Creating A Half Wall Office Niche

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The other day, I began creating a half wall office niche in my apartment dining room. On the other side is the living room, where I placed a tall bookcase and a shorter cupboard to separate the space.

More and more people are working at home these days. And if they don’t have a designated office, they still have to find ways to create an efficient workspace.

I’ve been working from home for quite some time, and I write my posts from my recliner. But I decided I had to get documents and such in one place. I needed to buy a printer/scanner because sometimes you just need one.

So I had to figure out a place to put those things.

this Idea

I wouldn’t be able to find my stamps if my life depended on it because I rarely use stamps and always forget where I put them.

I live in a one-bedroom apartment, as you know. It has 725 square feet. But I finally came up with an idea to organize what needed organizing. To give everything a place so I could easily find it when I needed it.

Living Room View & Dining Room View:

Below is the view from my living room. The tall bookcase is against the living room wall. The shorter cupboard is out in the empty space with the dining area on the other side. So I used the shorter cupboard to create a space with a back where there wasn’t one already.

All I needed was three pieces of furniture arranged in a certain way.

Creating a half wall in the open space between my living room and dining room was the perfect solution. There was more than enough room. And I only used 2 feet.

First, I put the little shuttered cupboard adjacent to the wall. Then my grandson and I put together a bookcase that I needed for books. I lined it up against the wall next to the cupboard.

This creates the illusion of a half wall.

Why I Began This Project:

I began this project because I realized that I can’t find anything when I need it. I’ve lost my Social Security card. I couldn’t find my stamps if my life depended on it.

So even though I really don’t need a full office and don’t have an extra room for one, I definitely needed a designated place.

This is my answer: two wall areas just for my office space. Instead of an L-shape like you sometimes see, this time it’s an inverted L-shape. Created by putting the cupboard in front of the desk, essentially hiding it from view. And thus wrapped around two walls.

This is a more feminine style office area than what I usually choose, after adding the upholstered office chair.

I ordered a real wood desk this time. Not a fake wood desk that would fall apart in a matter of months, which always seems to happen. I ordered a good, comfortable chair with a real-wood base and casters so it would roll.

Ordering Furniture Wasn’t Easy:

And that was no easy feat. Due to the coronavirus, it’s very hard to find desks, office chairs, etc., because people are working from home and most items are sold out.

I put the vintage mailbox on the wall on the other side of the bookcase to hold mail until I have time to go through it.

And I found the little office sign on Amazon.com. And the flower-and-book painting was in my bathroom before I relocated it here.

I painted the little cupboard with the galvanized inserts in Chiffon Cream. It is chalk paint I ordered from Amazon.com.

This cupboard was a bright white color before, and the other furniture pieces were a creamier beige or sand color. I wanted them to blend together better.

Ordering a Printer:

I found this laser printer online at Staples for $139.99, and it was ready to go with Wifi. In the past, I had an inkjet printer, but I always had to order those expensive cartridges.

This printer doesn’t print in color, but I doubt I’ll need anything except black for documents.

Time will tell if I prefer a laser printer over an inkjet. And color cartridges rather than just black-and-white.

I left everything that was already on this wall and added the typewriter print from another room.

Kendra was here on Sunday and spotted it. She suggested putting it above my desk, and it was a great idea. It hadn’t occurred to me.

Lamp & Office Organizer:

The lamp is from Target.

The last thing I was waiting for yesterday was the organizer on the far right. It backs up to the printer and covers most of the back of the printer from view.

I chose it because it has a place to hang file folders vertically in the very back, because there is no room for a file cabinet.

How I Accomplished this Project:

By lining the shuttered cupboard up with the corner, I created an area that gave the desk its own hidden space. It is, as I said, the illusion of a half wall.

I scooted the cupboard toward the desk, and now it lines up perfectly with the bookcase. This completes the project.

In a very small area, I now have a desk and chair, a storage cupboard, and a bookshelf. I achieved this by carving out part of the open area leading to the dining space and using it as a sort of “wall.”

Now I will know where my camera lenses are. My pens, paper, stapler, and tape dispenser.

I added a bit of boho decor to the mix, along with the farmhouse jars and grocery sign that were already here. I guess it’s kind of a feminine boho farmhouse style. I’d say the style is eclectic.

Creating an Office Space in a Small Home:

If you live in a small space and need to carve out an area like an office, consider placing a piece of furniture next to a wall that faces an open area.

I didn’t use more than 2 feet, but that gave me all the space I needed to arrange the desk behind it. In effect, hiding the desk from the view of the living room.

I thought I had things where Ivy would stay out of them, but she quickly became fascinated with the silver desk organizer. So here she is trying to get her nose into the space where I have typing paper.

Last night I found envelopes she’d reached in, taken out, and chewed up, so I had to store the rest of them in the desk drawer.

Now she’s seeing what else she can pry out. Cats are curious creatures.