Carving Out Space for a Home Office
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I’m carving out space for a home office in my apartment’s dining area. I’ve decided this is the best use of this space right now.
I decided to have both my office area and craft space in my dining area. My living room and dining room are one long space. So it’s the best area in my one-bedroom apartment to do this project.
I ordered the white office chair from Wayfair. It’s elegant and comfortable. It was just over a hundred dollars. That was most of my budget for this project.
My First Attempt at a Desk:
Last time you saw this space, I had just gotten everything I needed moved in here. I was using a round, brown drop-leaf table I already owned as a desk. But then I found that my new office chair scraped the sides when I moved it.
So I knew I’d have to come up with a different table/desk to keep from ruining my chair.
Suddenly, carving out space for a home office was a little more complicated than I originally thought.
Deciding What to Use for a Desk
Should I get two file cabinets and put a tabletop surface over them? Buy unfinished kitchen cabinets that I could make into a desk?
I looked for days at simple DIY desks online. But I didn’t find anything I wanted to buy or DIY.
So I decided my best bet might be to go with one of those fold-up tables they use at events and large dinners.
It was important that I see the table for myself to make sure it was sturdy enough to support a heavy desktop computer. I couldn’t be quite as sure about that if I purchased one online.
With that idea in mind, I headed to Office Depot to check out their folding tables for my new office space.
I ended up purchasing an 8-foot-long folding table for $109. The box with the fold-up table easily fit into the back of my SUV. I figured if I ever got another desk, I could use the fold-up table for other projects.
This seemed to be the least expensive way to have both an office and a craft space in the same room. And at the same time, take up the least amount of space.
This longer desk option meant I’d have more surface space to spread out when making crafts.
Now, I was ready to roll! I put the furniture in place and began decorating. Then I added what I thought I’d need to the desk, and began a few DIYs to pretty up the walls.
I was happy to have carved out space for a home office that would meet my needs.
Artwork for the Walls:
I decided to create some of the artwork for the wall above my desk. That would save money, and I was kind of looking forward to a little DIY time.
So I created a fabric frame for the clock. Then I double-framed some photos I’d taken and arranged them inside two red picture frames.
Then I came up with the embroidery-hoop art to soften the angles on the wall.
How I Created The Fabric Frame For The Clock
I cut the fabric slightly smaller than the frame’s outside. Then I thumbtacked the red-and-white polka-dotted fabric to the wall and hung the frame directly over it.
The frame covered the fabric, so I didn’t have to consider any sewing or hemming. Then I hung the wall clock in the center.
How I DIYed Double-Framed Images
See the red frames below. The smaller red frame is inside a larger red frame.
The images I used are photos I took. One of a white creamer with red flowers, and the other a red cardinal.
I put the fabric from my stash on the wall first, then added the large frame over it to make it look like it’s actually inside. Then I hung the smaller red frame inside, with the photos I took.
It’s just another little DIY I came up with to decorate this space.
I put paint and glue in the black tiered cupcake stand. That housed these things perfectly, and I can turn it like a Lazy Susan when I’m searching for what I need.
The red textured boxes act as storage for smaller office items.
Embroidery Hoop Art DIY
I used red and white fabric to stretch over the inside part of the embroidery hoop. Then I put the slightly larger part of the hoop over it to secure the fabric.
Then I looked in my linen stash for small white crocheted doilies to decorate the hoops. I also hot-glued buttons to them.
Then I used ribbon to tie them to a nail in the wall.
How I Painted The Clipboards
I applied Frog tape to each of the three clipboards in both horizontal and vertical orientations. Then I painted over the tape with red spray paint. After they were dry, I added the printables.
I printed out the printables with my printer. All the printables were free online. I clipped the printables to the clipboards after painting.
Sometimes you just have to think outside the box to incorporate a small home office in your home. I needed the space for an office more than I needed a dining room.
And now I have this perfect space in my dining room where I can gaze out the French doors and see my beautiful patio garden.
Plus, the coffee bar is just across from the office, so I always have fresh, hot coffee while I’m working.
What I Purchased for This Project:
- Office chair – Under $120
- Black wire basket – $8
- Red spray paint – $5
- White can for pencils – $3
- Three clipboards – $10
My budget for this project was $150. The chair took up the bulk of that. So the total is $146. I got pretty close to my budget allowance for this project.
Carving out space for a home office was fun and gratifying. I accomplished my goal of having a small office in my one-bedroom apartment, even if I had to use the dining room.
Now that everything is in place, I find that I love working in here.
This room is such a wonderful light-filled area. I don’t have this kind of natural light anywhere else in my apartment.
My office chair rolls easily from the office area to the craft-making area. So I’m very pleased with that. It just made everything so much easier.
My house plants love all the incoming light.
I get to watch the squirrels and birds and the leaves falling from the trees while I’m sitting at my desk.
Yes, I think this was my best choice in terms of space and cost.
So cozy that I'd never want to leave! Love it and so inspired by it and your blog! Thank you.
That looks awesome Brenda!! I love that little red fancy bulletin board. Too cute! Thanks for joining Home Sweet Home!
Oh my goodness. Great job on the fun wall. I love every detail! Thanks for sharing at Your Inspired Design!
Such a beautiful space, Brenda. Everything about it speaks volumes about productivity. Organization, inspiration, color, repurposing and personality. I love it all. You are such a clever sweetheart! Awesome job!
Your office is coming along nicely! The gallery wall looks fabulous, love the touches of red! And that was a wonderful idea for the clipboards! I may have to borrow that idea! 🙂 ~Rhonda
Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop
It looks beautiful Brenda, love that you shopped your house for the "desk".
Tania
I am curious about electricity needs and costs across the country. Our bill is generally $16 a month. I think that's pretty low.
I love that you shop your house. I am sure the businesses don't want to hear that, but we need to not always be consuming.
I'm playing catch-up on my reading but wanted to tell you how cute this looks. Absolutely great use of space and the decorations/wall decor are perfect. Great job.
I love this—you did good! I like my work space to be in the 'middle' of things, too.
Jane x
Another decorating task that turned out magazine worthy…
What a cheery office space to work in and having your coffee bar within arm's reach is awesome. I'd love to have a nice big window to look out while I worked. Love it!
Brenda you inspire me.
Great job; love it all, but you probably would have been more comfortable with a desk chair with arms. I find it soothing to be able to rest my arms on mine from time to time. Office Depot always has a deal on expensive arm-desk chairs for so cheap you wouldn't believe.
I love your little office area! I have to work near a window, too. And I love your gallery wall just the way it is, with all the cheerful colors and quotes…and the curtains are so cute, too. I'll gladly send some of this cold air that just hit us from Canada today. It's only 47 right now and going down to 28! Too stinkin' cold already.
It's a very nice and bright home office. I'm trying to send you some Autumn chill.
What a cheerful and creative work area Brenda! I love all that natural light too. Can't believe how hot it is there! Come visit us in Seattle – tomorrow is supposed to be in the 70s and sunny… Then it cools down and the rain returns :/.
Your chair looks great! I do not have an office space in our downsize so I envy yours. I want to try the clip board idea too. I love to print graphics, quotes, etc. In grad school I used an old drop leaf table as my desk. It usually had an old manual typewriter and papers all over it most of the time. ha! Your office with a view is a good thing! Sheila
I taped the clip boards to the wall with this tape that was supposed to be strong enough to hold things like that on the wall. And it worked!
Good Afternoon Brenda, I love that you put things up 'willy nilly' and then change things around if they do not suit. I do exactly the same.
Your office space is so lovely and with all that natural light streaming through the window, it is going to be a lovely place to sit and work.
I love your treadle machine base…. I have one which I am in the process of painting. I still have the original sewing machine inside, although it does not work.
It has been lovely visiting you today.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Best Wishes
Daphne
ivyphyllisandme.blogspot.co.uk
You really have a great talent with mixing various items and hanging them on the wall to enjoy! I just loved your idea of hanging clipboards with quotes that you can change out – brilliant! I love all the splashes of red too. What a fun place to spend your time on the computer!
I"m impressed Brenda, it's cute and cheerful and encouraging!!! So when do you start to write the great American novel?
Jen
It's cute and looks functional – much creativity in this space!
It looks beautiful, Brenda.
Check out Impromptu for an exciting new story!
S
xo
How nice it all looks, Brenda! I can't get over your heat wave! We are to go down to the 20's overnight this weekend.
It looks like a comfy place to write and blog and I love the chair you splurged on. Sitting by a window is always uplifting, especially when your flowers are blooming. I can't even imagine weather that hot this time of year! I was cutting back all my plants today with a winter jacket and gloves on. Your creative space is bright and cheerful!
What better place to have your office than by the doors looking out on your beautiful patio! I think being there to write and blog will be inspirational, Brenda. You always manage to make to make your spaces seem as if they are ready to be photographed by a magazine, a real talent!
Brenda, I love it!!! I know you'll enjoy working in the new space!
It looks great, Brenda! You will really enjoy looking outside while at your desk. You have that magic touch of decorating going on! I am impressed. : ) It got to 95 here today but we are cooling off next week.
I love what you've done so far… but I have one question. Do you REALLY want to be staring at a clock right above your computer??? Maybe put your gorgeous inspirational clipboards in that space, and move the clock so it is not in your direct line of sight…
To me, clocks re so soulless…
I like your space alot! Love the frames, and how you did your clock. Now I'm looking around for a way to do mine. Inspiration!! Looks like you have a comfortable chair!
Brenda, it's super cute! It looks so stylish. xoox Su
I love it, Brenda! So cozy and YOU! Wasn't that clever to hang the clip board on the wall? You smartie! 😉 I hope you're feeling better. I read your past posts about your delima still going on. Hope you get some relief. You should be healed by now! Love your curtains. I have some like those in my den but they are not lined!
Take care and you're always a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Oh my goodness, your office space is beautiful. I love it. Everything about it so nice. The bright lighted space is great. I am like you I want to look out to something pretty. You have done a great job. The gallery wall is beautiful and useful. You are so creative and full of inspiration. You will enjoy your time spent in the space, I am sure. Hugs to you my blogging friend. Karie
Looks like a good set up. A light, bright space. How can you go wrong with the coffee bar right behind you!
Love your creative space Brenda. It is bright and so pretty for colors. Very nice.
Kris
You are such a terrific decorator. Love EVERYTHING. Those curtains look so good. Great find. I'll be keeping her address. The desk is wonderful, and so great to be able to sit and look out on your beautiful patio. I so hope you don't have to move, I love your place!
Well, guess I'll be here awhile. I couldn't satisfy the housing people with the paperwork, so I give up on them. I've jumped through hoops and it's never enough. If something happens, I'll cross that path then.
I love it —- you have a knack! Where did you find the wire basket? Love it. I've been looking for one like it.
Hobby Lobby.
Brenda, I just love it all and don't even know where to start with all the beautiful things. The clipboards are amazing…I love all of the touches of red! And the fabric in the frames, the curtains, the chair, the desk….it is all so gorgeous! I know you love working in this awesome space you have created! And staying under your budget!! You rock chick! Love ya!
Absolutely love this!! Your wall is amazing. Pinned this one to my Walls board. 🙂
Gorgeous. I think it all worked out beautifully. I love the red accents and the clipboards are adorable! Enjoy your office!
Good job with your desk arrangement…..looks so bright and cheerful. I have been trying to come up with a plan to move my desk to another room……failure so far with that project. Can't wait to see what else you have
up your sleeve for your desk area.
No one does 'gallery walls' quite like you do.
And the secret is to just start putting things up willy nilly! If I don't like it, I take whatever it is down, fill the hole and move it somewhere else.
Brenda, it looks wonderful! What a bright, cheerful space to work in – how could you not feel inspired? I adore those curtains, also. In my marital home I had red buffalo check and I've been avoiding it ever since….but I might be ready for it again now that so many years have passed. You've been busy! Ps….100 in the shade where you are and the forecast here says 15 degrees Sunday night. And possible snow. Yikes!
This darling and so cheerful! I love all the natural light.
Love the office. I have a suggestion for the sewing stand/table. Get two pieces of pvc pipe the size of the circles on the bottom of the table, paint them and you have a bottom shelf for a basket of work in progress. The pipe would give you hidden storage as well. You could also put a shelf just below the sewing table to hold your paper. I've been reading your post for some time know and I like your colors and style.
Brenda, it looks great! I love your talent for gallery walls.
It looks great! I love your curtains. Can you share where you got them?
Got them here & they have good prices too…primitivestarquiltshop.com
Very nice…I love it when I can look out a window while I work too.
Joyously,
Betty
Oh I love it, and I love the wall gallery. I also like to be able to look out the window, that makes everything so much nicer. Now you are in the middle of the action just like I am. Nice to be by the doors, the tv and the kitchen all at the same time. Best of all worlds. (P.S.Thanks, I finally figured out the icons.)