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And Now, I’d Like You to Meet: My New Home Office

January 28, 2010 by Kristen

Our house is definitely not big, but it’s right for us. We use every spare inch of it, except for one room: our formal dining room. We just aren’t formal kind of people, but even rarely used, it holds an old table and thrift store chairs. And dust.

I’ve been itching for a home office for months. We can’t justify moving and I simply don’t want the expense or headache of one.
[I couldn’t find a lot of inspiration for such a transformation. I googled and asked friend’s opinions, I made my hubby move furniture in and out and was actually unsure of this idea.]
But I finally got up the courage! So. I talked my hubby into letting me change our formal dining room into a home office. (He was very agreeable, he just didn’t think it would look that great).
Before:

(Yes, that’s the table that got hung in the doorway at midnight. It was hilarious, but only to me. My hubby did not laugh one bit).
After:

This is now the busiest room in the house! My hubby included (yes, he loves it!)
What I did:
I kept the paint, curtains, rug the same and two of my dining room chairs. I just didn’t want to spend more money than needed. I also kept my dining room hutch.
Nearly everything else came from Ikea! You can really stretch a dollar in that store. We bought the gorgeous chair, shelves, desk (which is really a $69 dining room table!), and storage boxes. I got the desk lamp and skirt around the desk (which is actually one curtain panel I cut and velcro’d) at Target.
This room inspires me.
Who knows, I might even write a book in it!

114 Comments Filed Under: DIYP, Uncategorized

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. 1

    Vicky says

    January 28, 2010 at 8:26 pm

    It looks great!

    Reply
  2. 2

    melissa says

    January 28, 2010 at 8:30 pm

    GORGEOUS!!!

    Reply
  3. 3

    Phoebe @ Cents to Get Debt Free says

    January 28, 2010 at 8:30 pm

    I LOVE it!

    Reply
  4. 4

    Tammy says

    January 28, 2010 at 8:30 pm

    Bee-YOO-tea-ful!!!!

    Reply
  5. 5

    Kat @ Inspired To Action.com says

    January 28, 2010 at 8:31 pm

    That is brilliant! I love it…

    Reply
  6. 6

    Cassie says

    January 28, 2010 at 8:32 pm

    Beautiful! Great job!

    Reply
  7. 7

    Skooks says

    January 28, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    It looks great! Now if only I had a formal dining room I could turn into a sewing room I'd be all set. My current office shares a room with the playroom and guest room. No room left for more stuff!

    Reply
  8. 8

    Superchikk says

    January 28, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    It looks awesome! I'm so glad you did away with the formal dining in favor of the office. You will love it and your family will too.

    Reply
  9. 9

    Melanie says

    January 28, 2010 at 8:50 pm

    It's breathtaking!!!! Please come do the same to my formal dining room that I use probably once a year 😉 LOVE IT!!!! GREAT JOB!!!

    Reply
  10. 10

    Mandi @ It'scome2this says

    January 28, 2010 at 8:51 pm

    It's beautiful!!! I lost my formal dining room last year … to a play room:( Definitely worth it but still makes me a tad sad!

    Reply
  11. 11

    Amanda says

    January 28, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    I think it looks amazing!!! Excellent job!

    Reply
  12. 12

    shana says

    January 28, 2010 at 9:01 pm

    nice work, it looks great!
    blessings,
    shana

    Reply
  13. 13

    The Activity Mom says

    January 28, 2010 at 9:05 pm

    Wow! Looks great! Love it!

    Reply
  14. 14

    Jennifer says

    January 28, 2010 at 9:06 pm

    Now that's an office!!

    Reply
  15. 15

    Tina says

    January 28, 2010 at 9:11 pm

    That is AWESOME!!!

    Reply
  16. 16

    JunkCollectorGirl says

    January 28, 2010 at 9:17 pm

    Fabulous! My sister actually did the same thing with their teeny formal living room – since they do all their "living" in their bigger, comfier family room. Without seeing the results (yours and my sister's) I would think the idea sounds really weird, but it's really a great use of space. Families are living differently these days than when some of our houses were built, so you might as well change the rooms to suit the way you really live. Brava!

    Reply
  17. 17

    Shoofly Mama says

    January 28, 2010 at 9:18 pm

    Oh, wow! WOW! LOVE. IT! Need to show my hubby to see if I can do the same with my "you walk into the front door and this is what you see" room in my house. We can't make up our minds what to do with it, but I think he might go for something as put together as that!

    Reply
  18. 18

    Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    January 28, 2010 at 9:23 pm

    This room is fabulous! I know you will get a lot of use out of your new office. Great job.

    Reply
  19. 19

    Janet says

    January 28, 2010 at 9:24 pm

    He doubted you?

    You outdid yourself!!

    Janet

    Reply
  20. 20

    RLR says

    January 28, 2010 at 9:25 pm

    Oh, it's LOVELY! We made our DR into a "kid office" but it's not nearly so cozy and inviting!

    Reply
  21. 21

    Merrie says

    January 28, 2010 at 9:27 pm

    Very pretty room! Looks like a wonderful room to feel inspired in.

    Reply
  22. 22

    Crysm says

    January 28, 2010 at 9:33 pm

    That is a fabulous transformation!! Great work!

    Reply
  23. 23

    Jessica says

    January 28, 2010 at 9:38 pm

    Oh, wow! Looks great!

    Reply
  24. 24

    Carri says

    January 28, 2010 at 9:39 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous. I love your new home office truly inspiring and so calming.

    Reply
  25. 25

    Henley on the Horn says

    January 28, 2010 at 9:46 pm

    Gorgeous! Will you come and find room for one in my house? I love it!

    Reply
  26. 26

    Henley on the Horn says

    January 28, 2010 at 9:46 pm

    Gorgeous! Will you come and find room for one in my house? I love it!

    Reply
  27. 27

    Joy says

    January 28, 2010 at 10:01 pm

    Haven't been by in awhile! That looks sweeeeeeeeet!

    Reply
  28. 28

    Bennett Family says

    January 28, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    Love it, you did a great job!
    We just turned our formal living room into a home office, even put doors on the open doorway. We Love it and it gives my husband more privacy and quiet when he works from home.

    Reply
  29. 29

    Michelle says

    January 28, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    That came out great!

    Reply
  30. 30

    bridget {bake at 350} says

    January 28, 2010 at 10:09 pm

    Love it, love it, love it! Love the skirted table…and the shelves…and the chair. I was waiting to see that hutch on the curb, though! 😉 If it starts to feel too crowded in there, I know someone who will take it off your hands!

    Reply
  31. 31

    Jessica says

    January 28, 2010 at 10:13 pm

    I like it! And I recognize that chair as the backdrop for your hubby's He Said videos!

    Reply
  32. 32

    Laryssa Herbert says

    January 28, 2010 at 10:23 pm

    Ahh…reclaimed space…so wonderful. It looks lovely! Great job.

    Reply
  33. 33

    MaryBeth says

    January 28, 2010 at 10:29 pm

    That's an incredibly cool transformation for use of space!! I wish someone would come and do that to my entire house… I haven't any creative genes whatsoever!

    Reply
  34. 34

    Jackie says

    January 28, 2010 at 10:37 pm

    Love it, love it! What a great use of space!

    Reply
  35. 35

    Cari Kaufman says

    January 28, 2010 at 10:43 pm

    Wow! This is awesome! Can you come do this for our dining room!

    Reply
  36. 36

    christa elyce says

    January 28, 2010 at 10:47 pm

    yes this room rocks! Write a book. I'd read it! lol! congrats! Just hit ikea today myself and came out with some great finds!

    do you shop the As Is section ever?

    Reply
  37. 37

    Elizabeth says

    January 28, 2010 at 11:05 pm

    I love it! It totally looks like a picture from a magazine. I bet your house feels a little bigger, now that you've got a "new" room to use!

    Reply
  38. 38

    Gramma 2 Many says

    January 29, 2010 at 12:06 am

    Just doing a little blog surfing tonight and hit upon your blog. Love the new "office." Great transformation.
    I also appreciate your candor and honest testimony in He said She said.
    It is a blessing to others to see you work through this and continue on in Faith and Trust. What the devil means for evil, God transforms into good. Paraphrased by me:)
    I also hope your trip to Kenya is one of great reward. I went to Tanzania in '08. A trip I will never forget, and hope to be able to repeat in the time I have left here on earth.

    Reply
  39. 39

    Jo says

    January 29, 2010 at 2:39 am

    What a lovely space – I would love to work at that desk:) Jo

    Reply
  40. 40

    sevenalstons says

    January 29, 2010 at 5:02 am

    So gorgeous! And so organized… I appreciate the inspiration 🙂

    Reply
  41. 41

    Tonia says

    January 29, 2010 at 5:41 am

    IT is wonderful! Do you want to come help me at my house?

    Reply
  42. 42

    SkylarKD says

    January 29, 2010 at 6:30 am

    Oooh, I love the fabric!
    Congrats on a great room renovation!

    Reply
  43. 43

    Tammy says

    January 29, 2010 at 7:30 am

    I love it!! Now maybe I'll go work on my craftroom.

    Reply
  44. 44

    Sue says

    January 29, 2010 at 7:35 am

    Looks great! Nice to picture you there composing your fun posts!

    Reply
  45. 45

    CraftGirlAlli says

    January 29, 2010 at 7:54 am

    can I hire you to redecorate my house? lol. I love what you did with it!

    Reply
  46. 46

    Emily E. says

    January 29, 2010 at 8:00 am

    wow- that's fabulous! I LOVE it! I may have to bookmark this one for inspiration later. 😀

    Plus, it looks like the perfect place for sipping sweet tea!

    Reply
  47. 47

    homebody0404 says

    January 29, 2010 at 8:04 am

    Kristin,

    Very nice! If I lived there, that room would inspire me too!!!

    Reply
  48. 48

    everyday mom of one says

    January 29, 2010 at 8:12 am

    Great Idea,we would never use a formal dining area either. We like our shared kitchen/dining space.

    Reply
  49. 49

    Kara says

    January 29, 2010 at 8:32 am

    Wow! Great looking room! Now I want a home office!

    Reply
  50. 50

    Courtney says

    January 29, 2010 at 8:33 am

    I love love love how this turned out!! We didnt build a dining room in our house for the same reason, it wouldnt get used but wish I did just so I could do what you did 🙂 very very very jealous of ikea though, closet to me is about 9 hours away!

    Reply
  51. 51

    Nancy says

    January 29, 2010 at 8:40 am

    I have no doubt you'll write a book in there! It's gorgeous! Great job!!

    Reply
  52. 52

    MommaJen says

    January 29, 2010 at 8:53 am

    great job! I too was skeptical, but it's lovely – no crazy cords or "cheap looking" furniture!

    Reply
  53. 53

    Tawna says

    January 29, 2010 at 8:56 am

    Oh that looks WONDERFUL!!!

    Reply
  54. 54

    nicole says

    January 29, 2010 at 8:57 am

    Fantastic! It doesn't look too much like an office with the hutch still there and the cozy chair. I would want to be in that room all the time. 🙂

    Reply
  55. 55

    Jenny says

    January 29, 2010 at 9:01 am

    Wow, this looks amazing. Can you come decorate my house?

    Reply
  56. 56

    These Are The Days says

    January 29, 2010 at 9:01 am

    Adorable. Good job. We made our formal dining room into an office too. Get's way more use!

    Reply
  57. 57

    The Nester says

    January 29, 2010 at 9:09 am

    I bet that room is feeling so happy and loved right now!! Good for you and it looks so beautiful. Oh, and um, manly too for your husband.

    We are using our tiny dining room space for a sitting room and I'm so happy with it. Although, really, we still never use it. Sad.

    Reply
  58. 58

    Kay says

    January 29, 2010 at 9:19 am

    I love it! So wish we had an extra room to convert. I would do it in a heartbeat! : )

    Reply
  59. 59

    TidyMom says

    January 29, 2010 at 9:22 am

    I LOVE it Kristen!! I've been looking for a hutch in my office…love yours!!

    Reply
  60. 60

    Wifeof1Momof4 says

    January 29, 2010 at 9:31 am

    Wow.. great transformation! I use our living as an office, but it looks NUTHIN like this! You have great creative skills.

    I might have to steal the shelving, I KNOW that is what is missing here. And to think I was gonna use a cork board, but this looks so much better!

    Great job!

    Reply
  61. 61

    Jendeis says

    January 29, 2010 at 9:31 am

    So beautiful! I absolutely love the colors. Will be saving the pics in my ideas file. 🙂

    Reply
  62. 62

    jodi @ back40life says

    January 29, 2010 at 9:32 am

    great job – love all the black and white! know you'll super enjoy it!

    Reply
  63. 63

    Jaden Paige says

    January 29, 2010 at 10:56 am

    I love it! It came out absolutely gorgeous, the colors are FANTASTIC!!

    Reply
  64. 64

    Crystal says

    January 29, 2010 at 11:27 am

    Oh my lands, I love it. So does my husband.

    After seeing this we spent 20 minutes staring at our dining room- we could do this, and this, or that….

    I love how you use things like curtains from Target my fav store too, and re-purpose them.

    You are talented, woman!

    Reply
  65. 65

    Staci says

    January 29, 2010 at 11:28 am

    Beautiful! We are getting ready to move back to Houston and I can't wait to decorate my new house. Where did you get the chandelier?

    Reply
  66. 66

    Tina says

    January 29, 2010 at 11:49 am

    I found SO. MUCH. STUFF. at Hobby Lobby today that would look fabu in your new office – I thought of you when I saw it 🙂

    Reply
  67. 67

    Erin @ Closing Time says

    January 29, 2010 at 11:51 am

    WOW!! It is truly a thing of beauty!! I love it!! 🙂

    Reply
  68. 68

    Janet says

    January 29, 2010 at 12:19 pm

    Hey! I found these frames that would look great in your new room. They are part of a giveaway!

    Check it out:
    http://littlebgcg.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-very-first.html

    Janet

    Reply
  69. 69

    Kimberly says

    January 29, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    I would buy and read any book you wrote! 🙂 Great room! 🙂

    Reply
  70. 70

    MollyinMinn says

    January 29, 2010 at 1:33 pm

    Looks fabulous! Love it.

    Reply
  71. 71

    Melissa R says

    January 29, 2010 at 2:09 pm

    It's perfect. I know it's nice to turn an unused space into something that gets LOTS of use!!

    Reply
  72. 72

    Shelley says

    January 29, 2010 at 2:09 pm

    Wow! That looks great. You've inspired me to reclaim and redo my home office space. I've already got those Ikea shelves too!!

    Reply
  73. 73

    The Scooper says

    January 29, 2010 at 2:19 pm

    Oh my! Can I come use your desk? I love it! Makes me want to drive 2 1/2 hours to the nearest idea and make a home office. Beautiful space. {I came over from the Nester's tumblr site.}

    Reply
  74. 74

    Anonymous says

    January 29, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    WOWSERS! That looks awesome! Way to create Kristen!
    Kim in Alabama

    Reply
  75. 75

    Beth says

    January 29, 2010 at 3:36 pm

    That looks fabulous! Great job!

    Reply
  76. 76

    Mindy says

    January 29, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    I like it better as an office than a dining room. Love the skirted table. FUNctional and SO cute!

    Reply
  77. 77

    Danise Delights says

    January 29, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    I LOVE it!!! Great choice for color and decor! 🙂

    Yay! A fresh new place to be creative in…

    Can't wait to hear more about that book. 🙂

    I have been working on one for about 5 years now.

    Blessings

    Reply
  78. 78

    grannyann says

    January 29, 2010 at 4:21 pm

    You did a great job with the conversion.

    Reply
  79. 79

    Angie says

    January 29, 2010 at 4:34 pm

    You have such great color sense and taste! I love how you were able to use a lot of your things, and since you did, it blends right in. I love it!

    Reply
  80. 80

    Mama Bear says

    January 29, 2010 at 5:24 pm

    I love it! We did something very similar except instead of an office, we turned ours into a reading room. We had only used our formal dining room 3 times in 3 years and now we spend more time in this room than in any other. Check it out http://adventuresofmywonderfullife.blogspot.com/2010/01/bee-in-my-bonnet.html

    Oh and I love your blog. I only recently found it and tune in every day! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  81. 81

    pleated poppy says

    January 29, 2010 at 6:21 pm

    love it! such a great use of otherwise wasted space!

    Reply
  82. 82

    Multi-tasking Mommy says

    January 29, 2010 at 6:56 pm

    Beautiful!
    I love how you tied it all in together!

    Reply
  83. 83

    Table4Five says

    January 29, 2010 at 7:31 pm

    Color me jealous! That room is GORGEOUS!!!

    Reply
  84. 84

    Tami Q. says

    January 29, 2010 at 7:41 pm

    Oooh, I love it!

    Reply
  85. 85

    Rebecca D says

    January 29, 2010 at 8:11 pm

    I really, really like this! Weonly use our dining room when we have company, about 8 times a year… I don't know why I never thought to claim that space before…

    Reply
  86. 86

    Tamara B. says

    January 29, 2010 at 8:15 pm

    I just love it and you sure did an amazing job!

    Reply
  87. 87

    Christina says

    January 29, 2010 at 8:19 pm

    Just beautiful! Black and white are my absolute favorite!

    Reply
  88. 88

    Cindy says

    January 29, 2010 at 9:25 pm

    So pretty. Love the black and white with red. So classy. I think it would be one of my favorite rooms in the house too. Glad hubby likes it too. 🙂

    Enjoy it!
    Cindy

    Reply
  89. 89

    Lisa @ Simplified Saving says

    January 29, 2010 at 9:44 pm

    This is totally inspiring. We are in the process of totally redoing our house and we need to do something with our office. I love the way this turned out! Can you come do my office next?

    Reply
  90. 90

    momma24 says

    January 29, 2010 at 9:46 pm

    That looks amazing!! I am so jealous. 🙂

    Reply
  91. 91

    Karo says

    January 31, 2010 at 12:55 am

    Your new office is gorgeous. I am loving your blog so much! Just stumbled onto it a couple of days ago and watched your Chik-fil-A sweet tea vlog. Well today I found this video by Tim Hawkins singing a song called Chik-fil-A and I immediately thought of you. It is hilarious. He's a Christian comedian if you've never heard of him, so nothing to worry about there–he's just really funny. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsJHqstPuNo&feature;=related

    Reply
  92. 92

    Amy Lynne says

    January 31, 2010 at 6:45 am

    Looks great! I love Ikea, but unfortunately (or fortunately if you ask my hubby) we have to drive 2 hours to get to one. We've started changing our formal dining room into a project/sewing/creating area for my boys and me. I agree it is a much better use of space. GREAT JOB!

    Reply
  93. 93

    marineswife says

    January 31, 2010 at 1:10 pm

    It looks fabulous!

    Reply
  94. 94

    Lynn says

    January 31, 2010 at 7:06 pm

    Really lovely. What a great use of space. You may just be the next TLC home decorating diva.

    Reply
  95. 95

    Wander says

    January 31, 2010 at 8:17 pm

    It is gorgeous! I love it!
    I'm inspired too!

    Get busy…..write sister write!

    Reply
  96. 96

    Linda@Coastal Charm says

    January 31, 2010 at 8:59 pm

    It looks sooooo PRETTY…lovin' the black and white!

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  97. 97

    Julie says

    January 31, 2010 at 9:04 pm

    Kristen, I know this has been said 95 times, but it looks awesome!! Very nice. I especially love the shelves and black storage boxes!!! =)

    Reply
  98. 98

    Heidi@TheCraftMonkey says

    January 31, 2010 at 11:00 pm

    jealous, jealous, jealous! that room is GORGEOUS!!!

    Reply
  99. 99

    Amy@TheCircusMcGurkus.blogspot.com says

    February 1, 2010 at 9:46 am

    I love, love, love it! I have always thought of offices as kind of junky looking and pretty boring. You have changed my mind completely. We do have a dedicated office that is kind of junky and boring, but I am so inspired to remedy that now! I have about 15 other projects lined up first, but I am looking foward to making our home office looke beautiful

    Reply
  100. 100

    Sarah says

    February 1, 2010 at 10:35 am

    I love it! It is so pretty!!

    Reply
  101. 101

    Becca says

    February 1, 2010 at 1:37 pm

    WOW !! This is beautiful !! AND, functional … excellent job !! Thanks for sharing. Beccs (Adventures in Decorating)

    Reply
  102. 102

    Rhonda says

    February 1, 2010 at 3:57 pm

    WOW!

    Reply
  103. 103

    Marla Taviano says

    February 1, 2010 at 4:02 pm

    Great job! Our dining room has been a home office for me and hubby from day one (almost 4 years ago). We LOVE it.

    Reply
  104. 104

    Megan@SortaCrunchy says

    February 1, 2010 at 8:10 pm

    Holy MOSES that turned out cool! I love it. SO practical and SO pretty! Nice work, mama.

    Reply
  105. 105

    cassandrasmom says

    February 1, 2010 at 9:46 pm

    What a great transformation!

    Reply
  106. 106

    Anonymous says

    February 2, 2010 at 9:07 pm

    Your post totally inspired me (and my husband). We had 5 (yes 5) people and 4 computers sharing our current office (formerly the formal living room). Within 24 hours, the dining room is now MY office and I can breathe again. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  107. 107

    Laurie says

    February 3, 2010 at 6:27 am

    You did a FABULOUS job! Wow! I just looks like it was meant to be! Love it!

    Reply
  108. 108

    Cathy says

    February 3, 2010 at 11:09 am

    Looks AWESOME! Um…can I come work in your office? I WISH I had a space like that!

    Reply
  109. 109

    Cathy says

    February 3, 2010 at 11:10 am

    I will not covet. I will not covet. I will not covet.
    😉

    Reply
  110. 110

    Kathy says

    February 6, 2010 at 12:59 am

    Fabo! Love it. Good for you.

    Reply
  111. 111

    Debbie says

    October 1, 2010 at 3:48 pm

    So pretty. Love it all.

    Reply
  112. 112

    Christie says

    October 15, 2010 at 5:42 pm

    What a beautiful space!!!! Great job!!!

    Reply
  113. 113

    Tracy says

    October 15, 2010 at 8:15 pm

    What a great office! I love the red, black and white and you did an awesome job! It is just gorgeous! :o)

    Reply
  114. 114

    Miranda says

    October 18, 2010 at 2:07 am

    Oh my goodness – this is SO NICE!! I would love to have an office like this!!!!!

    Reply

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