Hello, Darlings! Today is the final reveal of the finished home office renovation project.
With COVID restrictions and online education for children, working from home has become the norm. Many people will never go back to the traditional office work environment. Companies are realizing how productive people can be working out of their home.
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How To Create A Home Office You Will Love
Before COVID struck, I decided to update our home office for Dan to have as his own workspace after retirement. The old home office had dark stained wood trim with heavy ornate office furniture. It was not an environment that was peaceful and productive. So for years, it became a “catch-all” for things that did not have a place.
First Step To Creating An Home Office You Will Love- Clean Out The Clutter
Our first step in the home office renovation project was to clean out the clutter. We actually took everything out of the room. A blank slate is the best way to start. During the “cleaning phase” we were brutal in discarding books, papers, and other knick knacks that had no place in the home office. Other items that were office friendly were organized into pile.
Check out post Decluttering The Nest- How To Dispose Of Unwanted Stuff
Next, Create A Plan
This is the step that many people will neglect. But in creating a plan you address the problems, concerns, and needs of the room. Our issues included:
- Too much open shelving-knick knacks and books made space cluttered
- Not enough closed shelving for storage of office supplies
- Need for file cabinet and filing drawers
- Large L shaped workspace for computer, monitors, printer
Check out the BEFORE pictures in my post- Updating My Home Office Part 1
First Step- Start With Paint
Because our room was so dark, we decided to paint all the shelving. wooden shutters and molding white. This immediately brightened up the rooms. The white paint I chose was Decorator White. The walls were painted a greige color, Amazing Gray, that works will all decor.
Check out great paint color options in my post- Updating My Home Office Part 1
See the office transform from dark and depressing, to bright and airy. All it took was paint. I hired the same carpenter that built my library to add closed cabinet storage and filing cabinet to my wall of shelves. This created much-needed space for storage but also left less shelving for books and clutter.
Check out Home Office Renovation Update- Painting And Finished Cabinets for more pictures and information
Now- Time To Pull It All Together
I am NOT a decorator and do not like to decorate. This is where I called in Anna from Homzie Designs. Anna is my daughter and her company Homzie Designs is a virtual, online decorating service that will pick out the products you need for your space. She gives you the shopping links, installation instructions, and styling tips. All you have to do is click and wait for UPS to deliver.
Homzie Designs is an online interior decorating service that takes the hassle out of decorating, taking your space from “to-do” to ” done!”
The first pieces to come in were a floor rug and curtains from Pottery Barn
Picking Out A Desk
We really didn’t need a desk, we needed a workstation. Specifically, an L shaped workstation that allowed for an area for computers, monitors, printer, and a separate space for paperwork. Because of the size we needed, we could not find the exact workstation online so Anna created one for us.
Our workstation base is from IKEA and the butcher block top from Home Depot. We easily cut the butcher block top to size. Anna and I sanded and sealed the butcher block top so that it would not stain. This was a very simple weekend project. The top required multiple coats and each coat had to dry thoroughly before we sanded.
Everyone Needs A Comfortable Office Chair
My husband had a specific chair he wanted. This chair was the same one he had in his office. Because we added a rug to warm up the office space, we needed to add a vinyl chair pad to protect the carpet from wear and tear, and also allow the chair to move freely.
Add Additional Seating In Your Office Workspace For Collaboration
Whether you are working together on a project or just visiting, it is nice to have a comfy chair for guests. The key is this chair needs to be non-intrusive and not take up a bunch of space. It also does not need to serve as a clutter catcher.
Styling Open Shelving For Home Office.
Beautifully styled shelving can create a calm and stylish work environment. I am not good a styling shelves. Check out this video of Anna from Homzie Designs as she gives tips on how to style a bookcase. (this is my bookcase)
Check out Homzie Designs Like it To Know It page for shoppable links for items to style your bookcase. You can get the app on your phone or shop straight from her page. Look for Bookcase Styling 101
Adding Art Work To Room
I wanted the home office to look complete and stylish. For art we chose pictures from our trips to Rome and Scotlands, framed them in simple black frames.
Modern abstract canvas print from Art.com help bring the color up into the room
Final Finished Project- A Home Office That You Will Love
LOVE! The project turned out better than expected. Now the once catch all room is now a calm and productive at home office.
