Not sure I would spend the $$$$ on built ins. Here are a variety of options for the room. You selection will depend on the style you are going for.

Open shelving bookcases with cabinets at the base are availalbe from CB2

For any valuable suggestions you need to post more pictures showing the entire room (all 4 walls). If it's an office, do you have a desk? what does it look like? or do you want a desk surface as part of the built-in? what are all of your needs for this room to work for you?

I’m not a fan of the wall color either.

But, the taupe is in the “ cool brown” family , so if you choose shelves/ cabinetry that will be painted, the a cool darker brown or maybe a type of deep teal or blue. For wood stain or faux wood, likely something in the walnut range. It’s possible to mix lighter, pale, cool wood tone ( see photos of some of the bleached or natural pale oak floorings), but might be harder to achieve that in your cabinetry, economically.

Point is, you would avoid all the warm golden/ reddish/ woods like golden oak, pine, cherry, except maybe dark- stained cherry.

I find the wall colour doesn't complement the sofa colour, I would go with a warm white, and a taupe wall unit, something like this...

The above images look small so here they are separately:

IMO do most of the storage with a good closet organizing and then no builtns in such a small space Once the desk and chair are in then see how much space you have since that sofa I ssume is a sofa bed. I agree the wall color is all wrong and the sofa not exactly glam . The 2 stands you have look fine colorwise . Maybe a nice rug to start the rest of the colors

If you want glam, I’d paint the room a rich/darker shade (black accessories will not feel severe). Add brass accessories, a pretty ceiling pendant and colorful cushions/rug/art.

I’d suggest floating shelves vs bookcases… saves money and will keep the room feeling more open.

You may want to narrow down the “feel“ by looking at on line home offices and may see combinations you like.

Also like Maureen's suggestion for darker walls, here's one of many ideas...

This would be my take on a glam office so maybe post some inspo pics of your idea of one

A light or dark rug will help finish off the space and affect your wall color choice.

Thank you for your honest opinions. Got me to the first decision. Lyn Nielsen, Marmiegard, Patricia Colwell Consulting, all said that the wall color and taupe sofa do not go well together. The sofa is a pull out bed and was a hand me down. I am ready to remove the sofa as i cannot afford to repaint the room and matching pull down blind which matches the one in the adjacent room.
So now i welcome advice and inspirations for the shelves and cabinets with a built in desk surface. I do not have a designer’s eye so i need ideas for colors, knobs and will then go on to a proper more glam sofa to match the existing wall color. Thank you to marmiegard for explaining about painted wood and natural woods - warm and cool. Big task ahead for a small small narrow room and i count on all the creative engaged people reading this post. Thank you.

Look in your closet for clothing colors that make you feel great and the shinny accessories you pair with them. Maybe a deep forest green and brass or gold that would work with the taupe sofa. or a rich pink with silver. Metal shelves can add the glam, rich fabric accessories can balance the look. While tape has often been assigned as a neutral it really does not ‘go with’ a lot of other colors and finishes.

Sorry I am confused you can't afford a gallon of paint but you can buy a new sofa????? Do you use this space as guest room ? Maybe just a nice chair and ottoman instead . . You want glam but we have no clue as to what that means to you.

Thank you Patricia colwell consulting- It is really a home office with a guest option so I was thinking a blow up (hidden away) and a chair and ottoman. Main budget focus is the cabinets/ built in desk and shelves to go with existing walls since the paint color is also that of 2 down blackout shades so change would be expensive. What finish? Painted wood in what rich glam color to go wilth with gray fog wall or which wood ? Thanks for your advice

Valinta - what a glorious idea- going through my closet. I am donating the hand me down sofa and just focusing on the cabinets and shelves. I love blues - deep with gold accessories- kinda glam but heard that the painted wood cabinets chip easily and am better of with wood. Do you agree?

I would paint the built ins (or any stand alone shelf unit and desk the same color as the wall (your favored Gray Fog) with a slicker finish, emi gloss or satin. A small space doesn't need alot of contrasting colors to jarr the look. accessories will add the color and texture.

Keep it simple from the jump, it will be full of color when it is finished.

I have no idea what reason there is for blinds to drive the bus I do not see them in the pics you posted so no clue about them Also what size is this space and what really do you need in your office ? Is this an actully work office or a home office . I rearely want to see a bunch of office stuff in open display . I love the idea of the dark blue and brass or gold . Honestly office stuff usually not heavy useage so chipping no a big deal IMO. I think this is pretty glam a bit more minimal in the bookcases but not bad

Before you spend any money, list what needs to go into the office for it to function for whomever is working there. In this digital age, we don’t usually need as much shelf space as we think. I have one two-drawer filing cabinet that looks like furniture and doubles as the printer/scanner stand, and a desk with three big drawers and two little drawers. It’s plenty of space for work as well as household document storage, and I’ve been WFH full time or part time for 30 years. Clutter will result in inefficiency, so if it’s not something you use, it should not be in the room. All my business school books are in a box in a closet - I should have sold them when they still had a little value since they are now super out of date. YouTube and Google are my biggest resources.

You may want to begin by searching for art that includes a deep blue color that appeals to you. This may help you create an overall color scheme that works with your paint color.

Wow! What a wealth of creativity and imagination. Thank you ffpalms for superimposing the art and pillows on the
blinds and wall image to help me “see”. The cabinet is in a pale wood - is that your suggestion for the shelves and cabinet or is it the choice to complement the art? Would it be a different choice if i find a different work of art?

Thank you Lyn Nielson for emphasizing to avoid a lot of contrasting colors. That was my thinking when i selected a shade to blend with the wall. I love the slicker finish for the units - it would add the glam i would enjoy while working in my small space. I am not a good DIY person and wonder if i could find ready made units in that color or could i go a bit darker?

Patricia Colwell Consulting - what is the name for the color in the picture? It is lovely - and maybe it would marry with the fog gray, maybe i could find it in a slick shiny finish. I am a minimalist and do not have much “stuff” much like ShadyWillowFarm. Where do i begin my hunt?

I liked Lynn Nielsen’s suggestion to paint the built-ins the same color as the walls to avoid too much contrast, which is why I looked for a finish close to your paint color. It’s much easier to change out artwork and accessories over time than to repaint or replace furniture.

You didn't post a picture of all the walls in the room but maybe something like this could work? The chair converts to a single bed.

Thanks for built ins color idea but how would i get the glossy glam finish - are they sold with that option or is it a DIY?

what do you mean by glossy glam finish... you can get the glossy glam finish in accessories like a dramatic colored chair (like the pink above) or a fancy/glam light fixture, desk accessories. Keep the hardscape simple. You can prime and paint most shelf units, or buy them in a graytone CLOSE to the color you have on the wall.

first step is to find a shelf unit and desk that will FIT your space. Wayfair.com, IKEA, google affordable shelving units in the size you need and see where it takes you.

You are over thinking this.

Haha . Yes, i am over thinking this and truly value your help. This was beyond my comfort zone but now i have a color - gray tone ( or blue)? and sources. I will go out with a tape measure and begin … no doubt there will be many questions but hopefully i will have new photos.

I know you said you didn't want white for the built-in but if you look at the Ikea Besta or Billy series you'll find that you can build an interesting unit at a budget friendly cost. Complete the look with a desk & chair with a brass base, wall art in a gold frame, and a glam area rug and semi-flush light...

The white would be nice in your small room with gray walls and blind.

Lisedv Yes - yes -yes. BUT i used white for kitchen cabinets and patio cabinets. I want a little more color - will go with the gold glam but gray or blue?

What is your budget? are you ready to have something custom built that can be expensive depending on the extent of your unit? Colours are limited in ready made units.

I am dedicating my budget to the wall unit - it is a small wall -10’ and i will limit it to shelves, built in desk, so i can go for the custom as this is the place from which i will work. So i can go for a good ( almost perfect) color.