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moneypenny02

Need help for guestroom/office

12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Hello, I have a room that is interestingly shaped and somewhat small and I am having a hard time figuring out exactly what to do. We can't afford to fully furnish it at once, but we need to have a full plan before I buy anything. I need the room to be:
1) a fully functional office (meaning decent sized desk space so that I can have a computer and space for papers to spread out--more wide than deep.)
2) a fully functional guestroom (my mother will be staying there often, and she has commanded that there not be a twin bed; also, we need to have a spot for a TV of some size; cannot block access to closet)
3) have decent storage space (we have a good number of papers and files that we will need to keep and this is the only place to keep them)

As you can see from the pictures, it is round on one end. Also, the windows are relatively low, so it would be difficult to put a desk underneath that. I think the ikea hermes daybed in the attached photo will work well, as it can turn into a double bed and it has storage built in. So that part is good to go, but it is relatively large and will take up that entire wall/space on the wall adjacent to the small built in bookcase (this is only place it will fit). I'm not sure how to get the needed desk/storage space, work in a table or something for a small TV, and make the best use of space under the windows.

As far as desk, I thought about trying to build an expedit-desk and use storage cubes for our files (like this: http://ikeahackers.net/wp-content/uploads/blogger/-ZTOXMX7Nd5I/UWwuerdG5kI/AAAAAAABCDM/fdQvag8k5-o/s640/DSCN7294-782812.JPG or this http://cffiles.thesimsresource.com/scaled/1114/w-786h-600-1114589.jpg) but that would take up almost that entire wall, so not sure if it will make the room feel too crowded and I would have no place for TV stand, I think.

I also considered getting something like this made for underneath the window: http://www.teraom.com/bay-window-seat-for-nice-view/colorful-bay-window-seat-in-semicircle-design/#image-1 or http://www.nygeekcast.com/window-seats-with-storage-ideas/oak-window-seat/) so we could use that space and get some storage, but we definitely could not do it ourselves and it seems like it would be expensive to get someone to build it. Also, still don't know how to work in TV table or if it would be too much in that space.

Comments (50)

  • 12 years ago
    And here is a photo showing the dimensions of the room.
  • 12 years ago
    Thanks. I love the room too, but it gets a bit tricky thinking how to make it work in a practical sense (especially on a limited budget).

    As far as the wall with the bed, the bed actually takes up the entire flat portion of the wall from the built-in book shelves until the wall starts to curve. So I could maybe stick a small round table or something on the one end, but that is about it.

    I thought about having the desk in the window area, but 1) I would have to get a desk made. I am not sure how expensive that would be, but maybe, and 2) the window sills are low , so a desk would have to be above the sill, and I am not sure that will look right. I also think it would need to extend the entire window if I did it at all, to make it look like

    This is the only example I can find, but it would need to work in storage underneath as well: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pV_EUjwN12E/TourFgblcVI/AAAAAAAACIQ/FFMAGFTUUd4/s1600/IMG_2625.JPG
  • 12 years ago
    I love your window!
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Sorry to say, anything custom sounds like it is too expensive for you. Maybe you can find a carpenter that will give you a reasonable price. Ok so only bed on that wall.

    What would you think about moving the bed in the bay window? Use all the other space for bookcases on each side of the walls. Use the closet for your desk space. Put the TV up high on the back wall of the closet or hang the TV from the ceiling above the entry door.
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  • 12 years ago
    Such a pretty room. Sigh...

    Maybe you can get your mom to buy the bed, sense she won't sleep in a twin or let you use a daybed? Just a thought. But in all seriousness, make craigslist, thrift shops and consignment stores your new best friends. Especially with wood pieces. You would be amazed at what you can find and you can give an older solid wood piece a makeover just as easy as an ikea piece and it will last much longer. 5 years later all my ikea bookshelves look terrible, and the used pieces might even be cheaper!

    Buy mattresses new though, bed bugs are just yuck, and really an epidemic, and just think it could be worse, my mom insists in having her own bathroom when she comes to visit!
    moneypenny02 thanked Katie Gooding
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    I do have a friend that had a few custom pieces made for her at a reasonable price that looked very nice, so it may not be impossible to get it at a price we could afford (definitely more expensive than the Ikea desk setup I had planned, but if it would work out best in the space, and could be had for a reasonable price, then it is worth checking out.) Below is the desk that I tried to link above. This is the most likely to possibly work, but it would have to extend the entire length of the windows to look right, in my view (and probably would abut the bed, if I remember how long that was). It would also need to work storage under the desk itself. Maybe I could work 4 two-level cabinets as the "legs" of the desk.

    The floors are now darker, so if I did something like this, should I paint it in white? The wainscoting will be in white, and I am not sure what the walls will be -- possibly black & white patterned wallpaper if we can find one that we like, but more likely a gray.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    @katie - I think the Ikea bed will probably work out. Its a daybed, but it extends to a full size bed, so it will be good for her and also if we have other guests. She paid for our fridge and oven, so I can cover the bed! lol! I read good reviews about the longevity of this bed, and I am considering putting it together with additional nails/screws so that it will be sturdier than standard.

    I got a used dresser (from craigslist!) so I am definitely up for that if I can find something that fits my needs. That's partly why I am trying to plan out the whole room before we start buying anything.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    I also would love opinions of whether the fact that the desk would have to be above the window sills would look odd/bad. The desk would essentially have to be at the level of the top of the wainscoting, maybe a smidgen lower.
  • 12 years ago
    @LB - Thanks for your suggestions. I don't think the bed in the curve would work b/c there would be so much dead space and it would jut out so much, I think that would really make the room feel even smaller. Also, I need room to spread out when I work (usually have a binder, notebook, print outs, and a computer), so I need to have a lot more space than the closet would provide--and then there would be no closet for my mom's things! ;-)

    I am liking the suggestion of putting a desk in that space--especially since that is the best way to get to enjoy the view from the room. It seems like I will have to go custom in order to maximize that nook and not end up with a lot of dead space. I will look into getting a custom desk made to see if that is feasible--but if there are any other suggestions as to what may meet our needs, I'm happy to hear them.

    Also, if I did get custom, our current floors are about the color of the floors in the picture I posted with the curved desk. The wainscoting will stay white, and the theme throughout the house is black & white & gray with pops of jewel tone colors (yellow, fuchsia, turquoise, etc) Not sure what the accent color will be in this room, but wall will either be gray or black & white. Should desk be painted white or if wood, what color would work best? (Does one tend to cost more if getting something custom made by carpenter?)
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    okay. Desk in the window. Won't be odd at the window. View is always nice. You really don't have many choices anyway. Custom is almost always more depending on the materials used. Anything curved is more yet.

    I suggest get some modular ready made units. One being a desk. Center. A little bit of empty space behind. Then other units angled in front of the windows to form a curve. All storage units. All the same height. I think you would be spending too much $$$$ on a curved desk that has no storage. Custom with storage, a lot more.
    moneypenny02 thanked LB Interiors
  • 12 years ago
    @ LB - Thanks! Whether bought or custom, the desk height will have to be above the window sill. Do you think that will look bad?

    @ Cassie - We are so far from picking out details like art at this point! LOL! Once we get to that point, we will probably choose something in black & white with meaning to us, like some of my own photography, or old black & white photos of our family (parents, grandparents, etc), or political art (maybe even a Guernica print if it won't give my mother nightmares!!)
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Bottom line, you don't have many other choices and no it won't look bad at all. That's why I agreed to put it at the window.
    A desk will only be about 29-30" from the floor.
    moneypenny02 thanked LB Interiors
  • 12 years ago
    The top row of shelves in this circular library reminded me of your windows. Built-in ones under them might be interesting. Perhaps it should be a library/office/guest room? Does mom have qualms about sleeping in a round bed? That's an alternative you should consider. Would be lovely to wake up looking out that view. A custom desk could be built behind the curved headboard so you could also enjoy the view from the desk.
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  • 12 years ago
    LB Interiors, just wanted to say thanks for the link on the Kathy Ireland bookcase. We have two of them in our home office, and I know someone who's looking for one. The place where we bought ours closed a few years ago.
    moneypenny02 thanked chloebud
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    @ LB - Thanks. Most of the images I found on houzz were with the desks right below the window sill or casing, and they looked great, so I was very concerned about how that would look (and also the functionality and accessibility of being able to open the windows. What about color? Should I go with a dark brown desktop to try to match the darker brown floors, or go with white to blend into wainscoting and window casing?

    @ deco - I love that library. It is a great use of what appears to be transitional space. I would not mind having books in the study as well, but we have SO MANY that trying to fit them into what is actually a pretty small room would probably start to look cluttered. We have space for bookshelves in the living room, so that is probably where they will go, and we will try to primarily find room for file storage in this room. I also looked at the circular beds as well, but that was cost prohibitive--with the frames, mattress and bedding. Also, I ended up thinking that I like the idea of the daybed, since it will not take up too much space when not in use and it will give the office/study a more "study" look for the majority of the time when no one is there. I pull a lot of late nights working at home, so I can't have TOO much temptation to hit the sack!
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    a desk would be great with a chair backing up to the windows. lovely space btw!
    moneypenny02 thanked Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP
  • 12 years ago
    @ Lori - I hadn't thought about having the desk face into the room and using the curve space for the chair. You do not think that this would make the space look smaller? If not, what type of desk would you recommend? I would need to find one that looked good from behind (i.e. not meant to be up against a wall), but in white?

    Also, Ikea USED to have a great curved desk circa 2003. I had it. No storage, but it had a little extra table that could pull toward you for extra work space. They have a curved desk on their website photo now, but it doesn't appear to be available to purchase (see below).
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    I love 'Lori Dennis' idea to place chair at the window facing into the room. You can get a straight desk and file cabinets. I would still recommend a desk with storage. I don't think you will waste much space with the chair facing the room.
    moneypenny02 thanked LB Interiors
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    With a curved surface serving as a headboard, you could absoluely place the bed in the curved facing into the room with a matching, rectangular desk serving as a footboard. This is a fabulous room!
    moneypenny02 thanked John James O'Brien | Inspired Living, by design
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Good idea 'Garden Oaks' : )
    moneypenny02 thanked LB Interiors
  • 12 years ago
    Love your desk photo- very simple design; it will look fine at any height. Perhaps you could have Lowes or HD cut the stock and make it yourself, or a trade school might be able to do it for you?
    If you use the space as an office more than a guest room, I suggest placing the desk there, although placing the bed at the window would look fabulous.
    moneypenny02 thanked brickln
  • 12 years ago
    Have you considered letting the bed float in the middle of the room looking out the window? It could actually have one end up against the long wall, but have a low headboard in the middle of the room btwn the door and window? Then put desk up to the back of the headboard. That way you get to look out the window when you're working and mom gets to enjoy the view when sleeping. The area would be split into two distinct functional areas. Not sure if the dimensions would allow or if it would even look good. Just trying to think of other options.
    moneypenny02 thanked Blue
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    I agree with putting the desk at the window. Beautiful room.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Dividing the sleep/work areas with a bookcase or open shelving could work, too. To maximize storage, you could bring it all the way to the wall and make an L shaped desk area, leaving a path to the bed along the closet wall.
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  • 12 years ago
    Your proposed configuration will work. DOn't worry about the desk being higher than the windowsill. If you choose a desk that is (mostly) open beneath (as in the photo you posted), it will look fine. Suggest you build your own desk from 1" good plywood with cube storage beneath -- that should probably be below the windowsill line.

    This room is going to be really chopped up with its different functions. Keeping it all white (or all one color, as may be pale gray, but I'm leaning towards white), including the desk and storage, will minimize its diversity and maximize the overall design. You can use your jewel colors in any art, decorative cushions on the bed and a rug in front of the daybed. suggest keeping that to one color in varying tones. suggest keeping furniture to a minimum and all white. No dark woods. In fact, if you had a nifty chest from craig'slist, painting it an outrageous color would look great and fun.

    I love the room. The woodwork is great, and I don't mind the color although beige isn't your palette. Suggest simple shades for the windows (your MIL may feel the need for privacy).
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  • 12 years ago
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  • 12 years ago
    Here are 2 photos of desks in front of windows. Of course, your windows are modern, but you get the idea. As you can see from the 2nd photo of the BR, a pop of color with all white has a lot of impact.
    moneypenny02 thanked inkwitch
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    For a more designed look, I would float the daybed in the curved bay with a small trunk or table in front and the desk along the wall perpendicular to the built in shelves. The table could serve double duty while you work as an additional work surface.

    Consider an iron daybed that has an interesting open back vs the PB box.

    The bed will fight less with the curve and will always look better when you walk into the room than the myriad of desk top equipment and cords which are required for a functional workspace.

    Having a shallow (22"-24") but wide (7') desk along the wall will be less intrusive into the room than the deeper bed (min. 38") and you can go up with shelves about the desk as well as files below.

    Take a look at the Elfa system for a furniture solution vs. semi- custom built ins. The desk surface however is limited.

    Semi- custom: A long plastic laminate counter on low file cabinets (desk height needs to be 28.5 - 29"so confirm file cabinet height as most 'off the shelf' files are not designed to go under a counter) with shelving above on brackets is easy to find and install.

    This concept is more about the design of the room and less about how you would experience the view while at your desk.

    If you think seeing the view out while working is more important that desk may need to be custom. think "cockpit.
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  • 12 years ago
    Wow--I was away for a bit, and I really appreciate all of the great new responses and suggestions. Thank you all!

    I am getting a quote for the custom desk tomorrow from a good and reasonably-priced local carpenter, so I will find out if that is doable. I am now thinking that even if I get the custom desk, it may make more sense to make it smaller--spanning only 3 windows rather than the full 5 -- so that the room feels less crowded. That would still be plenty of space for me to spread out and work, and could include 2 sets of file cabinets. If I can't afford to get it made custom, I may take the suggestion of using two sets of cubes and getting some thick plywood to make my own version. File cabinets are ridiculously expensive, and usually pretty unattractive (at least the ones I've mostly seen), so cubes would probably be preferred as long as they are the correct height.

    I do like the various suggestions for putting the bed in the curve, but after going back and checking out the room more, I don't think that is feasible given the space--especially since the bed would need to be full-size to satisfy by mother. It would pretty much take up the entire bedroom, and the bedroom is actually primarily a work space. If I had the space I would definitely try it out--I particularly liked the L-shape desk idea--but unfortunately the room is too small. :-(
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Well, if the desk is cost prohibitive (I hope it's not!), maybe running the bed parallel to the window could make the L work- full size is only about 4 1/2 feet wide. The bed will take up the same amount of space regardless of where it's placed.
    moneypenny02 thanked brickln
  • 12 years ago
    One thing you might look into if the custom desk quote comes in too high is to buy two smaller plain tables that flank the middle window (on the two windows moving out from the middle) and get just a curved custom table top made to attach to the two smaller tables (and I agree - just span either the 3 middle windows or even a little smaller). Is that making sense? So you'd use inexpensive tables you just buy for the legs of a "custom" desk. We had a small round modern breakfast table from IKEA and I loved the base but the top was too small. I just had a larger laminate top made and had it drilled into the smaller table top. I think I only spent something like $200 on it. Good luck - it' s a lovely room.
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  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Good idea to go with a smaller desk at the center of the bay window. File cabinets on each side.
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  • 12 years ago
    posting to follow.....Beautiful room!
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  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Thanks for the additional suggestions. Got a quote today..... :-( . I MAY splurge on it, but I haven't decided. What I did decide is that I think a glass table top would work best in this space so that it wouldn't overwhelm it. I was told the glass arc would be several times more expensive because of the cost to make the same rainbow-arch (b/c the room is an oval, not a semi-circle), BUT after some googling, I found that an "arch top" cut was a pretty standard glass cut, which appears to be running between $270-$450 for a 1/2 inch thick piece of tempered glass. This would not be exactly the same look as originally planned--it would be straight across, so the desktop itself would be a bit larger, but I think in glass it would be okay because it would still not take up as much of the room. So, I am getting closer to doing the makeshift version of the desk that many have suggested with my own cabinets and a piece of glass. This is still an expensive proposition, so I want to make sure that if I do it, I do it correctly. Does anyone know how to figure out how to do the math to figure out how close the cabinets would have to be to support the weight of the glass--and to figure out if I need a third "leg" at the top of the arch? (The carpenter I spoke with today, said that he would probably make something to stand there if he was to make the desk.)

    I really like the desk in the photos below--it was my inspiration to start thinking about doing a glass top. If I can figure out how to basically approximate this (with the arch, of course), that would be ideal.

    Home Office · More Info

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  • 12 years ago
    Now that I am looking at glass-top tables, I found a few more that I like. Many of these seem to have a pretty wide span where there is no support for the glass. I am not sure if I am missing something in these images, or if they are fundamentally different from my planned desk such that I would need more support. One also includes the same pottery barn cabinets that I would likely go with (unless I did Ikea EXPEDIT, and then try to use the EXPEDIT as shelving for the TV as well).

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  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    I love the idea of a glass top. I think any file cabinet that is 16-18" + should support the glass. The glass will not cave in.
    moneypenny02 thanked LB Interiors
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    If the legs are sturdy like in # 4 & 5 photos, you don't need a large base.
    moneypenny02 thanked LB Interiors
  • 12 years ago
    It will look fantastic if you're able to keep a sparsely decorated desk. My concerns would be how much weight it would hold (since you said you need an expansive desk), and whether it might get too hot near the window. Glass gets pretty hot, so you would need to be concerned about electronic equipment and comfort of use if it's a sunny room.
    moneypenny02 thanked brickln
  • 12 years ago
    A desk by the windows but with it facing out toward the room with you surrounded at your back and sides by sunshine. It would be much less expensive than custom made and more comfortable facing the door.
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  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Those desks look beautiful because they're clean and have nothing on them. All the cords are removed, there is limited equipment and not a piece of paper it to be found!
    Is that how you live and work?
    Floating a desk is even more problematic as any electrical outlet is bound to be on the wall. Glass needs to be cleaned constantly to look good.
    That said, 1/2" should span 3' minimum, more if you go with 3/4". Make sure you check the heights of any file cabinets, to make sure they're not too tall to go underneath. Ergonomics preclude any worksurface that is more than 30", or you're asking for neck and shoulder pain.
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  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Thanks for the additional comments--
    @bricklin -- The office does not get a lot of direct light, which is exacerbated by the trees outside. I have not been there in early morning, but the times when I would be using the desk are afternoon to late evening, so I am not worried about the sun exposure when using it. However, if there is a lot of direct light in the early morning, should I be concerned about the glass getting hot, even if it is not being used at that time? In other words, is the hot glass only a concern if it causes discomfort while in use, or is it something that can damage the glass if it is ever subject to a lot of heat?

    In terms of whether I can keep the desk that clean..... :-\ That would definitely be the goal, and is partly why I want to have a lot of storage, so that I can file things away and keep things out of eyesight. When I work, I have a ton of papers along with my computer, but everything goes back to work in the morning or on Monday, so it's a temporary frenzy. I would likely have the printer/copier on the desk, although it would be a wireless printer, so no cables to computer. I may also put an in box/outbox and other small storage for pens, etc. So I imagine it will look something like this desk in terms of items, and also I would like similar-looking storage cabinets and I also really like the Eames style chair.

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  • 12 years ago
    The glass itself will be fine, money, it's objects sensitive to heat that you need to be concerned about. I left a solar lantern on a glass top table by the window, and the element was destroyed by the heat. Also unthinkingly cooked my plants from the roots. It all has to do with temperature and how much direct sun you get. In my case, summertime is when I really need to be careful what I place there.
    moneypenny02 thanked brickln
  • 12 years ago
    What would you think about putting the chair in the circular part of the room facing in towards the room -- then the desk in front of the chair? Then, on one side of the room, I would put the bed and two very small night stands. On the other wall, I would put two tall bookcases and between them a very shallow set of wall cabinets with trim underneath (to look like a built-in) with a wood or stone top (only twelve inches deep). You could probably get a nice scrap from a stone yard or go with wood. Your mom could use the center cabinets to set a small TV on and the cabinets for shallow storage. The bookcases are for your office books, supplies in boxes (to look nice), and perhaps boxes for files you can move to the desk when working. You could use two file cabinets to hold the glass top for the desk. That would keep your main files within reach. I also like a desk from Horchow (can be found other places cheaper). It is called white spur office furniture. Worth your time to just take a look.....Just some suggestions for you to think about......
    moneypenny02 thanked soto01
  • 12 years ago
    @ brickin - thank you....I will definitely take note of that. I think that it should be okay since from what I have seen there is not much direct sunlight, but I will try to check out early morning before I commit to anything b/c I definitely do not want my computer to get damaged!

    @soto- I am considering facing the other direction if it seems like getting something to fit in that curve will be too expensive. I thought the white spur desk was very pretty and looks like it feels "light" -- which is my main concern/motivation for trying to get the glass table top (and they had some pretty mirrored desks there too that had a similar feel). I'm not sure that it provides enough storage, however. With respect to the tall bookcases--i can't recall is the rule of thumb that tall things that make a small room look larger, or is it just that it makes it look taller? I am trying to think about how to arrange things on that opposing wall. There is a closet there, so I cannot go too wide and had thought about a low-ish white TV console with some additional storage drawers, similar to the image below, but with different type of storage.

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