Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

| By | | 296 Comments

How To Add Some Office Organization

Our office looked like this when we first laid eyes on the house.

Office Before

Then it looked like this on moving day.

Office

 And here’s what it looks like about a week and a half into living here.

Office Main

On one hand, it doesn’t look THAT crazy. I mean there could be a llama standing in the middle of the rug eating popcorn. But on the other hand, this room has a LONG way to go before it’s functional for two working adults (yup, we currently only have one desk going on). And the whole all-furniture-against-the-wall-with-a-little-round-rug-in-the-middle thing is a little weird.

As for what we’re envisioning down the line, we’d love to have some sort of double desk action going on (probably floating or as a peninsula so it’s attached to one wall on the side) with lots of storage and some awesome organization stuff in play. So a few images that are currently inspiring us for this room are:

  • this one (maybe we can add built-ins and a window seat under the bay window?)
  • this one (additional shelving might be handy, and I love how these don’t all line up)
  • this one (those glass fronted cabinets! Me-ow!)
  • this one (cool beams for architecture, fun lighting, graphic curtains, and lots of storage)

While we let things percolate and brainstorm what we really want to gain from the space, I like to gaze at the things that I like in the meantime. Like this corner. Clara reads/hangs out in the chair, and a big leafy green plant in a long low window = one of my favorite things.

Office Corner

Here’s the corner on the other side of the bay window. We leaned our big chalkboard there, and Clara has already been tagging it up, so we like the idea of having some zones for her along with eventually having two functional work areas for us.

Office Corner2

It’s the lightest/brightest room in the whole house, which is just right for an office and a spot for Clara to come in and hang with us, so it’s nice that it worked out that way. This was originally a formal living room, but we don’t need a family room and a living room, and we love a cozy living/family room in the back of the house (where nobody can see our TV glowing from the street). And since that room in the back was also off of the kitchen and in close proximity to the deck along with having a fireplace, we thought the light and bright room that was somewhat closed off from other spaces was the best spot for an office.

Here’s the other side of the room, where the storage/function that we do have is currently residing. The Ikea bookcase on the right was in our sunroom, but that’s an awesome addition since we lost the built-in cabinetry from our previous office. The filing cabinet on the left was always in our office (it’s from Ikea with Hobby Lobby handles) so that’s where the printer hides along with a bunch of files on the bottom shelf.

Office Back Wall

And I can’t believe I’m a blogger who hasn’t put my books in color order yet. Hello? Have I been living under a rock? Turns out it’s fun and takes about ten minutes. I used to wonder “but is it harder to find books because they’re arranged by color instead of topic/author?” But let’s be real. I never arrange them by anything (not by topic, color, or even by size – I usually just randomly stack them everywhere. So it’s just as easy to find them as before, and maybe even faster if I remember one as having a certain colored cover (then I just have to look on that shelf and can ignore 80% of the other books on the bookcase).

Office Bookcase

Among the books are a few file boxes, some notebooks and post its, receipt storage, and little desktop things like our pig speaker dock, a bajillion pencils, and a tiered little white box from Target a few years back with three “inboxes” for storing things like tear sheets, printouts, and other worky stuff. And that’s my little cork board from my closet leaning up against the wall (thought that might be helpful for work stuff – maybe if we frame it out and properly hang it up?).

This shot is just funny to me because it demonstrates that no matter how much help a room might need, if you get close enough, you can usually find something sweet. Crop, crop, baby.

Vignette

Although my favorite shot of the room so far is this one. Sure the lighting’s harsh and it’s a little crooked, but I walked by and saw Clara playing in that big bay window and it was perfect.

Clara Playing

Just like that detail shot two pictures ago demonstrated that moving closer can strategically crop the weird stuff out, this picture is a funny reminder that moving further away can conversely reveal even more to be done. Like more blue trim to paint, more wallpaper to strip…

Foyer Right Side

… and more old carpeting to send packing.

Foyer Left Side

We’ll get there someday.

Psst- Last night we shared our favorite video of all time on Young House Life. Oh man, that kid.

Comments

  1. Deborah says

    Can you say a word about patience? About living with the dissonance between how things are and how you want them to be? Sometimes I find that tension energizing and other times its absolutely crazy-making.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Our first house taught us patience. We moved in and thought “we should be done with everything in a month in time for a house-warming party” – well, that was the crazy talking. Four and a half years later that house was done, and it taught us that you can rush into something that’s meaningful and functional, you can probably rush into something beautiful if you have the money, but if you spend more time thinking things through, it’s most likely going to be a lot more functional and meaningful. So we’re big fans of living in a house and just letting it evolve over time.

      xo
      s

  2. Bethany says

    It has been my goal in life to have a window seat one day. This seems like the perfect room for one, it looks like there is such a pretty view outside! Can’t wait to see if you go for that option or not!

    Reply

  4. Jackie says

    Sorry one more question! Do you bring in contractors/woodworkers to estimate custom built-in options you consider – to know the value you’re putting into your home and how much you’re saving by doing it yourself? I have no idea how much something like that would cost – thousands of dollars?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      That would be fun! We did ask a few locals for prices for things like laying flooring or laying a patio just to know how much we were saving by doing those things, so that would be fun to know!

      xo
      s

  5. mel says

    i can not get over all the blue trim! i’ve never seen anything like it! i would love to travel back in time to when that decision was made and listen to the justification for going blue.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I like to think that on that day 35 years ago, they said “we can’t do this halfway, it’s all or nothing…” and then after a long silence someone screamed “LET’S DO IT!!”

      xo
      s

    • Jennifer says

      Sherry’s response had me snorting into my work keyboard. As far as I’m concerned, that exact scene happened and nobody will convince me otherwise.

  6. Elle says

    A question about the open shelving – is it a pain to keep everything clean and dust-free? You had the open shelving in your last kitchen and I remember thinking “No way would I have that in my kitchen!” But then I’m terrible at maintenance cleaning. One-off closet cleaning? I’m on that. Remembering to dust/vacuum/wipe down once a week? Not so much.

    I think the built in shelves would look fabulous, though. I keep looking around my house wanting an excuse to build some in somewhere.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Biggest thing we miss in the new kitchen: open shelving. I think we’ll have it again. It’s so nice to have things you use everyday at arm’s reach, and since it’s rotated/used so often it doesn’t have time to collect dust. In an office I’m really attracted to the glass doored cabinetry idea though, since office stuff might not be used everyday like bowls and cups and plates, so it definitely could get dusty…

      xo
      s

  7. Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says

    The glass front cabinets look like they could be from IKEA…love that store! Can’t wait to see what you do in this space. I’m hoping to turn mine into a “library” one day. I have a wall where you have a bay window and I’m picturing a romantic fireplace there. :) Dreams, dreams, dreams!

    Reply

  8. Sena Dees says

    I love that Jonathan Adler (?) zebra plate! I feel like every day is Christmas when I check out your blog posts! I love seeing the house transformation process from the beginning! Good luck guys! I know it feels good to have a space resemble your style/function!

    Reply

  10. Aimée says

    Coincidentally, last night as I was dusting my big 5 x 5 Expedit unit I decided to rearrange the contents. So, humming to myself “what would Sherry do?”, I ditched Dewey Decimal and went colour coordinated with the books, added some white ceramic trinkets from around the house for interest and it does look SO much better. Even my husband, who didn’t even notice when I put up the unit initially (!), commented on how nice it looked all rearranged.

    One of our best moves was to rearrange our space to combine a play area with our office so that our girls could play near us while we got to some work – everyone is happier being together.

    So as I find myself often saying, THANK YOU for the inspiration to just get on it!

    Reply

  11. Courtney says

    I haven’t even finished the post, but since you mentioned Llamas, I had to share this video. We got such a kick out of it in college.

    Reply

    • Pamela says

      That’s one thing I love so much about this blog. The comments are so insightful and illuminating. I can’t believe I missed this in 2004, but I’ve been having the most glorious weekend watching the video and memorizing the song!

  13. Tirsa says

    Wow, you’ve really made a lot of progress setting/putting your things out in differrent rooms. Isn’t it amazing how being surrounded by your own things just helps a place feel so much cozier even when the wall color, lay out, etc is not ideal?

    Love that you can work in a sun filled room. Sunshine is so good for the soul. :)

    Reply

  14. Barb says

    Trying to find the right desk for my office is like trying to find the chupacabra!! I have been looking for 3 years & won’t settle for anything than less than what I want. So right now, I have a folding table from Office Depot & an ottoman I sit on; hence I don’t use the office like I would like to. HELP!!! Any good websites for office furniture?

    Ballard Designs office furniture in Tuscan is the only one I have found in 3 years:

    http://www.ballarddesigns.com/tuscan-collection/tuscan-office-solutions/

    Reply

  15. Caroline says

    Do you ever have to work around air vents? I find that’s one of the most frustrating things in a room is to have a “vision” and then there be a stinkin’ air vent in the way! I haven’t ever heard you guys talk about them (and I know vents are in different places in different homes- floor, ceiling, wall). Just curious because I saw one under the window in your office.

    Reply

  16. Crystal @ 29 Rue House says

    We built a double desk with window seat a year plus ago but we have never done the “finishing” touches (like decorate & completly organize) it. So I’m sharing just a couple of links that are a bit embarassing but maybe it will help you get some ideas of what you do and (most likely) don’t like. :)

    Original Post – http://29ruehouse.blogspot.com/2012/07/much-delayed-double-desk-window-seat.html
    Adding Hardware – http://29ruehouse.blogspot.com/2013/05/sticky-drawers-no-more.html
    DIY Cabinet Door – http://29ruehouse.blogspot.com/2013/05/making-bi-fold-doors-for-desk.html

    Reply

  17. Sara Roser says

    WHen was this house built? Our house has the exact same green tile!! Ours was built in 1960! What’s the plans for the tile?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      It was built around 35 years ago (late 70s/early 80s). Seems to have things lots of 50s/60s houses had though (the faux brick linoleum in the kitchen is the same stuff we found in our first kitchen under another layer of the stuff).

      xo
      s

  19. Tyler says

    What about something like the Pottery Barn Bedford Project Table Set? Storage plus seating for two that you can put in the middle of the room.

    Reply

  20. Kim says

    Look at all of that gorgeous light! And all that space! I think it’s such a great thing that you’re trying to incorporate Clara-friendly spaces in your office!

    Reply

  21. Steph Nelson says

    What is that sqiggle line on the side of the stairs?

    Love the big bright windows in that room. I can’t wait to see what kind of paint cololrs you pick out for this house!

    Love the shot of Clara at her desk!

    Reply

  24. Koliti says

    Your “peninsula” desk with shelves pin is comparable to how I organized my craft room. One wall has Closetmaid’s Track Shelving from floor to ceiling (it’s great to have the ability/flexibility to reconfigure the shelving whenever I want). And I have a 6 foot table that is placed perpendicular to the shelves. Also I used to have my craft supplies organized by grouping like items together – now I have them organized by color (roygbv + white, brown, black) and I love it! Now if I want a red ribbon, I just go to the red ribbon/trim shoebox (instead of digging through a bigger box with all the colors tangled up). I also love using clear containers – easier to see what I have.

    Your pin pic is beautiful and it looks like you have a perfect wall for it in the office – can’t wait to see your creative vision come alive :)

    Reply

  27. Leah says

    Know what I’d love to see? I think you could rock the blue trim in at least one room. It doesn’t look so hideous in the office. Maybe an interesting challenge?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Let’s consider it being rocked right now. Haha! We love working with what we have, but we also believe in not holding back and really making a house yours :)

      xo,
      s

  28. Michelle Z says

    “I mean there could be a llama standing in the middle of the rug eating popcorn.”

    One of my favorite surprising laugh out loud reading moments ever. Ranks right up there with the bizarre things thought be The Bloggess. Thanks for the fun start to my day!! (oh, and can’t wait to see how the room turns out and am impressed that its so functional already.) :)

    Reply

  29. Kristen says

    Im just curious, what drives people on the East coast to paint their trim colors other than white??? I live and grew up in CA, but I have family and friends all over the East side. Your pix make me laugh particularly because my in laws (Massachusettes) also have blue and mauve trim! This has always baffeled me. Your taste is amazing and I can’t wait to see what new wonderful things you do with this killer house. =)

    Reply

  33. Elise says

    Hi Sherry!
    I’d love a post with packing/moving tips (especially things like how you make sure your furniture doesn’t get damaged). Are you planning anything like that soon? We’re moving next month and I’m looking for tips!

    Reply

  34. Jen R. says

    Ok, everyone will think I am nuts but I sort of like the colored trim in this one room. Perhaps not that particular shade of blue but I think white walls with colored (non white) trim looks so fun for an office or playroom. Like this…
    http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/la/atla-082608-trim01.jpg
    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xD90sYXS-XQ/TbcGRhGb1DI/AAAAAAAAAns/-l4ZoU1qWHU/s1600/Midwest+Living_trim+1.jpg

    I guess going with one trim color in the whole house would add to the open cohesive feel but I like the idea of colored trim!

    -Jen

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes there are rooms with painted trim on Pinterest that I love, but I think just from seeing this blue everywhere, it’s not on our favorite color list. Haha!

      xo
      s

  36. MJ says

    I’m a big fan of your site, and searched the archive for this question but couldn’t find it…What is the name of the “big leafy green plant”? Is it low maintenance? And where did you get it? This post is very inspirational as I’m moving soon as well.

    Reply

  37. diane olsen says

    I love your new “office” such a cheery bright room for all of you to work and play together. And I’ll just say that blue trim of about 1987 was all the rage back then! I can’t wait to see how you transform your new home to 2013!

    (I decorated my very first young family home in 1987 – with that same blue and I don’t even like blue.) These are your good ol’ days ~

    Reply

  38. Kim R says

    I think you should go for some built-ins, since they worked so well for you in the last house. Right now, it looks more like a playroom with a desk in it instead of an office with a few play things. How would you feel about pulling the desk out away from the wall? You and John could do the facing desks thing, with the desks facing each other?

    I’d find it hard to have to face the wall all the time with those beautiful windows behind you. (Plus, the glare factor.)
    http://pinterest.com/pin/156148312049717849/

    Or this one, but a little less messy and more streamlined. (Love their curtains.)
    http://pinterest.com/pin/15481192438943436/

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, we would either like a floating double desk or one that hits one wall like a peninsula. I think we linked to one back in the comments but it’s not really the colors/style we’d do, but the layout seems great!

      xo
      s

  39. Lindsay says

    I have those glass front cabinets. They are the billy bookcases from ikea and they are super economical and hold so much stuff. But word of advice if I had to do it all over again I would choose the half full door /half glass rather than all glass to hide my not so pretty stacks of things!! Can’t wait to see what you do!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes we love the look of a floating desk, although a peninsula-ish layout might work better so cords aren’t dragging as much. Such a beautiful image!

      xo
      s

  43. Lindsay says

    Maybe it’s just because we live in the north and entertain inside a lot more often, but I absolutely must have a living room and a family room. I need a room for entertaining that is not set up with a TV as the focal point. What are your thoughts on how to use a family room for entertaining?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We have just found that in our first house where we had two we always ended up in the den (with the tv off but where it was cozy and easier to chat and play board games or whatever) so that stuck!

      xo,
      s

  44. Kelly says

    What a great room! All of that light makes for a very dynamic, inspiring space. I love the size, too — it’s easily big enough for an office and a little Clara play area.

    Reply

  45. Liz says

    It looks great so far! I can’t wait to see how you tackle the wallpaper on the main floor! Happy Friday! :)

    Reply

  46. Misti Sciacca says

    L.O.V.E. the new house! I am looking forward to the whole long process! It’s amazing to me how different each room (ones you’ve showed us so far) looks just with your stuff in them. I loved your old house, and your first house, but am soooooooo looking forward to the transformation. Love you guys, and the bean and burger! love your blog, too..keep up the good work.

    Reply

  47. SarahG says

    Love your blog! So much inspiration. <3
    Your new office space looks like a great space. If you ever wanted to add more privacy, French pocket doors would be cool. :)

    Reply

  48. Jen says

    Have you guys posted a tour of the new house yet? I’m curious to see how it flows and the room-by-room “list” you guys have of what you want to change, improve.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes we have posted a video, a to-do list post full of photos of each room and a floor plan if you scroll back a few weeks. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  49. Ariane says

    I just have to tell you this story … I used to work as a journalist in a local TV-station here in France and we were used to having on our daily show people from a famous French circus about once a year. Every time, they would bring along some wild animals (baby tigers, lion, panther and so…) and one day, as I was walking down the hall toward the studio, I saw a coworker at the end of the wall holding a llama by his halter. It was the most awkward seeing of my entire life – I mean, a llama casually standing in the middle of the way at the entrance of a TV studio – and one of my most powerful laughs of all time. Take care !

    Reply

  50. Jessica huber says

    I don’t know Petersik’s, you are trendsetters. Maybe you should stick with the blue trim, wall paper look. Add some border with roosters on it, doilies, over stuffed lazy boy couch and while you’re at it, get a HUGE wood tv that sits on the floor! I already have the cottage cheese ceiling, LET’S BRING IT BACK!
    Seriously, can’t wait to see how it turns out!

    Reply

Stuff We Love

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *