skip to main content

Home Decorating

Layout help and more for home office

6 years ago

My husband's home office needs a spruce up. The carpet needs to be replaced, the walls painted and I believe the layout should be different. It is such a long skinny room it has me puzzling.

This is a dedicated home office but including a daybed, or a small pull out sofa would be a plus. A bookcase or some built in shelves would be appreciated.

The room is 10x16, it has one window, one door, and two post and beam details; one is fairly flush to the wall. Right now there is a built in desk along the long wall. My husband uses half of it my son had a PC set up at the other end but he is no longer living at home. The desk has tarps over it now because I am patching the ceiling. I was thinking that a good way to make use of the nook created by the post would be a built in bookcase, or I also thought about creating an L-shaped desk incorporating the post and the nook. I was thinking then I could get my husband to have the messier portion of his desk in the nook.

How would you arrange this space?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

havingfun
6 years ago
im sorry, none of the pics are very good. could we have better ones showing each direction? Also you should not paint the walls until all else is done.
My3dogs ME zone 5A
6 years ago
I have a similar room that is my home office at one end, and my sewing/craft area at the other. My room is 10' x 19', and is off my living room, and has a door about mid-point on a long wall. No beautiful beams, but 5 windows.

I have my work-from-home laptop, personal laptop, and and printers, etc. in the rear of the room, taking up the wall that adjoins the living room. I also have a bookcase there, and my 'equipment' is housed in a PC armoire that I've had for years. I never close it, but could, to give a neater appearance to the room. I bet you could find one on Craigslist if you looked. It has a nice surface that I work on that could slide back into the armoire, if needed. Below is a VERY old picture of it.

I also have a leather sofa in here - huge bargain from Craigslist, and it's behind me as I work. Pic below armoire.

In the front of the room, I have my sewing machines on an outside wall, plus an antique bureau with a small ironing board on it, a comfy chair that my dogs love, a huge armoire that I had built to hold fabric, with a deep drawer at the bottom that holds craft supplies. During high crating time - this time of year, I have a card table set up that I do crafts on. I have a TV on a wall shelf near he sewing machine that I can see from anywhere in the room.

Basically, the back part of my room is for work, and the front part is for hobbies.

You could have your day bed, maybe a coffee table in the 'other end' from your husband's work area. With those beams, I know your room could be stunning!
Related Discussions
Home Office layout ideas - please vote
Q
Comments (13)
Thanks for all the comments. My wife just cannot get over the modern look of Ikea. We've decided to go a different route entirely. While visiting a friend, she noticed their home office was a converted dining room as well. Similar to ours - hard wood floors, chair rail, crown molding. This person had two beautiful antique barrister bookcases, a small leather couch, a tastefully done large desk, and a oriental rug. It was nicely pulled together. So we are dropping the Ikea route and considering a partners desk with two sets of barrister bookshelves. Perhaps something like this: To answer the other questions: - this is just a home office for the family - the ideal space should accommodate, a PC, laptop and printer (and shredder) One option if the antique desks are too expensive: we have a custom Amish furniture maker local. He said he would make whatever we want. I'm curious to hear how much he would charge. Even the Ikea stuff added up to $2,000 - $3,000. Here is a link that might be useful: Antique partners desks
...See More
Home office layout help
Q
Comments (8)
claire_de_luna, It's good to know a similar layout works great for you! I was concerned it might look great on my drawing paper, but not practical in real life. I wrote down your suggestion about the table lamp. :) Thank you. talley_sue_nyc, We went with a slightly shorter but deeper partners desk, which is 76'' long and 50'' deep, so hopefully it will stick out less (6'' less). We ordered it 2 days ago, and it won't be here until 6-8 months later, but I will keep your quality suggestion in mind when looking for a filing cabinet (or a credenza). We are going to put the two 30'' monitors in the center of the desk, back to back, so my husband and I will be facing the screen, instead of each other. :) About separating papers/notebooks from the computer space -- we are very unorganized at the moment.. we lay out papers on our current temporary desks, as well as on the kitchen counters where the counter stools are.. How to organize papers better is definitely something we should figure out soon.
...See More
Home office layout help
Q
Comments (13)
ILC: I don't think that the room could handle two hutch desks, seems to me that it would be overpowering. I think every room needs a focal point, be it a fireplace, built-in, bed, or something else. I also think that piece needs to fill a space height-wise, or you have to group something above it to fill the focal point on the wall as well. With a wall of built-ins, then the sofa becomes a balancing focal point. I would look to a custom kitchen cabinet shop for ideas. All better-quality cabinet makers create pieces for a home office. It's a matter of how you arrangement them and what sort of material you use for the surface. Corian is easy to clean and granite would look fabulous, but you can also get stained or painted wood to match the cabinets. Google on it or look at cabinet maker websites for more ideas. No matter what look you go for (old world, modern, traditional, English country, etc), it will be clean and efficient because you design it to fit your requirements. The downside is you don't get to face your partner, but rolling chairs on a hardwood floor can help you there. What a fun project! Here is a link that might be useful: Google Search: Built-In Desk Wall
...See More
Layout Help for Small Home Office
Q
Comments (13)
@Jess. You're Welcome! It's difficult to get a perfect room and your needs in a small space. For me, placing the desk there, would be fine for these reasons.... This is a Dual-Purpose Room 1. Your desk has a light weight feeling to it, it's not bulky, although one with more storage might be better functionally. (which is still ok) Not a lot of choices for you 2. Because you enter the room moving to the left, that pathway is all clear. 3. You won't run into a desk at current space, when entering the room 4. Better use of the space between the closet and doorway, given it's construction 5. Visually, a better, more inviting floor plan overall 6. Furniture placements are more aesthetically pleasing (better balance) 7. Better use of space you have 8. Sofa & coffee table area are inviting and functional. It won't feel like there is nowhere else to place the sofa in your home 9. You will 'feel' good about the room and like going in there 10. The room might even feel larger
...See More

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Key Measurements to Help You Design the Perfect Home Office

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Fit all your work surfaces, equipment and storage with comfortable clearances by keeping these dimensions in mind

SELLING YOUR HOUSE Help for Selling Your Home Faster — and Maybe for More

By Laura Gaskill

Prep your home properly before you put it on the market. Learn what tasks are worth the money and the best pros for the jobs

ORGANIZING Do It for the Kids! A Few Routines Help a Home Run More Smoothly

By Alison Hodgson

Not a Naturally Organized person? These tips can help you tackle the onslaught of papers, meals, laundry — and even help you find your keys

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

HOME OFFICES 9 Ways to Enjoy Your Home Office More

By Shawn Gauthier

Let in the light, get a new chair and treat yourself to some fresh organizational tools for your office this year

ENTRYWAYS Designer Makes a 1906 Home’s Gracious Entry More Functional

By Becky Harris

A new landing zone and storage for coats, bags and shoes helps a Seattle family keep things tidy

HOME TECH How Tech Can Help You Understand Your Home’s Air

By Kayla Matthews

Get the scoop on 5 gadgets that can help you monitor your home’s indoor air quality

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Bring More Fun Into the Office

Take your cubicle or home office from ho-hum to "how fun!" with accessories that help beat the workday doldrums

HOME OFFICES 7 Ways to Make Your Home Office Work Better for You

By Design With Science

Have more energy, be more productive and feel better while working at home with these ideas based on science

ARCHITECTURE House-Hunting Help: If You Could Pick Your Home Style ...

By Laura Gaskill

Love an open layout? Steer clear of Victorians. Hate stairs? Sidle up to a ranch. Whatever home you're looking for, this guide can help

Sponsored

Manifesto, Inc.

9 Reviews

Franklin County's Premier Interior Designer | 2x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

Need ideas for this long skinny 12 x 10 tv room. They want a sectional

12

Need new wall decor and pillows

10

Most realistic wood look tile

9

Need furniture help

2

how to make this wall a focal point?

4