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Furniture Design Dilemma home office

Home office layout help

5 years ago

Need help deciding on layout of a home office (converted from dining room)

Option 1 (seen in photos): large book shelf on accent wall. will likely put an accent chair or chaise next to it near the black rails. desk is next to entrance to kitchen. the small stairs lead to the living room.

Option 2: large book shelf on the wall next to kitchen entrance, where the desk currently is (will fit almost perfectly). Two desks against the accent wall.

The advantage of option 2 is I can have two desks (his and hers). And also seems like a better use of space?

The disadvantage of option 2 is I'm not sure how it will look if I walk up the stairs and there is the side of the bookcase. I also sort of like how the outside greens and light currently reflect off the bookcase. Will I lose that?

I also don't know how to think about the accent wall. Is it better to have a bookcase+ chair against the accent wall, or two desks+decor?

Also, any other feedback/ideas beyond option 1 and 2 welcomed!

Featured Answer

groveraxle

5 years ago

I know I hate to look at a wall in my office. I would especially hate it in an office as open as this one.

Comments (15)

groveraxle
5 years ago
What are the dimensions of the space? How deep are the bookcases? Will there be computer/s in on the desk/s? And if so, full size monitors or laptops?
Amy Chan
Original Author
5 years ago
@groveraxle Great questions!

room size:

- 115” large window wall

- 156” accent wall where the bookcase currently is

- 92” kitchen wall where the desk is

book case depth: 11”

book case width: 78”

desk depth: 27.5”

desk width: 55”

Yes there will be full sized monitors on the desks.
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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.
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Thanks decoenthuasiaste! I think we will follow your advice and position the desk that way. This way I'll have the window to my left and can look into the backyard if I want, and also face the large wall where we can place a nice long & short bookcase with art. I think the reading area to my right (on wall that current has guitar and standing lamp) will look great. We are going to try a rug like this one to complement the more modern bamboo desk top and dark navy walls:
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Question: Do you use a large computer monitor(s) or just a laptop, and where are your outlets located? Asking because I have a similar space and the outlets pretty much dictated where the desk had to go; But I have two enormous monitors and an old tower pc that are required for my work; many folks just use laptops these days. And can you use the closet for file storage and printer?
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So that giant storage unit looks like it belongs in a preschool, not an office. Can you tell us something about your line of work that you need so much storage? The only stuff that belongs in your office is stuff you need to do your job. I strongly suspect you simply need to get rid of a bunch of stuff. Design your workspace as if it existed in your company’s building. You can add more personality since it’s in your home, but it should still look professional and functional. Like someone said above, remove everything from the room other than the furniture you plan on keeping. That includes everything from the giant storage unit. If you would not load it into your car and take it to your company office, don’t bring it back into the room. Go online and search for pics of “office with 2 desks.” Post some that you like.
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suezbell
5 years ago
Wait, wait, what!?!

Do you have a dining room on the other side of the kitchen or are you now going to walk down those steps from the kitchen to the lower level to reach your dining room?
Amy Chan
Original Author
5 years ago
@suezbell Down the stairs is the living room. We have a big eat in area in the kitchen, so probably don’t need a formal dining room. We are just converting what would have been the dining room into an office.
Amy Chan
Original Author
5 years ago
@groveraxle, wow for the drawing!! I don’t like facing walls either but I dislike my back against the window even more :/ what would be your second choice configuration?
Jennifer Harpole
5 years ago
What a gorgeous space! You’ve got to be thrilled with how perfect that’s going to be for a home office. I know I would be. =D
Amy Chan thanked Jennifer Harpole
Jennifer Harpole
5 years ago
I really like the bookcase on the accent wall - seems like it would overpower the wall next to the kitchen entrance. It looks really nice where it’s at in the pic. I agree with you about the gorgeous reflections on it too. If you don’t *have* to have a 2 person office I’d leave it as-is and enjoy the open space.
If you do have to add a second desk would it work to put one facing the windows in front of the railing? You’d have to forgo the chaise (which sounds amazing) but it may be an idea to play with.
Amy Chan thanked Jennifer Harpole
groveraxle
5 years ago
I would probably do this, then.

My rationale for putting the desk on the long wall is psychological; I don't want anyone coming up the stairs and approaching me from the side. I faced the desk toward the center of the room because I really don't want anyone approaching me from behind.
houssaon
5 years ago
Both of the layouts from groveraxle are ideal.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Took grover's layout and moved the cabinets, placed a black shelf between the two cabinets and moved the desks out. The will provide a great space between the cabinets to mount art and a picture light

Not a pretty rendering but you get the idea
groveraxle
5 years ago
A great idea, Beverly, but I'm not sure those bookcases come apart, and the OP doesn't want her back to the window.
Jennifer Harpole
5 years ago
What program/app are you guys using to mock-up layouts? I fiddled with a few the other day but nothing seemed to work that well.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
5 years ago
I use Microsoft Paint. It's all cut and paste.
groveraxle
5 years ago
I use icovia. Lots of the home decor websites have it. Here's one: http://roomandboard.icovia.com/

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