Redesigning my office has been so fun and rewarding!
I recently redesigned my office to configure into a space that works well for me. When I originally designed my office, I wanted the space to be vibrant and filled with flowers and plenty of storage. Over the past couple of months, the more I kept staring at the wallpaper, it started to become more of an eye sore and it made the room look too busy. I wanted to create a space that utilized the size of the room, make it breathable, cozy and still incorporate color without it feeling to cluttered and busy.
Redesigning an office space can breathe new life into a work environment, enhancing productivity, creativity, and overall well-being.
1. Assessing Current Office Layout and Functionality
Evaluating Space Utilization
Before diving headfirst into a redesign, it’s essential to take a step back and assess how you’re actually using your office space. Are you making the most of every nook and cranny, or is your printer tucked away in a corner gathering dust like a forgotten relic of the past?
Identifying Pain Points and Inefficiencies
Think about those moments when you find yourself doing a little desk dance because you can’t reach the printer without knocking over your coffee mug. Identifying these pain points and inefficiencies can guide you towards creating a more functional and enjoyable workspace.
For me, the built ins and the wallpaper were the paint points. The wallpaper felt too busy and the built ins created a lot of storage that I didn’t really need and it also wasn’t easy to clean as the paint was matte.
Assessing Lighting, Ventilation, and Acoustics
Let’s shed some light on the subject – literally. How’s the natural light situation in your office? Are you basking in a warm glow or struggling under the harsh glare of fluorescent tubes? Ventilation and acoustics also play a role in creating a comfortable and productive work environment.
This is the only room in my home that doesn’t have lighting, so after 5:00 PM during the winters, I would have to relocate elsewhere in my home. I wanted this space to have a statement chandelier and to inject the room with the brightness it has been desperately needing.
2. Redesigning Goals and Objectives
Defining Aesthetic Preferences
Do you prefer minimal and neutrals? Or do you prefer bright vibrant colors? Vibrant and bright for me, please! Here is the mood board for the office redesign.
Establishing Functional Requirements
Sure, a quirky beanbag chair might look Instagram-worthy, but is it practical for crunching numbers or writing reports? Consider what you actually need in your office space to work efficiently and comfortably.
3. Planning the Office Redesign Process
Creating a Project Timeline
Ah, the sweet satisfaction of crossing off tasks on a timeline. Lay out a clear plan of action, from decluttering to furniture shopping, to ensure a smooth and organized redesign process.
Setting a Budget
Money talks, especially when it comes to redesigning your office. Set a realistic budget that considers both your design aspirations and financial limitations. Remember, creativity doesn’t have to break the bank.
Assigning Responsibilities and Roles
When it comes to major projects that involve painting and carpentry, I leave that up to my contractor. If you’re someone that prefers to DIY then I commend you!
4. Choosing a Design Style and Color Scheme
If interior design isn’t your thing, use pinterest as your inspiration. That is where I get a lot of inspo ideas and am able to bounce my creative ideas when I see how others have styled, designed and redesigned their home.
For this office, I knew I wanted it to be lavender and I also wanted to incorporate a gingham pattern on the ceiling, so it was off to pinterest I went and I was able to find some inspo photos to show my contractor how I wanted the space to look. You can find the links to everything used for my office below:
For my built ins, I wanted to utilize all the books and decor that I own to inject some personality into bookshelf. A majority of the decorative objects you see including the pencil holders, decorative bowls, baskets and trays were pieces that I thrifted over the past two years.
One of my favorite hacks is using doors that are made for dollhouses to cover up an unused outlet. I have two unused outlets in my office and adding these doors adds just a creative and fun way to cover up something that isn’t aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
Overall, I would say redesigning this office was the best thing I ever did. I made the space more functional with also incorporating bits of my personality into it with the styling of the built ins and adding wallpaper to the ceiling.
