My husband and I needed working office space in our house (and the kids aren’t moving out soon…). So we decided to divide our long family room. We divided it by adding an entertainment unit between the two spaces. One side is the T.V. and display shelves facing the family room (see top photo). The other side is the “wall” of the office area. We designed the office to fit the space. We purchased used black file cabinets for the base of the unit. The Formica “granite” desk top was custom made in two pieces for a perfect fit. My husband made the white upper cabinets for more storage. I recovered the chairs in a red textured fabric (not hard, a little sewing and stapled on seat fabric.). There’s a large patio door with lots of light, breeze, and a view so its a comfortable place to work. With so many people working from home these days, what are some things you’ve done to make your office “work” for you? Love to hear!
I needed more storage, so I found some red boxes that kept the clutter controlled and still were decorative. I’ve seen some great looking sturdy boxes in many homestores, as well as all the matching accessories, pencil holders, note pads, index boxes etc. Really dresses up a space.
P.S. I cleaned it up just for you!!! (thanks for the motivation)
I just looked back in my recent photos and saw these beautiful office accessories from HomeGoods. They made quite a statement. Thought you might like to see them.
1. Hi Cathy,
This is so lovely! It serves the multi-purposes and still provides the office space required for you and your husband. I love those red boxes for organization. But most of all, I really like the multi-talents of you and husband.
by Betty — 7/5/07 at 12:40 pm #
2. Wow, once again you did it girl! This is beautiful!!!
by Deb — 7/5/07 at 12:59 pm #
3. Cathy,
What a great idea!!! I love it! Especially the colors!
alli
by Alli — 7/5/07 at 1:24 pm #
4. Cathy - that is so clever, and functional! I love it.
by Stephanie — 7/5/07 at 4:02 pm #
5. Hi Betty,
Thanks for your nice comments. Yes, my husband and I are a good team…I tell him what to do and he does it…LOL. Thanks again.
Thanks Deb, I want your Crock Pot Chicken recipe back. Where did it go??
Hello Alli,
Thanks so much. The colors run through the house. Its cheery and simple. Take Care!
Hello Stephanie,
Yes, its very functional and that was the main purpose for the space.
Thanks for writing in.
by Cathy — 7/5/07 at 9:57 pm #
6. Hi, my first post here. Thanks to this blog, I finally got myself to a HomeGoods store—twice in one week! I felt like a little kid in a candy store. I filled up a cart of goodies my first time around; today, I decided to just look around (I’ve been spending way too much recently!) so I didn’t grab a cart. What I forgot was how ingenious I can be when it comes to dragging stuff with my bare two hands. Sales people offered to get me a cart a few times but I figured, once I start dropping things, it’s time to head up to the cashier.
Didn’t mean to hijack your thread Cathy. But it’s all your fault, really! Your enthusiasm is so contagious, I just had to find a store near me
And your recent project is just awesome! Kudos to you and your DH for a great teamwork!
Lea
by Lea — 7/6/07 at 2:59 pm #
7. WELCOME LEA,
I’m so glad you posted here after experiencing all that HomeGoods has to offer. You are now an official member of the H.F.C. (Homegoods Fanatics Club) ! Ha! It only takes a trip to HomeGoods to get you hooked.
Thanks for the kind words and great shopping story. Please write back soon and tell us of your next adventure at HG. Take Care.
by Cathy — 7/6/07 at 5:24 pm #
8. Dear Cathy,
I have been busy entertaining out of town company this past week and was so thrilled to see your most recent post…you definately have a flair for decorating and your home must be beautiful. I love the way you rearranged that room and made it work for both you and your husband. I plan to make my den in my home in florida work for me and also function as an extra sleeping spot for company..what is your feeling about daybeds (crate and barrel has a darling one called the simone daybed) verses sofa sleepers? I am starting to put together ideas for that room and would be interested in your thoughts…enjoy your new office/family room….I love it! Margie
by margie [...] — 7/7/07 at 9:08 pm #
9. Margie,
Great to hear from you again! I’m glad you liked the office area. Living in this area of California, home prices are pretty outrageous! So any time you can find extra living space in what you already have is a real plus.
Your question about the daybed or sofa sleeper. First you need to decide how many you may need to sleep in your den. The daybed will only sleep one whereas the sofa sleeper will sleep two. The Simone daybed is very stylish. Love the look. But if it doesn’t serve the function , (remember, form follows function), then its not the right choice. There are very stylish sofa beds as well. Some other options, a built in wall bed (Murphy), a twin day bed with a trundle. So, a few ideas to “sleep” on. LOL. Always nice to hear from you. Write back soon.
Take Care, Cathy
by Cathy — 7/9/07 at 6:02 pm #
10. Thanks Cathy,
You are absolutely correct when saying I need to decide how many people I want to sleep in the den when visiting…having a second home in Florida means company is coming more often..so I most likely need to go with a sleeper sofa…but I love the look of the simone daybed featured in this months country living..check it out..they did a great job desigining that room..I have often heard real estate is very high in California..my daughter is visiting a college friend in SanDiego at the end of this week on her way to Hawaii..so I am sure I will hear alot about the area from her….Margie
by margie [...] — 7/10/07 at 8:08 am #
11. I just wanted to make a comment…I think this is the best blog I have seen since sliced bread!! The ideas here are endless, for all the rooms. Thank you all soooo much!
Heading right to Home Goods first thing tomorrow morning, I can’t wait!
by Rosemary — 7/10/07 at 8:15 pm #
12. Cathy
I loved the office!
Can you tell me the size of the space?
My husband & I are trying to create more office space and this might work for us.
by Rosa — 7/10/07 at 11:14 pm #
13. Hello Rosa,
I’m glad you like the office. The actual size of the office area is 8′ by 8′.
(there is an additional 3′ of space to a patio door .) 2 people can work in it and not feel crowded. The counter top depth is 29 1/2 “. The file cabinets are 26″ deep. We have 3 “letter” size and 2 ‘legal ‘ size file cabinets for the base. If you need any more measuremnets let me know.
Good luck on your office.
by Cathy — 7/11/07 at 12:18 pm #
14. Hi Rosemary,
So glad you’re enjoying the site. Yes, there’s lots of great information and many ideas that are generated here. Its because of people like you adding your great thoughts and ideas. We all inspire each other. Thanks for writing in.
by Cathy — 7/11/07 at 12:33 pm #
15. Hi Margie,
Your Daughter will love San Diego. I did look at the simone daybed. Very stylish. Love the look. If you really wanted to use it in the guest room, you could always get one of those nice blow-up air beds for guests and you’d have more sleeping space but still have the great look of the daybed when guests arn’t there. Not a bad idea. Give it some thought.
Write back.
by Cathy — 7/11/07 at 12:43 pm #
16. this looks fantastic . what a great idea and well executed!
by cyndie — 7/11/07 at 7:43 pm #
17. HI Kathy,
I love your decorating and ideas. I also love decorating and am in the process of doing my sons new home. I have one quick question for you. He needs privacy at night in the back of the house (kitchen, family room) I am thinking that white wood blinds are about his best option (he likes roman shades) but I told him they are either up or down. Do you think the blinds would look ok at night? Not too white looking compared to everything thing else? In the eating area there is a sliding glass door (which I hate) and Im thinking whatever drapes I do I would put a panel there to be pulled shut at night
Thanks for your comments
Terry
by Terry — 7/12/07 at 8:38 am #
18. Thank You Cyndie !!!!! write in again!
Hello Terry,
You’re right about the roman shades. Either they’re up or down. Sometimes you need a little more light control during the day. Thats why the 2′ wood blinds are nice. They tilt so you can control the light. The blinds would be fine at night. Dress them up with a fabric valance or cornice and use the same fabric for the patio door panel. They also have a vinyl 2″ blind. Cleans easily, cheaper, great for high humidity and cooking areas. I’m with you. Take Care.
by Cathy — 7/12/07 at 12:26 pm #
19. Cathy (not Kathy) Sorry
Thanks for your advice I appreciate it. I was over there today and will send you pics when Im done.
by Terry — 7/12/07 at 7:07 pm #
20. Hi Cathy,
Once again I appreciate your advice…I think my husband would rather go with a sleeper sofa in the den…He feels those daybeds are not functional or comfortable to sit on when not being used to sleep on…I have alot of time to think about this project..I won’t be back in Florida until October and would like to get the room done by Easter…so my Grandaughter can use it when she visits. I know my daughter Ali will love SanDiego..she loves every city she visits. Thanks…Margie
by margie [...] — 7/15/07 at 9:13 am #
21. Hello Margie,
Yes, you have a little time to think about and research the options for your den. Always think about how the room has to function first then go from there. Let me know how things progress. Write back soon.
by Cathy — 7/16/07 at 11:52 am #
22. Thanks Cathy, your room designs are truly awesome. I love this blog, this is a great place to go to get some fresh ideas. My house needs HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have not been to HomeGoods, but plan to go soon. I love this site!
by Rhonda — 9/20/07 at 9:07 am #
23. Hello Rhonda,
Thanks for your nice comment. I’m glad you’re enjoying the site. There’s some great ideas and information from all the bloggers here. We all inspire each other and thats what makes this so exciting. You’ll have to check out a HomeGoods store, you’ll be in for a treat!
Keep logging on, there’s always something new here.
by Cathy — 9/21/07 at 10:56 pm #
24. Gorgeous rooms! Where in the world did you get the beautiful tv/display cabinets that divide the living room and office space? I’ve been looking everywhere for some large pieces like those for my living room, but the prices I’ve found for good quality wood pieces are outrageous. Let me know if you know of a place I could get something like your cabinets on a budget. By the way, does Homegoods have cabinets/shelves like that?
by Jessica — 11/18/07 at 10:05 pm #
25. Cathy,
I love what you and your husband did in this room! Did he make the shelving units first from scratch and then attach the doors? We like this idea but do not want to use file cabinets underneath. we would like something that would have some drawers and cabinets but do not want to go to big expenses if you know what I mean. I would also like to use this room for sewing at times. Let me know what your ideas would be. Thank you!
Dawn
by Dawn — 7/20/08 at 6:26 pm #
26. Thank you Jessica,
I’m waaaay late answering your question. Sometimes they get away from me… Sorry!
The cabinets, we got at an unfinished furniture store. This is a great resource. They usually have a large selection of styles and sizes, or they can sometimes make a piece to fit cheaper than having a built-in made. Look in your area for ” unfinished furniture ” places to see if it will work for you. We painted them ourselves to match all the woodwork. HomeGoods may some pieces like these. Keep checking back with them.
Hope you find some.
by Cathy — 7/21/08 at 1:26 pm #
27. Hello Dawn,
Thank you, I ‘ll tell my husband you liked his work. We built the upper cabinets to fit the space. Knowing we wanted the files for the bases. Yes, he made the whole thing from scratch because of the size we needed and set-up we wanted. I’m sure you could find some ready made cabinets that would be easier to put together. Even kitchen cabinets and bases might work for your needs…drawers etc. Look at discount builders suppy places for ready-made cabinets. If they’re not the right color you can always paint them if you get a good deal on the pieces. Measure and draw out a space plan first before you shop for them. Counters are the last thing. You might be able to buy some premade to save on cost.
We’ve enjoyed our little office, it’s very functional and looks good in the open area…when it’s cleaned up LOL.
Good luck, look around for inspiration.
by Cathy — 7/21/08 at 1:47 pm #
28. Hi again Dawn and Jessica,
I should clarify which cabinets we bought. The tall entertainment unit that divides the two areas we bought at an unfinished furniture store. The office cabinets over the desk, my husband made. That should clear it up.
by Cathy — 7/21/08 at 1:53 pm #