My husband’s home office has a part-time night job as our guest room. I’ve been talking about the guest room half of the story here and here, but this is what the other half of the room (the home office half) looks like by day. Of course it didn’t always look like this.

We started a few years ago with a small office armoire which was intended to close up at the end of the day and make the home office part “disappear”. But the armoire, as it turned out, could not contain all the office clutter so in actual fact it was the futon that would disappear until we had word that guests were coming. You can imagine how stressful it was to get ready for overnight guests. (click on photos to enlarge)

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The room is small and there’s no way that our home office could give up its night job so we needed a solution that would maximize space without compromising function.

We mounted an Elfa wall system (which I love because it is so sturdy and yet allows for seemingly unlimited personalization). Then we “contained” all the cables and gadgets and disks and manuals and files and so forth in boxes and binders and sorters. I think I went to five HomeGoods stores to find matching black faux leather bins in just the right size for the top shelf but it was worth it. I’m still on the hunt for a few more bins in the right sizes/color but all in good time. (For a red and white office look using the same Elfa shelving click here).

We added a desk where the armoire used to sit to provide a writing space with a pull-out keyboard tray for his main computer. When guests come it provides a surface to place their personal items as well.

No, it’s not a dream office or a dream guest bedroom but it is a highly functional one. Little by little I think it’s starting too look more attractive too.

Does your home office have a night job? How have you managed to make one room do double duty and still look great?