I know it might sound a little over-the-top to add a small DIY office area to a vacation rental, but after debating options for the other side of the pantry, readers suggested that a compact desk for email, writing, or quiet reading would be useful in a rental. We ultimately used that space for more cabinets, but kept the idea of a small desk nook in mind. When we finally built this nook at the beach house, we were thrilled with the result: a tiny room packed with function that looks polished and built-in without a big budget or complicated tools.
If you’re looking for shelving inspiration, this post includes 16 DIY shelving ideas and practical tips for turning unused wall space into a functional workspace that fits seamlessly into a small house.
The room sits near the top of the stairs at the beach house and is only about the size of a queen mattress, so it’s never been a proper bedroom. When we bought the house in fall 2016 the space was rough, with damaged walls and tired floors.
With refinished floors and repaired walls, the room now looks dramatically better. We considered turning it into a reading nook, a storage closet, or a baby room for a Pack & Play. When Sherry’s brother visited, the space proved perfect for a Pack & Play, and that made us realize we still had plenty of wall space for storage and a small desk so laptops don’t have to commandeer the dining table.
Best of all, this whole desk-and-shelves project cost only $201. Below is an overview of the materials, budget, and the steps we used to build the desk and add shelves that look custom and cohesive with the house’s existing wood tones.
Materials & Budget
- Two 1″ x 18″ x 72″ pine shelving planks – about $40 total
- Two 1″ x 12″ x 72″ common boards – about $30
- One 1″ x 2″ x 72″ select pine board – about $4
- Two 16″ heavy-duty white shelf brackets and screws – about $19
- Six decorative 12″ iron shelf brackets – about $108
- Wall anchors if necessary
- Wood stain, pre-stain conditioner, and protective sealer – roughly $24 if purchased (we already had these)
- Total spent: $201 (about $225 if you need to buy every finishing product)
The decorative iron brackets were the largest expense, so that’s an easy place to save money by choosing less expensive brackets. We matched these to brackets we already use elsewhere in the house for a consistent look.
Making the Desk
For the desk we used basic heavy-duty white brackets intended to be functional rather than decorative so they visually disappear. The 16″ depth of the brackets allowed us to use 18″ shelving boards for the desktop (actual width around 17.25″).
We located studs with a stud finder and installed the brackets so the top was 29″ from the floor, yielding a finished desk height just over 30″—a standard desk height. After cutting the boards to length, we laid two pieces on the brackets so the desktop would look thicker than a single 3/4″ shelf.
Once stained, we screwed the two boards together from the underside and secured them to the brackets. A 1×2″ face trim, stained to match and nailed to the front edge, hides the seam and softens the front edge—sanding the outside edge first makes it comfortable on your wrists while typing.
Hanging the Shelves
We added two shelves above the desk for storage of linens, repair supplies, manuals, baskets, and decorative items. We reused the same style of iron brackets used elsewhere in the house for continuity. The first shelf sits 26″ above the desktop—high enough not to interfere when standing—and the second shelf is 18″ above the first, which is a common spacing for baskets and larger items. For paperbacks or smaller items, 12–14″ spacing would work better.
When mounting brackets, locate studs where possible for maximum strength, mark level points with a level or laser level, and be sure each bracket is itself level before driving screws. Use pilot holes for easier, more accurate placement. The brackets we used accept the shelves without permanent attachment so the wood simply rests in the brackets for a clean look.
Staining the Shelves
For a smooth, even stain we recommend using a pre-stain wood conditioner. Apply it liberally, let it soak for about 10 minutes, wipe off excess, and then apply your stain. Conditioner helps prevent blotchiness and brings out the wood grain, especially on soft woods like pine.
To harmonize the shelves with the house’s old pine floors, we used a two-step stain approach: a base coat followed by a light top coat to add warmth and a touch of red tone. After staining, we applied several coats of protective sealer to make the surfaces durable for rental use.
Storage & Finishing Touches
With the shelves in place, the little room now stores a mix of practical and decorative items. The nook under the desk is perfect for stashing suitcases during stays, keeping bedrooms uncluttered. We filled the shelves with baskets, magazine files for appliance manuals and warranties, a desk lamp, a clock, and a few decorative touches we already owned.
One favorite find is a brass crab thrift-store piece that now lives on the shelf as a playful beach-house accent. The desk chair and an armchair came from items we already had on hand, and a new cushion refreshed the seating for comfort.
After a few hours of work and around $200, we transformed an underused space into a practical office/storage nook that balances both of our priorities. Sherry has a cozy reading chair and storage for baby gear, and I have a compact desk where I can sit and write. Even Burger seems pretty pleased with the upgrade.
P.S. If you want early access to project ideas, behind-the-scenes updates, and other DIY content, consider signing up for the email newsletter for regular inspiration.
*This post contains affiliate links*