Do you hear that high-pitched cheer? That’s me in Richmond celebrating the completion of our office/guest room/playroom makeover. Come on in and take a look. To appreciate the transformation, here’s how the room looked when we moved in:
And here it is now, fully converted into a multifunctional space:
This room is just a 10 x 10.5-foot box, but it gets the best light in the house, so it’s become the ideal spot for working, playing, and hosting overnight guests. We spend long hours here—blogging, playing with Clara, and welcoming visitors—and making the most of the square footage was the main goal. The makeover combined smart storage, multifunctional furniture, and a few DIY solutions to maximize both style and usability.
To keep the footprint efficient, we built a shallow DIY desk that sits neatly beneath the window and doesn’t block the sofa bed when it’s opened. The desk was crafted from a repurposed door and gives us generous workspace without taking over the room. Under the desk we added a compact blue filing cabinet for paperwork and supplies, and woven baskets on the tall bookcase near the window keep files and office accessories organized.
Storage was a priority throughout the project. We installed shelves and bookcases where possible and added a storage ottoman that holds Clara’s toys and blankets. The ottoman frees up floor space and keeps the play area tidy. A sleeper sofa with a full-sized mattress offers comfortable seating during the day and a proper bed for guests at night, which opened up functionality without crowding the layout.
Small design choices make a big difference. Patterned chair cushions tie the seating together and add comfort for long days at the desk. We already owned the chairs, and inexpensive cushions brought them back into rotation perfectly. A few ceramic pig hooks—simple, affordable, and slightly whimsical—serve practical needs (holding paint decks and hanging small items) while doubling as decorative accents.
We paid special attention to making the room an inviting play area for Clara. A magnetic wall under the window and a DIY flash-card clothesline offer tactile, hands-on elements for play and display. The postcards and small objects on rotating shelves keep the wall gallery fresh and personal—many were kindly sent in by friends and readers from around the world, and we store extras in the top compartments of our filing boxes so we can swap them in whenever the mood strikes.
Wire management was another important piece. An eco power strip and simple bundling with binder clips keep cords neat and out of sight so the room looks streamlined and uncluttered. Our wireless printer and other electronics are tucked into storage so the space never feels too work-focused when guests arrive.
The closet got a refresh, too. What had been a dark, underused space is now a functional closet that stores linens and guest belongings when the sleeper sofa is in use. Thoughtful closet shelving means less running back and forth to other rooms during visits and more room for guests’ luggage and clothing.
We also added a mirror that doubles as a dry-erase to-do list. It’s handy for last-minute hair checks and for jotting quick reminders. When guests stay over, we erase our notes and replace them with a warm welcome message, which feels both practical and hospitable.
Overall the makeover focused on flexible pieces and DIY solutions that stretch our budget while delivering a polished, organized room. Below is the budget breakdown so you can see how costs were allocated:
- DIY pendant light: $32
- Homemade desk: $70
- File cabinet: $20
- File boxes & desktop cubby: $42
- Chair pads: $12.50 each
- Postcard shelves: $23
- Postcards: free (gifts from friends and readers)
- Large bookcase: $69
- Baskets: $40
- Storage ottoman: $27
- Full-sized sofa bed: $699
- Magnetic primer for wallflowers: $21
- Clothesline materials: $20
- Pig hooks: $5 each
- Closet shelf: $12
- Eco power strip: $39
- Wireless printer: $79
- Total: $1,238 (or $539 without the sleeper sofa)
We’re proud that the entire project came in at just over a thousand dollars while adding a two-person desk, shelving, a sleeper sofa, storage ottoman, pendant light, filing solutions, a wireless printer, and more. Many comparable updates could have easily pushed the budget into the multiple thousands, so stretching our dollars through DIY work, repurposed pieces, and careful shopping felt particularly satisfying.
Most of the work was completed after Clara arrived, which meant fitting projects into nap schedules and tagging in and out for childcare while the other tackled painting or building. It was a true team effort, and the result is a bright, functional space where we spend a huge portion of our time and where guests always feel welcome.
We’re already excited for the next mini makeover—maybe the sunroom—so stay tuned for more projects and ideas on making small spaces multifunctional, organized, and comfortable.