Here’s how our office looked the first time we walked through the house.
And this is the room on moving day.
About a week and a half after we moved in, it looked like this.
On the surface it doesn’t look totally chaotic — though there’s still a long way to go before it functions well for two working adults. Right now we only have one desk set up, and the furniture pushed against the walls with a small round rug in the center feels awkward. The goal is to create a more practical, productive layout that blends storage, organization, and style.
Long term, we’re picturing a double-desk solution — likely a floating desk or a peninsula attached to one wall — with plenty of built-in storage and smart organization. A few visual ideas inspiring our office refresh include:
- A layout with built-ins and a window seat beneath the bay window to maximize seating and storage
- Open shelving arranged in an unexpected, staggered pattern for visual interest and easy access to items
- Glass-front cabinets to display pretty objects while keeping things contained
- Architectural beams or decorative trim, strong lighting, graphic curtains, and ample storage for a balanced, stylish workspace
While we’re brainstorming the final plan, I like taking small moments to enjoy what’s already working in the room. For example, this corner has become one of my favorites: Clara reads and plays in the chair by the large window, and a tall leafy plant in the long, low window brings a calm, natural touch.
On the other side of the bay window we leaned a big chalkboard against the wall, and Clara has already taken to drawing on it. That made us think about creating defined zones: dedicated spaces for her activities alongside two functional work areas for us.
This room is the brightest in the house, which makes it perfect as an office and a place where Clara can hang out while we work. It used to be a formal living room, but we prefer to keep a cozy family room in the back of the house. Since that back room connects to the kitchen, deck, and has a fireplace, the bright, slightly separated front room made sense for an office.
On the opposite wall we’ve consolidated the storage we do have. An Ikea bookcase migrated from our sunroom and now fills the gap left by built-in cabinetry from our previous office. A small filing cabinet houses the printer and important files on its lower shelf, helping to keep the workspace organized.
I finally organized my books by color — something I’d wondered about for ages but never tried. It only took about ten minutes and already feels rewarding. Color organizing doesn’t make books harder to find for me, it’s actually easier since I can remember a cover color and zero in on the right section of the shelf.
Among the shelves are file boxes, notebooks, receipt storage, and everyday desk items like a speaker dock, plenty of pencils, and a tiered inbox tray for printouts and tear sheets. I also have a small cork board propped up, which could be framed and mounted later to serve as a functional pin board.
This close-up proves that even in a room that needs a lot of work, you can find small, sweet details worth keeping. A little cropping and staging can highlight those moments.
My favorite shot so far is of Clara playing in the bay window — the light and her presence made the room feel exactly right, even if the photo is a bit crooked.
Stepping back reveals more to do: trim that needs repainting, wallpaper to remove, and older carpeting that’s ready to go. It’s a process, but we’re excited about the direction and the practical design ideas that will turn this bright room into a beautiful, functional home office and family-friendly space.
We’ll get there one step at a time.
Psst—last night we shared one of our favorite videos on Young House Life. That kid is priceless.