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Create a Home Office on a Shoestring
If you have space for a desk and chair, you have space for a home office, no matter what your budget is
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
Who says a home office requires fancy built-in desks and walls of custom shelving? With strategic planning and a little imagination, you can put together a stylish, functional workplace on a dime. The 11 spaces shown here are easy to recreate and reinterpret with minimal damage to your wallet.
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by Nicole Lanteri
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| An odd, unused nook practically begs to be put to work. Here, the wide double window frames a cozy, ultrafunctional setup. The old-fashioned chair complements the equally old-fashioned radiator. |
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This little niche, the most popular home office on Houzz in 2011, gets star treatment from a dramatic, sideswept curtain that picks up the vivid turquoise wallpaper. The functional touches are first-rate: a wall-mounted rack for office supplies, a floor bin that corrals papers and periodicals, a swing-arm lamp that preserves desk space.
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Replace the desk chair with a suite of dining chairs, and this office could be mistaken for a spot to entertain guests. The tailored ottoman, gold lamps and muted palette make it appear sophisticated, but it's really a simple setup at heart. A sideboard is an ingenious stand-in for a credenza.
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As sweet and nostalgic as a childhood homework desk, this space has roomy drawer storage that offsets the need for shelving. I love that the curtain can be closed against distractions or pulled aside for moments when a little extra sunshine or daydreaming is called for.
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by Ish and Chi
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| Who knew ordinary plastic folding tables could look so chic? Pair them with a cool chair, add a flirty chandelier and some well-arranged art, and you've got an office that's easy on both the eyes and the bank account. |
by Nicole Lanteri
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Never underestimate the power of paint. A vivid finish makes bulletin-board frames look upscale, and you could dress up even the most inexpensive furnishings by painting them to match. An IKEA dining table makes a spacious substitute for a desk; a floating shelf from the same company boosts the work area.
| By itself, this salvaged-wood slab could have looked a little too plain. What elevates it: a pair of different chairs, each striking in its own way, plus a handful of well-chosen accents. It would be perfect for a rustic cottage. |
by SFGIRLBYBAY
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This office-dweller must have taken a cue from the iconic British poster on the wall. Calm is the operative word for this tiny workspace: The white-on-white-on-white approach and clean lines unify the major elements, and the art provides just enough color to keep it from becoming bland. And you can never go wrong with a Parsons table.
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There's an old quip that Southerners don't buy furniture, they have furniture — and boy, does that hold true in my house. So I was super-inspired to see this antique cabinet turned into office shelving.
Even if you don't have a surfeit of case goods, flea markets and thrift stores are great places to look for affordable ones, and they're perfect for creating storage in the exact spot you need it.
Even if you don't have a surfeit of case goods, flea markets and thrift stores are great places to look for affordable ones, and they're perfect for creating storage in the exact spot you need it.
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| Nothing about this room says "office," but look closer, and you'll see how cleverly it's arranged. The worktable, lamp and chair blend seamlessly with the refined trappings, while guests or clients can have a seat in the cushioned chair opposite. If your home is tight on space, you could take this approach in a living area also. |
by Maria Killam
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It would have been easy to let this awkward corner languish unused. Instead, it's rescued by a shallow desk and portable filing cabinet that, combined with the art on display, turn it into an appealing little work area.
Next:
How To Turn Your Closet Into an Office
How to Set Up a Great Workspace for Two
Budget-Friendly Home Makeover Ideas
Most Popular Home Offices Added to Houzz in 2011
Next:
How To Turn Your Closet Into an Office
How to Set Up a Great Workspace for Two
Budget-Friendly Home Makeover Ideas
Most Popular Home Offices Added to Houzz in 2011
Comments
Bright Bold and Beautiful Love #1 by the window - what a cozy little nook with sunshine!!
17 months ago · Like
Amy Renea The first and the last are my very favorites!
17 months ago · Like
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jdahl Where does the desk lamp plug in? Cords are always a problem when floating furniture.
17 months ago · Like
Cynthia Adam None. Although #1 is cute, nothing in these pictures is functional except that they are all very stylish. I'm a bookkeeper who works from home, so based on these photos I would have nowhere to put anything and good luck sitting for 7 hours in one of those chairs. It would be great if designers could also design with function in mind.
17 months ago · Like
spendley3 I'm with Cynthia, and I also work from home. While attractive, none of these designs is useful nor ergonomic. Tables too high (or low) and chairs -- well, the chairs are ridiculous. After a few days of this, one would have back, neck problems and probably headaches too. But, at least the space is cute.
15 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Dec. 27, 2011.
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