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January 14, 2013 39 Comments

Office Nook Transformed

Filed Under: chalkboard, home decor, My Home, My projects, Office Space, organization, Upcycle 39 Comments

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Office Nook Transformation

So one of the biggest downers about living in base housing is you really don’t get to pick your floor plan. Sometimes I wish they were completely uniform all across the country. That way you would know what to expect when you arrive at your next duty station. No such luck. When we moved here, we took our house site unseen. Sometimes you have to do that if you want a place to live right away. And since my husband was going underway within days of our arrival here, I picked a house I had never seen just so I wouldn’t have to move in by myself… with an infant. And I say “I” because really he could have cared less which house we choose as long as it had a garage 🙂

So this house, has all sorts of funny quirks and one of them was this little computer nook at the top of the stairs. It’s a decent little space but I didn’t see it’s potential at first. When we moved in I took a chunk of the dining room and set up a craft/office space. I mentioned in my 2013 Home Goals post, which you can read here, that I wanted to turn my upstairs storage closet into my craft room. Well, that’s really a two parter and this is the first part. This little computer nook is right next to the storage closet that will be my craft room. My reasoning for doing so is two fold. One, my dining room is a cluttered mess and two, now that Miss P is mobile, I want to have a work space where I can watch her play safely. The dining room has no room for her play yard and this computer nook is right off her bedroom. So I can easily put her play yard in her room and she can play safely within my sight.

makinghomebase before and after

Our computer nook before had absolutely no function at all. For months it served as a catch all for many of the loose papers we have around here. That’s the thing with the military – tons of paperwork. See all those papers in the corner? This old computer hasn’t been touched in months. And my printer, oh what a paint that was. To print from my computer downstairs and have to run up here to take a look a document only to have it print incorrectly. I was constantly running up and down the stairs!

I wanted to make this space functional. An organized place where I can work without clutter, see my babe playing behind me, and still be fun!

I think I accomplished that with this little transformation. It was out with the old and in with the new in every sense.

Making Home Base Office Nook

For organization, I bought these little pails from the Target dollar section. I painted little chalkboard labels on them. They are great for holding anything. For now they are holding pens/pencils, washi tape , and chalk. Since I did the chalkboard labels I can change them out anytime I need to.

makinghomebase office nook

I created this little mail organizer. I have a lot of note cards and greeting cards that were just sitting in the pile of papers. I like to send little cards to my husband every other week, so having them all organized in this little metal tray is very handy. Also I love having them in plain view so when I’m thinking of a friend I can just quickly write them a note. Who doesn’t love getting mail? By the way, I picked up this little tray for $.50 at a yard sale. Good buy, huh?

office nook organized making home base

This little basket came from Ikea. I spray painted it aqua for a punch of color and it’s perfect for holding my little notebooks. When I was downstairs I had my notebooks laying all over my desk and they were constantly getting buried.

makinghome base office nook transformed

I love love love this magnet board. I got it three years ago from Ikea. It was black up until yesterday and then I spray painted it metallic silver. The new color gives it a whole new look.

makinghomebase office transformation

I framed a few book pages from one of my favorite books. Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum Series anyone? They are so light and funny making them perfect for this space. To tie into the metallic magnet board I went with silver frames.

Underneath, I framed a little chalkboard. Perfect for writing little notes and making lists. I totally imagine my husband and I writing notes back and forth here. I know, cute, right?

Making Home Base Office Nook before and after

On the other wall, a couple family photos. No office space is complete without some family pictures.

Making Home Base Office Nook After

Okay, and lastly, I really wanted to get my printer off the desk. It took up too much space. I picked up this cube from Ikea (can you see it peeking out?). It’s the expedit wall hanging cube. Now my printer is cozy in it’s new home on top of this cube. And are you wondering where I put all those papers? I filed them all away nicely in a little bin.So there you have it. My office nook makeover. I seriously love sitting at my desk now.

Thanks for visiting with me today, friends! Have a great week 🙂

Linking up to these great parties and Coastal Charm, Fox Hollow Cottage, Design, Dining, & Diapers Organize It Link Party, Home Stories A to Z, Savvy Southern Style, My Repurposed Life, Funky Junk Interiors, The CSI Project

 

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About Chelsea

Chelsea Coulston is the resident decorator, baker, and pillow hoarder around these parts. A wife to an active duty Sailor and mom of two girls, Chelsea's got a knack for decorating even the most challenging spaces (just see her military base house!) She's inspired by cool beach tones and warm natural elements that remind you of a day at the beach. After living in a half dozen rentals, she's enjoyed spending the last few years in a cute ranch style home that she and her husband have almost completely renovated themselves. Chelsea lives in sunny Jacksonville, Florida with her husband and two daughters.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jodi says

    January 14, 2013 at 10:40 am

    This is such a great transformation. always amazing to see how a few things can make sucha huge difference in how we feel in/about an area. You did great! 🙂 You might even inspire me to (soon) get my desk act together.

    Reply
  2. Tonya @ Love of Family & Home says

    January 14, 2013 at 11:46 am

    This is such a cute, functional, & organized little space!! I love it!! Thanks so much for sharing & for linking up at the “Organize It” party!! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Kelly says

    January 14, 2013 at 1:00 pm

    This space is so pretty and functional. I also like all of the personal touches that really make it yours!

    Reply
  4. Jessica @ Mom 4 Real says

    January 14, 2013 at 5:16 pm

    Chelsea, it looks amazing! I am working on my craft space right now and it is giving me fits!

    Reply
  5. Monica Diaz says

    January 14, 2013 at 5:26 pm

    looks great!

    Reply
  6. K C @ The Real Thing with the Coake Family says

    January 14, 2013 at 6:31 pm

    I love your transformation! I like how you added the cube to put the printer on top and save so much desk space.
    KC

    Reply
  7. Daniela @frugal ain't cheap says

    January 14, 2013 at 6:42 pm

    what a nice nook. Love the organization!

    Reply
  8. Debbie says

    January 15, 2013 at 3:44 am

    What a great space, Chelsea! I’m not surprised you enjoy sitting at your desk, I would too. I love that you painted the magnet board silver, it keeps the space looking clean and fresh. And that little tray works perfectly holding all of your cards, etc. It all looks so organized. You can check that one off the list, right? Have a great day!

    Debbie

    Reply
  9. Tanya says

    January 15, 2013 at 8:23 am

    What a great use of a small space, waaay more organized that me! Looks beautiful 🙂

    xoxo, Tanya

    Reply
  10. Rachel says

    January 15, 2013 at 9:59 am

    I love it, it looks fantastic! It seriously inspires me to get to work on our office. Seriously, our desk is nothing but a catch-all for all of the stuff we don’t want to put away. It needs some serious organization.

    Reply
  11. Dee says

    January 15, 2013 at 1:27 pm

    You make organization adorable! Your space looks so clean and cozy. I need to get to work in my office now!

    Reply
  12. Gaby {lifeineight.com} says

    January 15, 2013 at 3:12 pm

    Chelsea, that office nook is adorable! I’m working in re-decorating and organizing our home office and I hope I ended up with something as tidy and cute as yours!

    Reply
  13. [email protected] says

    January 15, 2013 at 6:08 pm

    This is so gorgeous. Love your style. I look forward to seeing you at My Dream Canvas. I am visiting you from Tuesday Treasures. Thanks Anu!

    Reply
  14. Amanda Kuzak says

    January 15, 2013 at 9:10 pm

    What a cute nook! Nice work!

    Reply
  15. Michelle says

    January 16, 2013 at 6:13 am

    You managed to turn an awkward nook into an awesome personalised space! Looks fantastic I really like the little pots so cute. I guess lots of houses are like that where the layout might not be exactly what you like but you’ve got a great imagination to turn it into something that works for you 🙂 Great job!

    Reply
  16. Chloe says

    January 16, 2013 at 11:11 am

    SO cute, I absolutely love it!!

    Reply
  17. Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says

    January 16, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    This is such a great space, Chelsea! I’m so jealous. I love the little touches that you did 🙂

    Reply
  18. Meeha Meeha says

    January 17, 2013 at 5:06 am

    What a great transformation! Your nook looks airy, inspirational, happy and VERY well organized. Amazing job!

    Reply
  19. Emily @ Huckleberry Love says

    January 17, 2013 at 8:13 am

    What an awesome transformation! I love your idea by corralling your notebooks in a fun basket. Mine are ALL over the place! Thanks for sharing. I’m a new FB follower. Would love for you to return the favor!

    Visiting from Home Stories A to Z

    ~Emily

    http://www.huckleberrylove.com/2013/01/aviation-themed-baby-shower.html

    Reply
  20. Emily @ Bonfires and Wine says

    January 18, 2013 at 1:20 pm

    This turned out so cute! Love the framed book pages!

    Reply
  21. Shannon Fox says

    January 20, 2013 at 10:28 am

    Spied you being featured over at TT&J.

    FiiiiiYah!
    You are on fire girl 🙂
    Good for you!!

    Reply
  22. kristin says

    January 20, 2013 at 3:44 pm

    Love the makeover! Featuring tomorrow 🙂
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  23. Kristen says

    January 20, 2013 at 7:20 pm

    Found your blog on pinterest. Super cute! Where did you get the chair? We have an office space/desk nook just like this and I would love to organize it like this. Thanks!

    Reply
  24. Mindy says

    January 21, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    My computer cubby is in the same sized space! Hey, ya work with what you’ve got, right? Here’s the link if ya wanna check it out. http://rindymae.blogspot.com/2012/08/computer-cubby-makeover.html

    Reply
  25. Rebecca says

    January 21, 2013 at 7:39 pm

    this looks great! it’s so pulled together 🙂

    Reply
  26. Abby @ Just a Girl and Her Blog says

    January 31, 2013 at 4:39 am

    This is beautiful! I love a white palette with little pops of color! I found you on the CSI Organization link-up. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your project!

    ~Abby =)

    Reply
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      Reply
  27. Jessi @ Practically Functional says

    January 31, 2013 at 8:07 am

    Great job making use of a small space! It’s really smart to put your printer under the desk too. I put up a little shelf on the wall right above the desk for our printer and it gives me so much more room! Thanks so much for sharing this at The CSI Project!

    Reply
  28. Heather says

    February 13, 2013 at 6:21 pm

    Oh,I can soooo relate to living in military housing! You have made such a beautiful space here for your office! Putting the printer underneath the desk is a great space saver!

    Reply
  29. [email protected] says

    February 20, 2013 at 6:49 am

    I love everything about this!! So clean and organized. And the seat cushion is the perfect splash of color! {AND…I have the same computer!} Have a fabulous week, Chelsea!

    Reply
  30. [email protected] says

    February 20, 2013 at 6:51 am

    Loving everything about this, Chelsea. So clean and organized. And your seat cushion is the perfect splash of color. {I just got that same computer…loving it!}
    Have a fab week!!

    Reply
  31. Jen @ Four Marrs & One Venus says

    February 20, 2013 at 10:01 am

    Ahh- It is Perfect!

    Reply
  32. Meredith @ Wait Til Your Father Gets Home says

    February 21, 2013 at 7:03 pm

    LOVE LOVE LOVE all the organization! I need to do this too!!

    Reply
  33. Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says

    February 22, 2013 at 4:25 pm

    Look great! I love the cushion on your chair!

    Reply
  34. Chrissy says

    October 5, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    You’re super talented! I’m a HUGE fan of Janet E! #StephaniePlum. LOL

    Reply
    • Chelsea says

      October 10, 2016 at 8:52 am

      ohhhh we would be BFFs! I can’t get enough #StephaniePlum!

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Chelsea!

I'm Chelsea. Wife to Matt, and mama to P and Millie. I'm a fan of making and decorating things and everything blue + white. I believe that there is no such thing as too many throw pillows. Lover of iced coffee and cocktail Fridays. I'm glad you're here.

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It’s been a whole year since my dining my room l It’s been a whole year since my dining my room looked like this. It’s been a long year, hasn’t it? This space is regularly filled with books and school supplies and two giggling girls. I don’t know if we ever go back to normal from here but there’s a lot from this time that I want to take with me in to the future. How about you? 
Linked everything on @liketoknow.it 

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My kids fight all day long but when the time comes My kids fight all day long but when the time comes for them to go to sleep they snuggle up in the same bed and it gives me allll the mama feels. It’s getting pretty tight on the top bunk with them squeezed into a twin but they never complain.

The dots on the wall are little decals for a faux wallpaper look. We love them. I linked them and everything else from the girls room on @liketoknow.it http://liketk.it/3cpo9 #liketkit #LTKkids #howihome #bhgstylemaker #kidsspaces #militaryhousing #milspouse #howirent #rentaldecorating @liketoknow.it.home @liketoknow.it.family
So many things happening today. Got my Covid shot So many things happening today. Got my Covid shot (🥳🥳🥳) and wrote a blog post. I want a prize. Kidding. Finally wrote all about that sconce hack. Rental friends - go to the blog and pin it for later! #rentalfriendly #howihome #sconcelighting #diyprojects #howirent #milspouse #militaryhousing
I think it’s safe to say that my favorite rental I think it’s safe to say that my favorite rental hack is temp wallpaper. I have a version of it in four rooms now. This one is my favorite, I think! #howirent #milspouse #basehousing #bhghome #howihome
My ideas do not always work out but this one did! My ideas do not always work out but this one did! I’m really proud of the way the canvas turned out. It was really fun to be creative in this way. I think this completely transformed our living room in such a great way. This is military base housing guys. Base housing. I almost don’t believe it myself... swipe to see the giant canvas we made before I painted it and our living room before! Also I added everything to @liketoknow.it if you are looking for sources! http://liketk.it/3b1lr @liketoknow.it.home #LTKhome #kismetcheckoutmyhouse #diylookforless #howirent #abmathome #howihome #basehousing #milspouse
Rudy turned 5 last month and I was reminded of how Rudy turned 5 last month and I was reminded of how crazy I was to get a puppy while v pregnant with Millie. Also, he wanted a permanent spot in the feed. Happy Saturday.

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