same with the pics in your hallway.)
...See More
Office decor advice, please!
Q
Comments (2)
I’m a bit confused about which area is video conferencing area. Is the bookcase the background or the area with the two chairs and the wall plaque? As you arrange his video conference should have flattering light directly on his face. No window light behind him or he will be a silhouette.
...See More
des_arc_ya_ya
22 years ago
How about some of the shorter file cabinets arranged together with a door on top for a workspace? You might mount a huge picture frame over the top. Prime a piece of plywood and then use chalkboard paint over it and place in the frame - maybe even have half of it as a corkboard for messages, etc.
toomuchglass
22 years ago
It's a shame that kids feel the need to destroy things
( MOST KIDS -- not just the 'special' kids !) LOL
You are doing a great job on making your office into a
"value-less" place and still have it designed so clever !!
I wish I had more suggestions for you .... but it sounds like you have everything covered ! Is there something else specifically you want in there ?
pajaro_gardener
22 years ago
scarlett 2001: i retired after spending almost 30 years working (happily) in a continuation high school. if i can help, e mail me. p.s. i still hear from former students
scarlett2001
Original Author
21 years ago
Many thanks to all of you who gave me such great ideas! I have used them all and it looks very nice. And nobody has vandalized or taken one thing. They seem to like to come in. It never fails to amaze me how much the work environment affects people.

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Decorate With Intention: Get Your Home Office Right

By Laura Gaskill

Help personality and productivity team up in a home office for a win-win situation

HOME OFFICES 13 Decorating Tricks for a More Pleasurable Home Office

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Use these suggestions to keep your work-from-home life from feeling like just another lousy day at the office

BUDGET DECORATING Budget Decorator: 10 Tips for a Stylish and Personal Home Office

By Laura Gaskill

Fashion an efficient and beautiful workspace on the cheap with these industrious ideas

HOME OFFICES Guest Picks: Million Dollar Decorator's Glam Office

By Valorie Hart

In Honor of the Season Finale, an Inexpensive Alternative to One of Their Pricey Designs

DECORATING GUIDES Budget Decorator: Let’s Go Thrifting

By Laura Gaskill

Dip into the treasure trove of secondhand pieces for decor that shows your resourcefulness as much as your personality

TASTEMAKERS Classic Decor Gets Its Due — in a Giftworthy Book

By Becky Harris

Entertainment and education mingle in this design reference, brimming with anecdotes, history and design lessons for today

DECORATING GUIDES Room of the Day: Redesign Energizes a Ho-Hum Office and Living Space

By Becky Harris

A couple find common ground in their combined office and living room decorated on a budget

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: How to Build a Home Office for Under $150

Outfit your home office on a budget with these desks, chairs, storage solutions, supplies and decor

0

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: A Comfy Office You’ll Want to Spend Time In

Whimsical decor, double-duty furniture and soft seating will revive the vibe in your office-guest room

0

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: 20 Fun Back-to-School Accessories

Make homework — or even a home office — more enjoyable with colorful organizers, decorations and more

Sponsored

Everingham Design

Columbus' Home Design Experts Specializing in Custom Cabinets

More Discussions

Experience with PlayerBoost

0