Any design advice on home office built-ins?

last year

last modified: last year

Hi. My contractor provided this plan for my home office's 172 inch long wall, 9 ft high, custom built-ins, incorporating a kneehole space, cabinets and shelving. There's crown molding at top, and he has the whole mid section recessed more than the cabinets at either end, just for interest. I can't say I'm in love with the design and wonder if it's just me or if anyone has suggestions to improve? Thank you!

UPDATE: Phoned a friend who incorporated your suggestions and some of her own. Began with floor plan like MillworkMan suggested. She off-centered the wall unit to allow a guest chair area, made the center sections jut out deeper than the end cabinets, added downward lighting at tops of 3 open sections, shortened height of each shelf making them appear wider, and raised the height of the end base units to better accommodate printer and shredder. I like that the door widths are more similar than before, but I'm still a little hesitant about the look of the double cabinet at the far right with single at left. I understand it, though, and appreciate seating space and less to dust! Thanks so much, all, and if there's even more, let me know! (Contractor can produce professional drawings.)

Featured Answer

RedRyder

last year

Unless you have a lot of books, open shelving isn’t ideal in an office. Doors that hide everything are better. I have two armoires in my office that contain many unattractive-but-necessary items. Plus drawers in my executive sized desk for files, pens, etc.

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Comments (9)

Kendrah
last year
What do you need to store? How many inches of books do you need to shelve? Any chance this room will ever be used as a den or tv room? Perhaps you want a large center section with a painting hung now that could be replaced by a tv if you desire it in the future.

I'd prefer counter height lower cabinets across the bottom for maximum storage - you can get a printer in there, and other storage. Then book shelves on top with a main opening for a large picture.
millworkman
last year
Is the a birds eye view of this built in? Something for context?
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
We need info and honestly I really dislike wall of storage and display in a noffice . Is this a home office or an actual working office ? What do you do in there ? Where is this space in the house ? So much info needed to answer this question. I for sure would not want my desk crammed in betweeen two tall cabinets that jut out furthere than my desk. A pic of the space and a ot more info please .
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
last year
I would assume that the kneehole space is for a desk and chair. But that's a very tight space for any work to be done. And I'd want the desk space to be much deeper than the cabinets, not the other way around. Without dimensions, it's difficult to give any advice. Or maybe you will have a freestanding desk, but in that case why the kneehole?

This begs the question--why is the contractor designing the office? You should have a design professional draw something up that the contractor builds. Or you are the designer.
Candice Smith
Original Author
last year
Thank you! The kneehole is another workspace for a large monitor. There will be a freestanding desk in front of it with a laptop to swivel between both. I like your suggestion to reverse the jut-out to the mid section vs ends! I also feel like the shelves don't look wide and elegant like my pics did. You're right that I should have begun this project with a designer. Thanks again for steering me that way!
Valinta
last year
Maybe work with an office space interior designer who can then relay the plan to the contractor. Professional interior designers are invaluable.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
Waht picture did you have ? Maybe post that here . But really an actual working office needs design that actually works not just looks pretty so yes an office designer could be a huge help .
PRO
Alstatt Interiors
last year
I’m not in love with the symmetrical open shelving either. It feels forced. I would widen the closed wall cabinets or have 2 sets of closed cabinets with one that has an open shelf in it. I would definitely add a sconce on the wall or the inside corner of wall cabinet or face of wall cabinet. That would definitely elevate your space!