There are a lot of books and mag articles on such a topic, and I have come across lots of features in my years of taking too many magazine subscriptions, so you might browse a bookstore or search the net for great photos. The closet might be able to be outfitted as the actual "office," if you use the right doors and really outfit the inside. There are lots of decor features on that approach. That is more important, I think, if you and your nuclear family want to use the room more often as a cozy library/study and can then close the doors on printer, FAX, etc. but also is a great way to maximize floor space, since you can use a closet as an "indent" in a room for office equipement and desk, but can't sleep in the closet! Sofa bed vs. Murphy bed can be space-saving. There are furniture lines for installing Murphy bed and associated cabinetry. This approach is more for if you yourself don't need the sofa and want to preserve more floor space and a clean-lined look. Otherwise, a compact sofa bed would serve you and your family for library. Shelving is key and you should be prepared to design and install it so that it works for you--(or have done professionally). That goes for the whole room--by that I mean, draw your floorplan and wall views with windows, doors and really brainstorm on different ways to use the space. For example, you might be able to surround a sofa bed with built in shelves floor to ceiling for a great library look, whereas a lot of free-standing shelves would take up space. Or, you might be able to find free-standing shelf units you can pair and connect with a bridge. Lots of ideas like that. Of course you have a budget, but try to think outside the box and be prepared to buy a new item if it will really make the space work better--so if your current file cabinet doesn't work well, you might budget for one that fits better or is more streamlined, or maybe you need 2 matching and put over them a desk top. As in first paragraph, there are huge numbers of ideas on multi-tasking furniture for these purposes--file cab as bedside table or under a table top and skirt; rolling file or printer stand that rolls under desk top; storage containers that might let you "remove" a few items temporarily when guest using the room and needs place for luggage, and return later.

Those were nice to look at. I always loved that dark wood floor to ceiling cases with a rolling ladder look...LOL I once toured a new home open house that had a huge room like that...English influence, wonderful desk and sitting areas, tea cart dog by fire place...AHHHHHH! Kayle...I am sure you will find something that inspires your room to meet your needs, it sounds fun.

I just picked up the stripped-down chairs from the upholsterer. They look so naked. Now I have to choose a gray paint that works with the fabric. I have a quart of fairly dark gray in the basement that I may try. I'll solicit opinions when I get some painted on the chairs. gingerjenny, my trim color is the same BM soft chamois that I used in the rest of the house. I have enough trouble picking wall colors without switching trim colors too! : ) chitown, that map is great...huge! I may need to go see it in person. I haven't mentioned the map idea to DH yet. My goal was to pull this room together with stuff we already have and I've already bought new bookcases and am getting chairs re-done. I don't know if the map idea will make him cranky. I guess I should at least TRY to use art that we already own. Or not. We'll see. runninginplace, the bookshelves are Hemnes. I look at both these and the Billys. Billys are less expensive, but I liked that these were wood and looked a little more sturdy and finished. Plus they have leg levelers which come in handy on our old crooked floors. I got an email today that my curtain rods have shipped!! It's all pulling together. Yay!

Thank you so much for the helpful recommendations! Very much appreciate your 3D plan Stacey - I hadn't thought of that configuration. And yes, the wall with the window is the 8' wall. After a serious Kon Mari blitz of our books - we still have so many books (I'm a librarian - sheesh!) To fit them all, we would have to line an entire wall with bookshelves. I think we could reserve the bottom bank for cabinets. I do like the idea of carrying it over to the window wall and the bench. I'm having a hard time envisioning how to fit a 31" tv and a small computer screen. Could I put a small computer space closer to the window? Maybe like a small fold down like a secretary desk? My husband really wants to build a murphy bed in the room but I'm not seeing it.