Bookcase and rug that is on the top of our list so far.

I haven’t looked at pottery barn for furniture! We have discussed only 2 of the larger pieces instead of all 3. And we talked about shelves too. All great ideas!

IMO closing off that space could have a huge impact on heating and cooling and honestly will always be a LR no matter what you do. I would like to see a to scale floor plan of the whole house IMO usually there can be a spce much better suited to a home office. Also a lot more info as to what you need the home office for/ Do you work from home all the time . What do you need to have in this space if you work from home ? I agree large tall anything will make that space feel even smaller. Before doing anything change the lighting to all LED 4000k and the entry light needs to be replaced for sure .

Hi Patricia, we live in a 1958 ranch style home. There are no other options unless we add on to the house. It’s a simple 3 bed/2 bath. 1 dining area. My husband has moved from our bedroom to the laundry room and now is in the dining room. He works from home at least 3 days a week. I appreciate your thoroughness but we feel this is our only option and understand that for most it will always be a LR.

Other ideas, while I’m still browsing for inspiration of something more open and airy.

That room is perfectly suited for an office and bookcases on the short wall will be great!

Thank you!

Now thinking an office credenza/low bookcase of some kind on the back wall with doors and an L-shaped desk by the window. To keep things open and not too heavy.

1) do freestanding bookcases, not built in. 2) no crown molding -- doesn't fit the style of the house.

beyond that, does "home office" mean a place where somebody works in solitude at their computer, or has in clients, or has a drafting table, or...?

Everything will be freestanding.

Home office = Working in solitude. Just computer and calls. No clients will be coming to the house.

Any zoom or such calls that require best lighting for presentation?

We are adding some canned lights for lighting. But zoom calls and lighting are not a priority. Love how detailed you all are!

Here are some of our office designs. Please note the shelving, rugs, lighting, desks, and various other decor items.

Rollingwood New Build · More Info

Chloes Bloom New Build · More Info

Westminster Glen · More Info

Family Retreat · More Info

Your spouse needs to provide input on how he uses his office space, wherever it is. In the posted pictures, I see all those beautiful tables in the middle of an "office", and they don't look at all like real life. In my office, I have my laptop, monitor (some people have two monitors), docking station, charger for my phone and the cords for all of those. And pads of paper, pens, pencils, a couple of file folders, coffee cup, water bottle, post-its, etc. And envision the cords off the back of those beautiful tables, and all my stuff accidently getting pushed (by me) off the back of the tables. How will your spouse use his space?

In my home office (which I'm using about 90% more than I thought I would be), I have an adjustable-height desk with the long side against what would be the long side wall in your pictures, with the short end of the L in the front corner. My monitor is in the corner, and my laptop to the side. I can work relatively undisturbed, but look left and have a nice view out my front window. (My office is square, but I do have a wall of built-in shelves against my "back" wall, the same place your short wall is in your house.)