Be sure to also post in Home Decorating.

With 1-5k I would :

Start with paint

New light fixture

Expand and maximize the built in (please show pics of the built in)

New desk, new chair, new rug.

I found a desk that I think maximizes storage and still look beautiful. Do you like?

I think before surprising him with this you might need to talk to him. I would never redo my husbands office without a lot of input from him. The cords make me crazy too but we did find a cord manangement system that at least got the cords off the floor and attached to the back of his desk.He has a laptop, 2 monitors and a large machine that enlarges print for him to read since he went almost blind 5 yrs ago. His desk is his world so all I ask is he at least tries to keep it clean and tidy. Could you maybe post a couple more pics of the space from further back to show it all. It seems to be a space right by the front door so what was that room intended to be if not an office? We have 2 offices but mine is almost all wireless and I have Mac so minimal wires .He has a nice desk so not sure what you are thinking to change there . I see a lot of girlie stuff that might or might not work for him. Is there a closet in the space or just that builtin ? The lighting IMO needs to be addressed first , then a good decluttering of all things not needed in an office .

Are you keeping current furniture? Can you reorient the pieces? More pics. I would agree, you really need to discuss needs and wants with hubby first. I for one am very particular about my office set up. You also need to consider back drops for virtual meetings/calls. I have seen some awful ones. Lots to consider for this to work out well. Congratulations on having such a great gesture. Just hope it is semi surprise not shocker!!

Because an office is such personal and unique space, your husband must be kept in the loop. Certainly, give him a “gift certificate “, beautifully wrapped to spring the surprise. My husband and I were business partners for 15 years before we built our new facility. I designed a very workable, beautiful office for him, complete down to my choices for furniture, storage, client chairs, etc. But before I bought a single thing, I ran the plane past him. He loved the concepts, but he needed to choose his own furniture. We kept my plan, but he went with me to choose everything. He has hip issues, so he needed to find a chair that fit him, as I needed to find a desk chair for my office that didn’t irritate my back issues. He wouldn’t be able to pick the perfect chair for me. We went with a sturdier desk, for example, but placed it in the designed spot. He was relieved of the task of designing and choosing colors and fabrics, window coverings and carpet, but thoughtfully chose the specific items he needed to be comfortable as well as productive. Win/win! There are many ways to hide wires for example, so your husband might have a good solution he has already considered. I saw my job as providing him with a thoughtful, useful space, but I didn’t take it personally when he rejected or altered my overall plan.

My son uses a sit-stand desk (two actually) by Fully (Jarvis bamboo) since he uses multiple monitors and a Herman Miller Aeron chair. Those are quite modern in style and minimalistic which may not be what you're looking for since your room appears more traditional.

not even sure where to start. Suggestions?

budget- 1K- 5k

Start with a plan you've vetted with your husband. Play with the furniture layout in two dimensions to save your back. Sketching out the floor plan on graph paper is often the easiest way. Price items you're wanting to see how realistic your budget is. For example, Ikea has affordable sit/stand desk options but you might prefer to go with a motorized desk like Ergonofis' options. My advice: budget for the essential functional pieces first then see what's left for decor.

Offices are like purses! Very personal choices. I would not rework hubby’s space on my own. You might put together a vision board to spur some ideas, then work with him to create just what he needs. Many people work their whole lives in ergonomically poor offices and need help designing a space that isn’t just attractive but makes it easier to work in plus less stressful on the body. A great ergonomic chair, well-placed lighting and easy to access desk accessories are great places to start.

Thanks, all, for your feedback! This will definately not be a surprise for my husband. My goal is to come up with a few options/ideas about what he wants in the office.

im thinking of getting rid of the current furniture and replacing it wirh something more sleek/modern. the 2 challenges i see with that are: storage and hiding cords from all of the technology.

i agree, a more soothing wall color is a great idea, maybe a greige with a hint of blue.

perhaps adding some built-in modular drawers and a long counter along the wall where the hutch is, and then a free standing ergo desk? Im kind of loving this trimwork for an accent wall!

I had a ”sit to stand” desk in my office , best thing ever, additionally, i had a large wrap around counter with overead storage. I loved it, tons of counter space. But my office would probably be a liitle too contemporary & commercial looking in your home. Mine was designed by a company specializing in office furniture.

Would love to see a picture if you dont mind!!! k Lawrence

I would, but unfortunately moved 6 months ago, this house hadn’t space for a dedicated office (:. Lucky buyer has it now …. as I stated, very contemporary, but if that doesn’t suit your home maybe something less so. Perhaps the sit to stand desk will work, I loved it when I got tired of sitting, & probably healthier too. I’s adjustable ( convertible?)

As others have said, an office can be quite personal, so major things probably require more knowledge about the type of work and how it is used. Some smaller things I have found helpful:

• I also have three screens and have found that a curved desk works well with them. I don't know how feasible that is if you want a stand-sit option.
• By using a USB dock, I can use all three screens for both the work laptop and the home PC and just switch between them. That only works if you are not needing to use both computers at the same time. It means the laptop can stay closed and sits under one of the monitors.
• A keyboard tray under the desk frees up vital (for me) desk surface space and helps keep the keyboard at the right height for typing.
• Similarly, monitor stands mounted to the back of the desk make it easier to move applications between screens and create a bit more space on the desk.
• I have given up on wire clutter. My workaround is to attach a panel to the back of the desk and trail all the wires between the panel and the wall. Not easy to clean, though.

Included below are some of our office designs. Please notice the wallpaper, paint colors, storage, desks, and chairs used.

Grand Colonial: Home Office · More Info

Roslyn Village Condo: Home Office · More Info

Boathouses: Home Office · More Info

Boathouses: Home Office · More Info

If he likes his desk, it can be modified to a sit-stand one by adding a topper. https://www.startstanding.org/standing-desks/best-standing-desk-converters/#why

Personally I like the dark-toned wood but the wall colour clashes with it. A pale blue-gray would look great IMO and to unify the look I'd paint the built-in the same colour but one step up from flat paint. Add a rug but one that's flat so the office chair can roll on it easily.

Before you buy storage, find out what he needs to store. The room will just look smaller when you add more to it.

For a sleek/modern look, start by removing decor items and personal photographs. Small family photos look great grouped on a hallway wall.

I'd remove the draperies from the windows to bring in more light. The room would benefit from more lighting than just the overhead light.

I like the wall colours in the first and second pictures below. The second picture is an example of the cabinet painted the same as the walls.

Our Work · More Info

Rea · More Info

Library · More Info

A Bright New Jersey Home Office · More Info

I agree in regards to changing anything especially when it comes to an office space, perhaps adding a bigger bookcase ( for more storage near the door, changing the floor lamp and adding a mini coffee bar area with coffee machine, coffee machines areas go very well as gifts in a home office.

Very nice!