I would certainly change the desk location. Maybe have you back facing the window. Yes to curtains. And yes to removing the carpet. There’s so much you can do to this space. Depending on what you want to and are willing to do. New lighting, paint, molding... the couch looks good but I would remove abs possibly replace the ottoman and tables...

Agree on desk, but concerned about wires. This is an old crate and barrel desk and don’t think it’s a good enough piece to face out. Was thinking of get an L shaped desk to have wires hidden and still look towards door. I’m open to all suggestions. New lighting- remove the fan? Molding meaning crown? Need help on layout options too, always see comment not to line furniture along walls.

Some thoughts:

--First, declutter everything out of the main space that isn't office related into a closet or another room.

--Move your bookcases to flank the windows on each. Get sturdy dark storage containers for some of the lower shelves.

--Zoom calls work best with front lighting. Get a short Linmon Ikea tabletop/desk on movable legs to face the windows (Ikea has tabletops in several sizes and finishes as well asKrille hairpin legs on wheels). Add soft filmy roman or solar shades to the windows like these to cut down on glare. Get a desk chair on wheels. With desk and chair on wheels, you can move around depending on the light--facing the windows or with your back to the windows, close to them or a few feet away. (I'm assuming you have a laptop. Even if you don't, you can still move around a bit with extension cords.)

Clapham Apartment · More Info

--Add another, much longer tabletop desk on wheels to a side wall for equipment, for spreading out projects, desktop files, below desk files. Leave space to move your computer when the light is too bright coming in from the window.. Get a comfortable rolling chair to move between desks. Add shelves above this desk with a bulletin or white board.

--Create your living area zone approximately where you have it now. Anchor that area with a great looking rug.

Is ok to but an area rug on top of another rug? This room is on top of a garage so it’s the coldest in the house. Thought I would need to replace with carpet

Please hang that Hulk print so it’s behind you on video calls! That would make my day to see that instead of the boring old bookcases, etc that’s behind everyone.

You get the best advice when you draw a scale drawing of your space with all windows, doors and openings labeled with all measurements. It takes a few minutes to do, but you will get appropriate advise on furniture placement. If it's in your budget, I'd definitely replace the carpeting. What about enclosing that area with the slanted ceiling with doors to make a closet to hide clutter.

Alan, you can’t work from home unless you have a designated space.https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/17/never-make-these-6-biggest-mistakes-working-from-home-says-guy-whos-done-it-for-10-years.html

@sarah have a great print but don’t know where to best situate desk to have in the background

I’ll work on the measurements and post. Was thinking of sliding door to make an official closet.

Agree Judy, that’s my attempt. What do u think?

How do I @ someone so I am answering their comment

You can put a desk on the same wall but centered facing out... with the art behind it

Check into "Warmly Yours" for a heating system you can install under your new carpet. Your next big issue is to find storage for the clutter. The room appears to have become the "catch all" for stuff you collect. Decide on a dozen favorites you want to have on display. Build shelves in the recessed area to hold plastic bins where you store the rest of it. You can rotate out different favorites a couple of times a year. If that's a long storage bench, fill it with them too and place it under the window. When you find a good desk (shop 2nd hand for a nice big one) place it facing the window so you have natural light for your Zoom time and less glare on your computer screen. Get a ring or soft light to use when it is cloudy or dark. Flank the window with your bookcases. Try a Zoom call with a friend to help you tweak the lighting and background. You may need to add some shades to control the amount of light on really bright days. If you need to look more professional on Zoom, you may want to make sure the toys are not visible on the call. If they are part of your desired image, make sure the "right" ones are visible to the "right" client (if you know them that well.) If you just Zoom with co-workers or the boss, you'll know what decision to make. Don't forget about using a green screen for your Zoom calls. Here's a good one!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SOUCL_6OZ4

@Alan Anthony - Just put the at (@) sign first and start spelling out the name - it usually comes up automatically and you can click on it.

@alananthony I think it only works on a computer to do that. Because mine doesn’t seem to pick up on it😵😣🤷‍♀️

@HU-1875 , I think your write on mobile u didn’t come up and that’s a lot of numbers!

Do these measurements work? This is the sliding door I have to enter room.

See mix reactions on desk placement, facing window vs back to window. I know the light for calls would be best to face window, but hate having back to door. HU mentioned flipping desk with back to wall it is currently at. Would love more insight.

I’m in a creative industry so I have latitude on decor, but I am a supervisory role so I don’t necessarily want all my collectibles on a call. I was gifted this print and would like featured in the room.

We put a space heater in the room over the garage and it gets nice and toasty.

What about butting the sofa and desk.

Love the second inspo pic

@Alan Anthony - Measurements look good except we need the size of the window and the space on either side. You can always place the desk sideways along the wall so that your back of your chair would roll up against the wall. That way you can turn you head and look out the window and turn the other way and face the doorway. The desk would be floating in the space.

I’m a newbie, love the inspiration pics. But I how would I do I my room? But my desk behind where the couch is currently?

@Alan Anthony I think in that situation you'd put your desk in front of the window (you would face the door with your back to the window) and the couch would be in front of your desk. I don't know if that would be the best arrangement for your space.

You can try it in your room and see what "feels" best to you.

I've worked from home for over 15 years, and since most days are 10+ hours, having another spot to sit besides my desk is crucial.

Measurement with Window

See information below and a background will provide more options for your desk‘s placement

- Decide on the location for your desk

- Add a good window treatment

- If you will be changing your desk, the one below is efficient and attractive

- Then decide on the location of your bookcases and art.

- Once office is settled, consider rest of room. I’d add coordinated cushions to your couch, a small rug in front and a coffee table. You can always decide later if you want to redo carpeting and add or remove things.

To help with decor choices, look at inspiration pictures. A plan makes things much easier and you can add slowly when things go on sale, etc. Good luck.

@shirlpp have a space heater in the room now, about a 3 foot tower

@Maureen thanks for the advice. The desk placement seems to be key! I like that wayfair desk.

My wife found this desk tonight at World Market. All the wood in room is dark chocolate. Is it ok that it doesn’t match and lighten up the room.

It’s a great desk and being light might be an asset in room.

@Alan Anthony - That looks great. You don't want everything to match or it's boring. Using a different color wood is great. As long as you feel the desk is functional, I'd go for it. It can be used with the L on either side which is great.

Found this desk. What do you guys think? Maybe have this face out to room and get cubicle on side to get l shape? Also saw this love seat- do u guys think too many browns

Housegal has it right, you need to face the window for the best video conference lighting.

If you have the window to your back you're going to have bad glare on your monitor AND your camera will likely focus on the bright window; you'll be a silhouette like the witness protection people on TV.

Creative industry? Go dark charcoal or dark navy for your walls. Be bold. Plus spiderman will look fantastic against it.

@Design Girl which desk - the Wayfair or World Market. Went to see the World Market and don’t like the wheels. Also would have to be on right side of room when entering. envisonEd on left so I line of sight to door.

@Emily F yes your right on the awful glare. Need some suggestions on window treatments. This project isn’t going to be completed before Im back to work. I like the dark navy idea- what color carpet?

Light neutral tan or cream colored carpet, but if you have kids or dogs, go as dark as you need. Wood floors would look best but you didn't mention that as an option. I'm not big on window treatments, I would do simple 2" faux wood blinds from selectblinds. If you get a wood floor, get the wood look blinds in the same color. Likewise if you do carpet, find whatever blinds look best with the carpet color (there's lots of shades of whites and creams in the blinds selections). I'm excited for you, you'll need to show us how it turns out!

Agree on the wood. If it’s a budget thing that your preference is carpet look into Lowe’s sheet flooring. I saw it on a blog one time. It looked absolutely AMAZING. and was said to be super cost friendly. It was basically a sheet of flooring looking exactly like wood flooring. Was rlly cool. I do like blind tho. I’d do a shade and a curtain for show

Have kids and intend on getting a dog, but main reason I was thinking carpet was because office is over garage and gets really cold in winter. We have cream colored carpet on our main floor and kids haven’t messed it up thus far. Any pics on window ideas and carpet colors would be appreciated. thks!

Carpet would certainly keep things warmer. Look into polypropylene - They've got lots of great choices and it cleans up so easily.

To retain a wee bit of heat you might consider a 9x12 rug to put on top of the current rug.

https://ruggable.com/collections/9x12-rugs#/perpage:150