Are you buying a free standing desk or installing a work counter? The latter would be sleek in white.

What is the curtain’s purpose?

What are your needs with the desk? Just a flat tabletop for laptop or monitor, or do you need a really functional desk with file storage etc?

I agree any color would work. The green one is lovely. If you really need a workhorse of a desk, I’d look into a teachers desk online. DH and I needed a large durable top and file storage. We do a lot of measuring, weighing and packaging and found that the less expensive “cuter” desks just didn’t hold up well. We ended up with something like this and it’s still going strong and in perfect shape ten years later.

First decide overall what you want to do decor wise. It has a dark/cramped feel and being in there for hours at a time, I’d aim for a lighter feel. Any interest in lightening/updating the shelving (less and wider) and just add a long shelf as your desk for a more incorporated, airy feel. Good lighting is a must and a patterned curtain would be fun (only just touching floor).

Is there a way to take a pic from the doorway to show us the whole spac e?IMO the shelving could go and why all the different colors of wood ? Take the drape away so we can see the window .TO me in tiny space the shelving makes it look even smaller . If oyu must have some then low shelving not up to the ceiling.Are you wanting to paint the space ? IMO white walls or a very pale color and keep the desk you have

Thank you for all the assistance!!

Some responses to general themes asked:

1. ugly window treatment was a temporary privacy solution that was left from the previous owner. Agreed that I could use some window treatment ideas.

2. we would have loved a built in desk and updating the shelves. However, the quotes we got easily skyrocketed to over $2k for something nice, aka out of budget for now.

3. we do like the desk suggestions

Any more window, desk or lighting suggestions?

As a lover of weird little nooks like that, and for a modest budget, I'd suggest getting those shelves covered with as many old books as you can get--fill them in, with a minimum of other stuff. I'd paint the ceiling an interesting color, like a nice green, and use a solid-color Roman shade at the window to coordinate with the ceiling (the ceiling in white is just too much contrast with the paneling, and makes it look tired). A curtain is fine too, especially if you can make that yourself--get some terrific fabric. If you have a single fixture in the middle of the ceiling, try to buy another single fixture with multiple lights hanging out of it on cords--IKEA has had these in the past, and I bought one online (Amazon?) with 10 frosted bulbs hanging out of it on cords, which I've threaded around the twigs of a large branch so there is light throughout the room. You wouldn't need so many, and make sure it's dimmable. Then add an inexpensive adjustable up-light in the corner to bounce some light off of the wall and shelf underside (make sure to use warm bulbs everywhere). Your desk is fine for now, although I love the green suggestions! I think addressing the room envelope will really give you the most impact, though.

What a fantastic room. Super cozy, great wood. Love the dark/olive green idea for the desk. Can you buy some paint and make this desk darker? You know it is the right size for the space and it is an inexpensive fix. Does this surface seem easy to paint? Add some hardware to the drawer for a bit more charm.

Can you take a pic of the window with the curtain pulled back so we can see what it looks like? How much privacy / sunlight do you want?

Look for desks for sale on Marketplace, at yard sales, on Craigslist. Then you won’t feel guilty painting it. Shop with dimensions that will fit your cozy space.

You can buy a wood desk that fits your needs and paint it whatever color you want without guilt. I would keep the walls as is and make the desk “fit” the room. Th colors suggested might work but once you have the whole world of color available, you may change your mind.

Pale sage green was my first thought.

Maybe a white desk, like you already have, or try making a built-in desk using a slab. Below are just two ideas on what might be possible for your small home office.

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