I know it sounds a little odd to add a small office area to a vacation rental, but when we were deciding what to do with the wall opposite the pantry, a number of people suggested a compact desk nook for checking email, writing, or quietly reading. We considered it, but ultimately used that space for extra cabinets (you can see that work elsewhere on the site). Still, we liked the idea of a small built-in desk and shelves somewhere in the beach house, and eventually found the perfect spot.
We’re really happy with the result. The room is small but incredibly functional now. Turning unused wall space into a neat, built-in-looking workspace is simpler than it seems — it doesn’t require expensive materials, complex tools, or advanced carpentry skills. Anyone can create a polished, practical area with a few basic supplies and minimal time.
If you want more shelving inspiration, there are lots of DIY shelving ideas out there, and this little project is one straightforward example.
The room sits at the top of the stairs and is roughly the size of a queen mattress, so it never worked as a bedroom. When we first bought the house the walls and ceiling were in rough shape and the floors were painted — you can see the “before” look in our photos. After refinishing the pine floors and repairing the walls, the space felt completely different.
We debated turning this space into a reading or game nook, a storage closet, or a small sleeping spot for a baby in a Pack & Play. For a while it was mostly a catchall for miscellaneous items, but when Sherry’s brother visited the room proved to be an ideal small sleeping space after we moved a chair and side table into another bedroom and set up the Pack & Play.
With that arrangement we realized the opposite wall still offered plenty of room for storage and a small desk — a place to use a laptop instead of spreading out on the dining table. The whole setup cost us $201. Here’s what we used and how we built it.
Materials & Budget
- Two 1″ x 18″ x 72″ pine shelving boards — 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 — around $19
- Six decorative 12″ iron shelf brackets — about $108
- Wall anchors if needed
- Wood stain, conditioner, and sealer — roughly $24 if you need to buy them (we had these from another project)
- Total spent: $201 (or about $225 if you buy everything)
The decorative iron brackets were the biggest cost. If you want to save money, choose simpler brackets or fewer decorative elements — the project still looks great with more budget-friendly hardware.
Making the Desk
We built the desk using sturdy, white heavy-duty brackets that visually disappear and provide a deep, strong surface. The 16″ bracket depth pairs well with 18″ shelving boards (actual width often measures about 17.25″). I used a stud finder to mount the brackets into studs for maximum strength; if studs aren’t available in the ideal location, use appropriate wall anchors.
The top of the bracket was placed 29″ from the floor so the finished desktop sits just over 30″, a standard desk height. I cut the boards to length, laid two pieces on top of the brackets (to make the desk look thicker), and after staining screwed them together from underneath and secured them to the brackets. To hide the seam along the front edge, we nailed a 1 x 2″ pine strip to the front and stained it to match — it gives a finished look and slightly increases the desk width.
A quick sanding of the front face piece before staining makes the rounded edge comfortable on your wrists while typing.
Hanging the Shelves
We added shelves above the desk to provide the storage we wanted for linens, repair supplies, manuals, and other odds and ends. We used the same decorative iron brackets for consistency with other rooms. The first shelf was mounted 26″ above the desk, high enough to avoid head bumps. I located studs in the wall, marked level lines across the mounting points with a laser level, and then mounted the brackets, taking care to level each bracket before fastening.
The brackets we used included screws. Use pilot holes and the correct driver (a ratchet or hex head) for secure fastening. The second shelf sits 18″ above the first — a common spacing that accommodates baskets, boxes, and larger decor. If you plan to store smaller items like paperbacks or board games, consider spacing shelves 12–14″ apart instead.
One thing we like about the iron brackets is that the wood shelves simply rest in them, so they can be removed or adjusted without permanent attachment.
Staining the Shelves
A couple of staining tips: always use a pre-stain conditioner on soft woods like pine to reduce blotchiness and enhance an even finish. Apply the conditioner, let it soak for about 10 minutes, wipe off excess, then stain. The conditioner costs only a few dollars and gives a much better result.
For this project we matched the stain treatment used elsewhere in the house to blend with the refinished pine floors. We started with a base coat of Puritan Pine followed by a light coat of Colonial Maple, which adds a subtle warm tone to mimic older heart pine. After the stain dried we applied a few coats of protective sealer before rehanging the shelves.
Storage & Finishing Touches
Once the desk and shelves were installed, Sherry organized the shelves with a mix of functional and decorative items. The nook under the desk became a convenient place to stash suitcases during stays, keeping them out of the bedrooms but handy when unpacking. Many of the decorative pieces were things we already owned, and we added a few practical items like a desk lamp, magazine files for manuals and warranties, and a clock.
We also included a few personal touches: a thrifted brass crab that opens for tiny storage, an old dining chair repurposed as a desk chair, and a comfortable thrifted armchair with a new cushion. The result is a compact, multiuse space that satisfies both of our needs: storage for me, a cozy chair and baby-sleep setup for Sherry, and a little office area for both of us.
Even the dog seems pleased with the new nook. Overall, this small project turned a neglected space into a tidy, useful area with just a few hours of work and a modest budget.
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