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Feedback welcomed on home office furniture

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

We are currently designing furniture for our basement home office that will have two desk areas along a 173 inch wall. We are having the pieces made so they can be unbolted and moved, so we can reconvert the bedroom if we sell and possibly move the furniture with us. The other smaller wall that is 53 inches will host a 48 inch printer station that includes two lateral file cabinets and a trash pull out. A nearby closet has shelving to hold paper, etc.

We looked at purchasing desks, but a local cabinet maker made office furniture for our BIL and did a great job. His quote to us is less than some lesser quality case goods we saw. I'm looking for feedback on function, finish ( a wood that will do well in a dry basement that gets cold and hot), top, and other thoughts you may have. Pics below, TIA

Above: Planned specs. My drawing. I did specify full extend drawers, reinforced drawer bottoms, interiors in bottom drawers large enough to integrate files if needed later. I have the main desk depth at 30 inches.

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Comments (4)

sreedesq
Original Author
9 years ago
I tried to post pics of the room, but I couldn't get them to post without turning the wrong way. Essentially, when you walk into the room, the wall on the right is where an existing bookcase we are using will be, a closet with shelving to store paper, etc, and the printer cabinet (53 inches is offset for the closet behind it), on the left wall is the 173 inches that is corner to corner, the wall directly across from the entry contains a wall that includes a large window and is about 11 feet wide.
ljwrar
9 years ago
Great idea to make the units breakdown for moving.
A few things to consider regarding function:
- Will the joints between the cabinets and desk tops bother you? I like laying out projects on smooth surfaces and designed my long desk top to minimize joints/maximize the smooth surface.

- Do you need a shredder? If so, you could put one on a pullout in one of the cabinets. Concealed, but easy access.

- Does 30" high work best for everyone using the desks? I am much shorter than my husband, so I lowered my desk. His is 31" high and my really long one is 27". Our desks are not adjoined, although one of my initial designs had both along one wall with a step up in the height.

Overall, the design looks functional. I like the layout.

Lisa
sreedesq thanked ljwrar
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I actually like the look of your home the way it is now. It is, however, a bit formal for my personal taste. I also really like silk fabric -- not just the feel of it but the way it hangs. I only mention the drapes because you indicated you were interested in making the room more welcoming and, at least relevant to a formal setting, I tend to equate that with making the room seem less formal. No offense intended, but the white sofa beside the silk panels tends to make the panels look a bit yellowed as if with age. Also, curtain panels of silk material in a pastel color seem (to me at least) as if they should be the equivalent of "underwear" for drapes -- used as sheers with drapes rather than used by themselves as a window treatment, at least if/when it is to be used in a living room where guests are welcomed. By themselves, I'd be more inclined to put them in a bedroom. Then, too, the color of the silk panels is "cool"; whereas, a bolder or thicker fabric could present a warmer and perhaps more welcoming vibe -- especially with all the light colored upholstery. Since your upholstery is white/neutral, but you have multiple warm colors in your art hanging to the left of the windows -- you might consider choosing something that also goes well with both the silk and with that picture. Since you like the silk and want to continue to use them yet want a different vibe for the room, adding additional panels seems worth at least considering. You might take one of the panels with you to see if you can find some that coordinate with the silk panels -- but keep the paperwork in case you choose to return them.
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I'm having trouble with this because your 'brief' is too brief. Currently you have a 2 bed / 1 bath plus a den. Your kitchen must be eat-in, since there is no separate dining room. Based on your family size, how many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? Is the home office essential, and must it be closed off from other rooms? If the house can remain a 2 bed / 1 bath, quite likely there are ways to improve without expanding, or expanding only a little. If you need a separate primary bedroom with bath, I would encourage you to keep the primary suite sized similarly to the other rooms (after renovation). Otherwise it will look like two completely different houses. The house seems to be single story, but does it have a basement, crawl space, or slab foundation? What is the finished ceiling height? Has the house been updated at all since the 1960's? If not, it probably needs plumbing, electrical, and HVAC attention. You have exterior doors on three sides - could one be eliminated? Windows need to be added to the plan, and are windows in good shape? Is the roof in good shape? Does the roof have rafters or trusses?
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sreedesq
Original Author
9 years ago
I'm considering putting a glass top over all the pieces in that long stretch so I do have a continuous surface. I definitely plan to ask the maker about that.

Yes, he is tall and I am short :/ I can do 30, much higher than that is hard. For him we needed the tiny pullout so he has the leg room. I did the same on my side for the sake of symmetry.

I will keep the shredder in the closet I think.

Thanks so much for your thoughts :)
Annie Deighnaugh
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You might look at getting a laminate top for its durability, cleanability, cost and smooth finish. I put laminate in my craft room and it's wonderful.

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