How to balance/arrange home office in living room, please!
I work from home and don't have a dedicated office, so have my little "work corner" that shares the space with my living room. I am flexible on budget but cannot make any permanent changes or paint (renter). I like my current industrial vibe, though it's currently a bit "blah" with all the white space and could use some more personality. Full pictures and layout/dimensions in the album: https://imgur.com/a/OAmenfQ
My main concerns are:
- I would like more of the floor covered/protected. Larger rug? Or layered rugs? Or just a separate rug for the office space? (the fuzzy white one is for a dog if the toy box didn't give it away)
- Ideally I would love to have my desk facing out the window versus the current bulletin board but as you can see in the dimensions in the album, it just doesn't quite work (I tried and felt cramped on that side of the living room). The bulletin board is also probably going to go at some point - just didn't have a better place to put it. Plus, I also like the current set up of couch facing fireplace - but not committed to it, especially as it gets warmer.
- Tall ceilings - I'm thinking of getting a larger bookshelf where the current tall skinny one stands and moving the skinny one on the wall between the couch and fireplace. I did this before to make room for the Christmas tree and liked how it occupied the space/height of the wall. Otherwise, maybe a large piece of art or several?
- Don't love the chair — kind of bulky and dark for my taste. Leaning towards something like this, just not that color: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40426652/
- I also have considered upgrading my loveseat to a full sofa or corner sectional since it's attractive but very uncomfortable to nap/snuggle on.
Living room side
Office Side
Side by side
View from couch
Current arrangement
Previous arrangement I tried that just didn't quite work.
Would love any tips, feedback or recommendations!!
Comments (10)
cpaul1
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Please help arrange living room furniture in a new house!!!!
Comments (4)To visually open up the room I would suggest lighter drapes close to the wall color without a pattern or with a self pattern. I would remove the stair ladder deal in the corner (they were a passing trend) and clear the TV chest of everything. Consider doing a grouping of pictures around the TV and above it to fill in that area and give the room some needed visual interest. Beverly's layout is very nice, although I've personally found that darker drapes tend to close in a room, but it's your preference. I would consider a rug an absolute must....See Morehow to arrange our living room ?
Comments (4)yes, now if this is not really possible, we will find a solution (in the bedroom or office ...) TV idea :...See MoreHow on earth do I arrange furniture in this living room??
Comments (1)So here’s what I came up with. Two things to take note of: 1. I painted three walls with a darker color. Visually, this will trick your eye to think the walls are connected so to speak and become one wall. 2. The wall of drapes. If you can do this, it hides that little section of wall between the windows and makes that seem like it’s one big wall. You will want to put tv on an articulating arm so you can pull it out and angle it toward the sectional....See MoreMoving-in, please help arranging my new LR/Office/FR
Comments (67)@ital mover @bluemarble @aprilneverends Here is the photo of the painted office. Though it's gray to match the first-floor paint, it looks much more inviting than before. I placed the gray green/ beige rug and brought the green plants in. I hung the NASA posters and left the other walls empty. I have the seascape oils and ladies waiting for their proper space in the house :0) @bluemarble I also just updated the bedroom thread that you asked about ;) TY for following up. Cheers to you all....See Moremaggieru
5 years ago
PROMARGARITA BRAVO
5 years agoThere are a few things you could do here. First off, we think you could easily move your desk so it is facing the living room. Turn your desk a quarter turn to the left and then you would be facing the living room and be able to see out your windows some. It looks like there is plenty of room to do this. If you then wanted a rug, you could get one that would just fit under the area for the entire desk and chair. We agree with moving the TV to the empty wall beside the loveseat. This will free up that area so you can get a bigger book shelf if you'd like. We would then have the loveseat face the TV and move the chair at an angle beside the TV on the right. We think these suggestions might help.
Notice desk faces out into room?
Home Office · More Info
PROhbeing
5 years agoUser
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoCould you mount the TV above the fireplace? It looks like the chimney is in the middle of the nook (I can't tell) but you could place the TV in front, and then layer some kind of accents in the deeper nook behind (a plant, tall vase, art).
For seating: one small sectional (or the kind of couch with a chaise). A round or oval coffee table might help the space feel easier to walk around.
The bookcase I suggest to be short and wide -- no taller than the short wall that looks over your stairs. Hang some large art above it-- but if you did, take down the art that's currently under your hall light or it will look like too much.
Unfortunately my plan involves getting almost all new furniture!
Manon Floreat
5 years agoI wonder if an arrangement like below would work for you.
One plain large rug for the entire room and an accent rug for the primary seating area. Maybe jute or sisal in a 9 x 12'ish. The desk moves to the other side near the opening so you have a view out the windows. On the blank wall, a longish console and maybe next to it a couple of ottomans or a small accent chair when you need extra seating.
Manon Floreat
5 years ago
Sabrina Alfin Interiors