Our office looked like this when we first laid eyes on the house.
Then it looked like this on moving day.
And here’s what it looks like about a week and a half into living here.
On the one hand, it doesn’t look that chaotic. There could be a llama in the middle of the rug and you might not notice. On the other hand, this room still has a long way to go before it functions well for two working adults. Right now we only have one desk set up, and the current arrangement — furniture pushed to the walls around a small round rug — feels awkward for a home office intended for two people.
Our long-term plan is to create a double desk setup, likely a floating desk or a peninsula attached to one wall to keep the center of the room open. We want ample storage, smart organization, and zones that balance work needs with family life. Some of the ideas inspiring us for this room include built-ins and a window seat under the bay window, staggered shelving that breaks up symmetry, glass-fronted cabinets for display and storage, and architectural touches like ceiling beams paired with interesting lighting and bold window treatments. All of these strategies will help maximize function and style in a bright home office.
- Built-ins and a cozy window seat under the bay window to add storage and character
- Staggered open shelving that mixes open and closed storage for visual interest
- Glass-front cabinets to protect and showcase books and supplies
- Architectural beams, layered lighting, bold curtains, and plenty of built-in storage
While we let ideas percolate, I like to notice the small things that already make the room feel promising. For example, one corner has a comfy chair where Clara reads and hangs out. A tall, leafy plant in a low window adds life and makes the corner feel inviting — a favorite sight that reminds me why we chose this room as our office.
On the other side of the bay window we leaned our big chalkboard, and Clara has already been drawing on it. We like the idea of creating zones for her — a play-and-read corner — alongside two functional work areas for adults. Zoning the room will keep work areas efficient and give Clara a place to be nearby without getting in the way of office tasks.
This room is the brightest and lightest in the house, which makes it ideal for a home office and a space for Clara to join us. It used to be a formal living room, but we prefer a single, cozy living room in the back of the house. The back room has the fireplace and is close to the kitchen and deck, so those features make it better suited as the main family room. The bright, somewhat separated front room found a new purpose as our office, and the natural light is perfect for productivity and play.
On the storage side, we repurposed an Ikea bookcase from the sunroom, which is helpful since we no longer have built-in cabinetry like in our previous office. A compact filing cabinet houses the printer and important documents. Shelving holds a mix of books, file boxes, notebooks, receipt organizers, and desktop supplies like a small speaker dock, pencils, and a tiered inbox for printouts and tear sheets. A small cork board from a closet is leaning against the wall for now; we plan to frame and mount it to keep notes and inspiration visible.
One small, satisfying change was organizing our books by color. I’d never tried it before, and it took about ten minutes. It’s surprisingly practical — I don’t arrange books by topic or author, so color-ordering makes them easy to scan visually. If I remember a book’s cover color, I can find it faster without scanning the entire shelf.
This room still needs work: more trim to paint, wallpaper to remove, and old carpeting to replace. But there are already sweet moments here — Clara playing in the bay window, a cozy reading corner, and bright light that makes the room feel welcoming. With a thoughtful double desk plan, built-in storage, and a few finishing touches, this light-filled front room will become a highly functional and beautiful home office.
We’ll get there someday, one project at a time.
Psst — last night we shared our favorite video on our family blog. That kid is just the best.