Office/Library/Playroom - is it possible?
Our old kitchen is now ready to be transformed into the office/playroom/library. At only 8'x16' that's a lot to ask for. We left the old kitchen outlets on the wall slated to have a small tv and computer (on the right in the picture). Can I just line that wall with bookcases and cabinets along the bottom, a tv and a small Ikea hack desk? Put an exercise bike in the opposite corner and a sofa bed along the opposite wall? I could use some inspiration if anyone has a similar setup - thank you!
Comments (11)
Bev
4 years agoI've seen this done on HGTV and it looks great if it is done right!
Magnolia Remodel · More InfoMaking sure you have storage for both the office and playroom is essential. I'm not sure you will have much room for a library except if you add shelves on the walls for your books! Organization and thinking outside the box will help you immensely. I have been planning and designing my sewing/quilting room since I moved into our house 5 years ago. It was a bedroom and is about the size of room you will be working with. Whenever my hubby and I get it finally done, I will post it on here. He has built me several over the door shelves where I will be able to store fabrics, thread, notions, and all my beading supplies (I sell a lot of jewelry on Etsy and at Christmas shows).
PROStacey Hermann Designs
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Need Help Styling Built-In for Playroom
Comments (10)I agree with the no lamps unless necessary. I have two little ones and while they have never knocked over lamps, I don't have any within reach in the playroom. We rely on natural light and then a floor lamp placed behind the couch that isn't easily accessible. I would do as Tib suggested and put pretty bookends and books on top, or random toys or big ones that don't fit in the cubbies. Love the map idea over the storage. Then I would get attractive baskets for some or all of the cubbies. Then even if they aren't filled, everything looks uniform. I like uniform. : ) Serena & Lily has nice baskets (I have some in my daughter's room) and they are having a 20% off sale in a few days. Land of Nod is also running 15% off bins and baskets right now. Pottery Barn Kids has some cute ones and you can find a coupon every once in a while. Bins and baskets in general aren't cheap but I love the look and function of them. Just make sure and measure your shelves before ordering....See MorePlayroom help for 2 sweet little girls :) PICS
Comments (29)PP offered some great tips! Your girls are going to love the room. I had a couple suggestions I haven't seen mentioned yet. For wall art: I love etsy.com for handmade art or budget-friendly photos. I have some great prints for my 2 girls' rooms. They also have vinyl adhesive quotes or you can order your girls' names. They can be pricey, so I ended just hand painting a two-tone pink cherry blossom tree. Not as fancy as this, but decent enough considering it only cost me a few quarts of paint. This decal from easy is $86. For your windows: I agree with the PP worried about window safety. With those windows, I would invest in plantation shutters (too heavy for a 2 or 3 year old to unlock and swing open) or buy a metal window gate to ensure your kids can't open the window. Then you can buy some pretty sheers to soften the look of plantation shutters. I got some from Pottery Barn Kids that are embroidered with pink and green butterflies to cover my daughter's shutters. It offers a light whimsical look. They're both sleeping now so I can't take photos. I can't copy the image here, but I see one on eBay now with lavender butterflies for $35 per 84" panel. Post photos when you finish the playroom!...See MoreChanging playroom into library
Comments (9)Is the television staying in the room? I would consider bookshelves with doors on the bottom for storage of some of the kid stuff and also for games, etc. I would move the hooks to the wall with the map if you still need a place for backpacks. I really only see 2 walls that would be good for bookshelves. I would fill one with bookshelves and the other with a long desk that would allow more than 1 person to work at it at a time, a possible computer station, craft space or whatever. For reading, I would make sure to have at least 2 comfy chairs in the room (recliners or have an ottoman too) and perhaps a loveseat for spreading out on. I would have these centered on the fireplace. You may be able to fit a game table by the windows, but it is hard to gauge scale from the pictures. Alternatively, a chair by the windows would be nice for those who like to peer out and day dream. I would also make sure to include a basket near the chairs for cozy blankets. Do not forget good lamps for adequate light....See MoreAwkward living dining combo with playroom/office
Comments (11)Hi Susan! That seems like a really long room- def. a challenge. Do you feel like you can spilt it?... let’s say the sitting area toward the window, and the dining toward the kitchen/bar? If that’s possible, then I sketched out an idea... Swing the sofa to the center as the divider. Either use the sofa you have (it may be too large/wide for now, scoot it to the left side) or find a two cushion love seat. The coffee table in front. The rocker in the corner. Move the charger from the entryway to the right side wall... (that cleans up that entry too). The dining table- if round now- might work in the dining space. Personally I love stools at bar height spaces, and they take up less space visually. The entry area with the sconces and the mirror will be less cluttered... maybe find a low seated storage bench? I didn’t see much in the playroom area- but that beautiful ladder shelf could work in the sitting area, maybe? If not, I’d at least move it away from the window a bit, better spacing. Maybe? ...just some ideas! I’m working on the kids room myself... and a wine bar area... and a library... and a guest room... and an office!! So doing a LOT of idea work too!...See More- PRO
Stacey Hermann Designs
4 years ago
Sleeper sofa -- small scale. 2 ottomans for kids to play games on can be moved easily to open sofa. TV across on the wall. Small scale desk and chair (another chair to watch TV) and then shelving behind -- one for toys and one for your library. if you wanted to get rid of the sofa, could do comfy chairs and maybe have room for exercise bike. let me know if you'd like a different version!
purlina007 thanked Stacey Hermann Designs purlina007
4 years ago
PROSabrina Alfin Interiors
4 years agopurlina007
4 years agoOur toys are mostly board games, puzzles, video games, and a tub of legos. My kids are 8 and 10. I think it would all fit in a bottom bank of cabinets. Would it be crazy to build in a desk space in the old pantry?
PRODesign Interior South
4 years agoThis is a very very very rough sketch.
To make this work you need to face the bottom of the book shelves on either side of the window with molded panels at desk height (roughly 29-30") then carry you counter portion at that height above bottom cabinets leaving an opening for a desk chair. For upper shelving you can do the shelving above desk and one cabinet base open for computer screen and TV and then do shelves above and to one side depending on measurements. This photo shows the window seat book shelf configuration.
purlina007 thanked Design Interior South- PRO
Stacey Hermann Designs
4 years agoHow often will you use a bed in this room? If you do built-ins (these are 20" deep) you'll have enough room still for a smaller frame sofa -- but not a bed! I couldn't show upper cabinets or shelving here but you get the idea :-)
purlina007 thanked Stacey Hermann Designs - PRO
Design Interior South
4 years agoHere are some built ins that house both a desk area as well as TV area to help you visualize a layout.
Bryn Mawr – Custom Home University Park · More Info
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Birmingham. Michigan · More Info
Madison Res. · More Info
Built-Ins · More Infopurlina007 thanked Design Interior South
Design Interior South