The (Not-so) Great Home Office Makeover

Lately, I’ve been thinking I need a space of my own.

When I started writing about five years ago, I chose to work in the dining room―which gave me an excellent view out the front of the house and of the backyard―so I could keep an eye on my boys when they played outside. It’s worked pretty well, except that I have to clean up all of my folders, books and papers (ie. junk) whenever we have guests.

I also have no place to hang writing-related memorabilia or inspiration boards for my work in progress. And I’ve got an award or two I picked up as an unpublished writer  hidden in a drawer somewhere.

My current writing spot in my dining room, which gives me a view of the front and backyard. (This is the cleaned-up-for-company version.)

Since the boys are older now and I no longer need to keep as close an eye on them (at least not when they play outside), I’d like a place to shelve my research books and favorite things, while also centralizing my writing tools and needs in one place.

Luckily, we’ve got a study that pretty much no one uses. It’s the place sports equipment is dropped and old instruments go to gather dust. The book shelves are a mish-mash of old children’s books and other books that are not really keepers.

The “Before” picture of the study no one really uses. It doesn’t look bad, but it’s not really conducive to writing. I’ve had that couch almost 20 years and, even though it’s still in good shape, I think it’s time to give it away to open up the space.

A key part of the makeover is budget…as in, I don’t really have one. So this is going to have to be a thrifty redesign. Remember that old HGTV show, Design on a Dime? That’s kind of what I’m going for here.

To start, I went in search of a deal at an antiques place near where I live. The shop has an annual “Ground Hog Day Sale” where I’ve managed to find some treasures over the years. This time, I came away with a couple of great finds, including a black painted wood desk with nice clean lines. And the price tag? An amazing $69. Sold!   

My new desk on display in the shop. For $69, I snapped it up.

My new desk in its new space, but not its final spot. Let the (not-so) Great Home Office makeover begin!

My next big question is what to do about the shelving unit. It was a freebie when we moved into the house and looks much better in pictures than it does in real life. Should I paint it black and keep it or is it time to start scouring Craig’s List for a nice set of shelves? Decisions, decisions…