I like the space! But you're right...it's a bit tight for all of those things.

CHAIR: My first question to you is, will someone really and truly sit in a chair while you're at the desk doing something? I don't see how a comfortable lounging chair will work there. My first thought was that since that space opens right up to the library/guest room, could you put a comfy chair in the corner of that room to where (in that first pic you show) it would be behind that right wall) they could hang out with you there instead? They'd still be right there with you...probably closer even!

The wall right behind the desk: I'd put a nice shelving unit or credenza of some sort there...something fairly tall with multiple shelves. This will allow you to put your printer on one shelf, your photos and display items on one or several and buy some attractive storage items for your misc. things like paper, etc.

Desk: I'd put a great lamp on it and get really really cute cups or vases to store the pens, scissors and get a cute stapler that's meant to be out in the open.

As for the filing. You say a large amount. Do you reference these things on a daily basis? If not and it's only pulled out every so often, perhaps you could buy some filing bins and keep these things elsewhere? I feel like you're trying to fit an entire office into a very very small space. Some things can be put in other spaces if they're not going to be used very often in that spot. For the financial file, maybe just keep this years file in a smaller filing bin with a handle and keep it on the bottom shelf?

I think a great piece of art is needed on the wall to the right of the desk!

Just some thoughts...I'll think more on it and try to come up with other ideas. These was my spur of the moment thoughts. I'm sure more will come.

Babs711, thanks so much for your thoughts. About the chair, I think you are probably right that it won't get used. I have actually have had a cheap Ikea chair in the "railing corner" for a year or so (taken out in my emptying process) and I never sit in it (the cat likes it though!). I am more likely to sit on the couch in the guest room or to lie on my bed to read. And I live alone, so you're probably right that no one will need to sit in the space while I'm at the desk (a girl can dream though). But if I don't do a chair, what should I put in that space by the railings? Nothing? Because of the railing corner it seems to call out for "something".

I like the idea of a tall shelving unit on the wall opposite the desk. I was thinking of putting a filing cabinet there but I'm worried it will look too monolithic. A shelving unit, with a couple of file boxes for current files, would probably look much lighter and more interesting. I feel like I need lots of file storage because my disorganized boxes of papers are taking up so much space in my bedroom. But the truth is that once they are sorted out, they probably aren't as huge a problem as I think.

And thanks for the tips on a lamp, desk accessories, etc. I still need to figure out a colour scheme, but that's a matter for another post.

Thank you so much! Sometimes a fresh perspective can make all the difference!

Kristina

You took great pictures. Here is what I would do:

1) Move desk all the way to the right against the wall. Place your laptop there and use a desk mat.
2) Place pictures on the wall above the desk.
3) Place a small wooden file cabinet on the left of the desk. If you can get it to be the same height as the desk, then you can place a desk lamp there and use the top for your desk items like pen/paper clip/scissor holder, stapler, etc.
4) Place a matching buffet in front of the stair railing and this area can be used to store files. If you can fit hanging file holders on the shelves behind the doors of the buffet, that would be best. This would be where your printer would be too.
5) You can have a small chair or bench to the right of the pocket doors. Looks like there is a plug there, so you could have a sconce light there for reading. You have plenty of other wall space for pictures too.

I know you'll get great suggestions and it will turn out beautiful and functional. I look forward to seeing your finished project.

Do you have WiFi in your house? if so, then get a wireless printer and put it somewhere else where it doesn't have to be out on display -- maybe on the bookshelves in the library/guest room.

For storage, how about a vintage cedar chest in the railing nook? It can be used for seating, looks good from the back as you're coming up the stairs, and can hold spare paper, files, etc.

GREAT suggestions above!!!

Lovely space!

Yes -- tall shelving unit on the wall directly behind the desk. Check Target for a unit .... use for storage ... add baskets to hold small stuff

Yes -- use the small wall to the right of the desk -- add shelves for stuff

Yes -- move the desk to the right -- and do measure the open space carefully and get a small file cabinet or holder. Even a build-it-yourself wire shelving unit at this time.

Yes -- again -- look for short shelving units OR indeed a vintage cabinet (measure, measure ,measure) in the space along the stair railings.

In the wall space at the top of the stairway -- add a family gallery wall. Black-and-white photos in dark brown frames .....

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Here is a link that might be useful: Pottery Barn -- PB frames and shelving

Thank you! Thank you!

It helps so much to have people see the space in a fresh way. I think that I get bogged down by the ways that I have used the space before and have trouble imagining new arrangements.

I moved the desk over to the right and measured the space to the railings. I do have space for a small filing cabinet there. That does seem like the best solution for files. Do you think that I should try to get a wooden filing cabinet that sort-of-matches the mahogany-colored desk? Or should I go for a contrasting finish, such as a white or sand metal cabinet? I like how the space feels light and airy and I don't want to darken it too much with a lot of dark wood (though I like dark wood furniture, which is why I picked the desk).

I didn't even know that there were such things as wireless printers! I will be buying a printer, so I will definitely get a wireless one that I can tuck out of sight in the guest room.

I've started looking around for a tall shelving unit for the wall behind the desk. It has to be quite narrow to fit. And I'm thinking that maybe something with a more open construction would be less darkening. Something like this maybe:

http://www.target.com/Dolce-Dark-Walnut-Folding-Bookcase/dp/B00005OU1Y/ref=sc_qi_detaillink

Sadly, we don't have Target in Canada.

I think that people are right that the railing nook needs something special, like a vintage chest or cabinet. It's a highly visible spot, visible from all sides. And I think that having something old in a room really makes it more personal, and less like a catalog. I'll start looking around.

And I love the idea of making a family photo gallery on the wall above the stairs. That will be a really fun project.

I guess I'm giving up on the idea of a reading chair. Maybe I will just find myself a really comfortable desk chair.

This is fun! Now I have to start tinking about colors. I want to add a rug, window treatments, accessories, etc. The walls are BM Desert Tan. The adjoining rooms might make a difference. The bathroom is neutral with celadon green accents. The guest room has slate blue walls with sand-colored curtains and rug. My bedroom is also painted Desert Tan but is otherwise undecorated. I was thinking of buying a soft sand-colored rug for the new office space and maybe bamboo blinds with cream curtains. But I am uncertain about what to use as an accent color. Maybe blue or green to pick up on the colors in the other rooms? But will that be too cool with the warm wall color?

Anyway, just thinking out loud. I love all the suggestions. Thanks!

Here is a link that might be useful: bookcase idea

I'd suggest putting lateral filing cabinets on the full wall opposite the desk. They can hold a tremendous amount of files and what you do not use for files you can use to store other office supplies. Above that I'd put a hutch--preferably open for additional storage. In the hutch shelves you can use a collection of wicker storage baskets (for magazines, papers, etc) and/or decorative boxes/magazine holders. I find that places like IKEA and Target are good for reasonably priced items. Intersperse these with some decorative items and a few plants. It helps a lot of make it look less cluttered and still more open.

Depending on cost, I'd consider even a custom piece and have it wall mounted.

My home office is custom, but one of the most useful pieces is this one on the left which I had designed myself. It holds just about everything I need.

Another option is to search around on your local Craigslist for used office furniture. Many companies are downsizing or going under and depending on your area, may be a good source for good quality used office furniture. I have found that enough filing cabinets are key to my being organized.

I second the suggestion for a wireless printer. A convenient spot for the printer would be on top of the laterial filing cabinets.

You could get an old blanket chest and add file rungs to it, to make it function as a filing cabinet. Maybe add a cushion to the top, to use as seating? I've also seen storage ottomans that have the file thingy built in.

Color wise, I like your ideas. Maybe a soft celadon green like you have in the bathroom, but with bits of rich red thrown in to give it a little boost?

I'm hot and tired, but will brainstorm more later. Where in Canada are you? I have family all over there.

Have you checked out Ikea's Billy shelving?? There may be a cabinet there that would work along the staircase railing too!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Files in the linen closet! What a good idea! I will measure when I get home. It might be too shallow. But maybe I could do it if I "dejunk" the space a bit. I could maybe keep less commonly used files in there. Thanks!

I'll look at the Ikea Billy system.

And Franksmom, I'm in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (say that three times fast!).

Kristina

ok, and if you have a common wall to the linen cabinet with outlets on it, you could have your electrician put a power outlet INSIDE the linen cabinet and put the printer in there too.

I think it's a great idea to put a little office there where it's so light and pleasant. Have you looked at the offices thread in the gallery? It's loaded with pictures of beautiful offices just waiting there to inspire you and give you great ideas.

No kidding?! I know exactly where Saskatoon is! I'm travelling to Manitoba this fall. I love that part of southern Canada. I used to spend summers there when I was a kid. I'm in Texas, where it's *still* in the 90's.

Just a quick update. I went out after work yesterday and bought a little 2-drawer filing cabinet in the same finish as the desk. It just fits in between the desk and the railings (will post a pic later) and brings a lot of file storage to my fingertips. So thanks so much for that advice.

I also talked to a friend who has a tall narrow storage unit (with shelves and drawers) that he's not using (it's in his garage), so I am going to try that in the space behind the desk (yay for free stuff!).

I am still uncertain about what to do with the "railing nook". I could add some kind of a small sideboard or dresser, which would bring tons more storage. But then the whole room would be hard, wooden surfaces (the desk, the shelves, the floor, the railings) and I'm worried that it will be a bit much. Another option is some kind of upholstered storage bench or a chest with cushions. That would add a little softness to the room, offer some storage, and be a perch for guests, etc. But I also worry that no one will ever sit on it and that it will look kind of "purely decorative." You know what I mean? I like my house to look real and liveable, not just "prettied up."

Anyway, these are the things that I am pondering. Thanks again for all your help. This is such a fabulous forum.

I can see a painted chest, or an old trunk, or something like tansu boxes that would provide storage and visual interest, without looking hard.

DH and I both work from home about 25% of the time so we know intimately the challenges of home offices. :)

Let me ask - the guest room behind the pocket door - do you ever use it as such, or is it just staged that way?

If you don't use it as such, I would turn that space into the office proper, and use the landing area for a sitting room.

Here are your wishes, and what I would do:

-- a desk to work at, with a comfortable desk chair You can combine this and the third item with a desk that incorporates a filing cabinet drawer like {{!gwi}}. Alternately, you can repurpose a large filing cabinet as a printer stand and/or pictures, like {{!gwi}}.

-- space for a printer As mentioned above - can go on either a desk or filing cabinet. I would not suggest the desk. They do take a good chunk of space, and most printers create a lot of side-to-side sway as they print (especially if you do a lot of color/art printing, which I do) which can make it hard to use the desk for other things at the same time.

-- storage for a large amount of household papers -- financial, medical, etc. See previous for integrated or separate file cabinet.

-- storage for office supplies (paper, pens, stapler, tape, etc) Easily held in desk drawer(s), or a repurposed portion of a file cabinet.

-- a comfy chair for reading, or for someone else to sit in while I am at the desk If you can use the guest room for this, easy-peasy. If not, I would place a comfortable chair under the window and use it as such. I would not want my computer monitor directly in front of a window. Aesthetically, I hate blocking windows. Functionally, it will be VERY hard on your eyes to read a monitor with bright light and/or distraction immediately behind you.

-- display for pictures of family and friends This can go anywhere, on the wall if nothing else.