Great news! My home office is complete! These are words I never thought I would never be able to write.
This project has been a work-in-progress since the summer. I finished the important stuff (installing and painting the desk and painting the back wall) pretty quickly, and then I spent months tinkering around with the details. I am glad to say that after more trips to Ikea, the Container Store, Office Max, and Bed Bath & Beyond than I would like to admit, I am satisfied… for now. Knowing me, I will be tinkering with this space for quite a while!
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Related: Take your craft supplies on-the-go with this DIY custom craft tote bag and supply pouches.
The Process
It all began with two closets in my bedroom. In an effort to minimize, I decided that I only wanted to use one closet for clothing. This left my second closet free… for an office. We don’t have a spare room for me to have a designated home office, so I need to make use of every inch of space available. This means that with some creativity, an extra closet can become a home office.
I started with an all white closet. The nice people at The Home Depot cut a board for me to use as a desk. I measured it to fit just inside the closet, and take up the whole space. I chose this option, instead of using an actual desk, because I wanted to maximize my workspace.
I also lucked out, because there was already a shelf at bar-height in the closet. I removed the shelf, and used the shelf supports already in place to support my new desk.
A friend rounded off the front edge of the board. I then applied wood filler and sanded to make a smooth, rounded edge.
I painted the desk with a high gloss white paint, the back wall above the desk with chalkboard paint (although I haven’t been able to bring myself to write on it yet!), and the wall under the desk with a nice light blue.
The Details – My Finished Home Office in a Closet
I don’t have any more in-progress pictures… Sorry! But here are some close-ups of the details:
Floating Shelves
I bought white floating shelves from Ikea – one long and one short. They are a bit too narrow to serve as functional storage space. I plan on using them mainly to display crafts and pictures that I enjoy. I think I managed to find enough storage in other areas of the closet!
Under the shelves, I placed little storage boxes between elephant bookends that belonged to my grandparents. I keep little everyday items in these boxes – extra flash drives and electronics accessories, post-it notes, tape, etc.
Then painted wood slice with the words “I just want to make beautiful things…” is a project I did a few months ago. Read all about it here.
I have a ton of instagram photos that seem to stay trapped in the internet, and I’ve been trying to do a better job of printing and displaying them. I decided to try and be extra crafty with a cork, and make a picture display. I used a sharp knife to cut a small line into the top of a champagne cork. The instagram picture sits in this indentation perfectly!
Side walls
One wall is functional and one I saved to be “pretty”.
On the left wall, I mounted a pegboard – cut to size for free at the hardware store. This may seem like a simple task, but for me it was a major feat. This was the first time I had ever used a power tool all by myself – unsupervised. It was just about as thrilling as driving a car by myself for the first time! So I used my new electric drill to mount the pegboard. So far the thing seems level and hasn’t fallen off the wall. Victory!
I bought a cheap set of pegboard hardware from The Home Depot – just a little baggie of basic hardware. Little metal pails hold paintbrushes and pens. The white metal basket holds paint, Mod Podge, and a jar of colored pencils. I also attached a stack of post-its to a little piece from a burlap banner.
Sources:
Pegboard and hardware – The Home Depot.
Metal pails – Joann Fabrics.
White metal basket – The Container Store.
Jar and post-its – Target dollar section.
In front of the pegboard is a small brown paper bag from Pakhuis Oost at the Container Store. I use it as a little trash can for paper scraps and thread while working on projects.
On the other wall, I mounted four clipboards from the dollar section at Target.
The two printables are free from other blogs. Here are the links:
Happiness is a Warm Glue Gun from Man Made DIY
Free Feather Printables from Oh So Lovely the Blog
The white branches in the jar are from Ikea (cut down by about a foot – the extra went in another jar on the top shelf in the closet). I collected the stones off the beach while on a trip to Alaska.
And how cute is this fabric-covered notebook?!? My sister made it for me. I haven’t graduated past sewing in a straight line and getting my corners to line up, so I leave the more complicated sewing projects to her!
The doors
When you’re working in a small space, you have to utilize every inch – not just horizontal, but vertical too. This means taking advantage of space on the inside of my closet doors.
I bought two magnetic panels from Ikea, and lucky me – they were the perfect size to fit inside the moulding on the door! I didn’t want to drill into the door, so I mounted the panels with 3M adhesives.
Right now, I mainly use the magnetic panels to display pictures, magazine articles that inspire me, or notes to myself. I bought a set of magnets from Ikea as well, but I also made some wooden ones. I just bought a packet of birch discs at the craft store and hot glued magnets to the back of them. Too simple!
Under desk storage
On the left-hand side, I placed a set of clear storage drawers that I already owned. The two different sized drawers are perfect for craft supplies – paint, glue, stickers, and everything else. I haven’t gotten around to truly organizing these drawers, so I’m not going to share pictures of my messy craft supplies.
This is also where my next tip comes in handy: Tape scrapbook paper to the inside of clear plastic storage drawers. You get a great custom look, and the paper hides the disorganized chaos inside the drawers!
On the right-hand side, I used a shelf from Ikea. In an alternate universe, handy Aimee would have build a custom shelf that was flush with the bottom of the desk. But in this universe, a lesser-handy version of Aimee just bough a shelf. I don’t think anyone will judge me for taking a shortcut!
All of the storage boxes on the shelves are from Ikea as well. The larger boxes store my camera equipment and binders, while the smaller boxes store notebooks and office supplies. The plastic white baskets on the top of the shelf are from Office Max. I use them to keep my desk clear. Any paper that I would be inclined to toss on my desk, I throw in one of those two baskets. At least once a week, I go through the baskets and take care of any “action items”.
Top shelf storage & lighting
And last, but not least, don’t forget to look up for extra storage space. Since I’m a bit of a taller gal, I can easily reach anything on this shelf without needing a step stool.
I used more storage boxes from Ikea for craft supplies, extra paper, and cards. The basket on the right has fabric for sewing projects. And my favorite part is this little decorative tin – bought at holiday time – that stores my Sharpie markers.
I also added some lighting. I found these little puck lights from Bed Bath & Beyond that come with a remote control. They were beyond easy to install and run on batteries – so no wiring to worry about!
Whoo! That’s it! Thanks for sticking around to the end of this post – it was a long one. I hope you enjoyed touring this space as much as I have enjoyed creating and using it!
Do you love the “Cloffice” trend as much as I do?
Then check out even more closet office inspiration here:
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- Decorative Newspaper Bags
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- Book Page Botanical Prints
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- Storage and Organizing Finds on Amazon
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- DIY Fabric Covered Storage Boxes
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- DIY Cloud Wall Decals
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- Sources for Affordable Temporary Wallpaper
I just love this! I’m working on my own office, so this is the perfect inspiration for me. If you get a chance, please stop by and link up with Snickerdoodle Sunday! 🙂
Thanks Dee! Will do 🙂
All of your posts are great, but I think this is your best post/project yet!! I’m walking away with some ideas now for my desk (the cute small paper bag for trash items, the corks for picture holders, etc. etc.)
Thanks so much for sharing!
Lynn
This. Is. Amazing!!!!! I love every little aspect, and it totally inspires me to do something like this!! We don’t have a lot of space in our house either; and unfortunately, limited closet space. But you’ve shown you can do SO much in a small space! Love it, totally pinned. 🙂
Thanks for sharing Amanda!
Nicely done, Aimee! Love it! And, it’s given me an idea for the use of puck lights in my home.
Thank you!
This is awesome! I would love to have an office like this. and I really love the colors you chose! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Kate. This closet/office is right next to my bed, so I tried to pick colors that would be soothing and bring “good energy.”
This is absolutely amazing! 🙂
Gorgeous! You absolutely rocked this project! Can I ask how long it took you?
Thanks Jamie! The painting and desk install took the better part of a Saturday, but I spent months tinkering with different arrangement options and storage solutions… sometimes the creative juices flow a little slower!
This is fantastic! I have been wanting to do this but my closet isn’t nearly as big as this. I think this is so perfect! I am going to show my husband so he can see what I am talking about. It just makes sense for us because we don’t own a large house and we have young children so it would make it easy to just have a small spot that can be closed to them. I’m going to share and pin. Thanks for sharing! It would be so great if you could link this up on my blog on Crafty Chao Tuesdays!
Stay warm if you’re in the frigid cold like me.
Thanks for the kind words Sharon! I’ll be sure to stop by on Tuesday 🙂
Super cute! I love the cork idea. A picture will eventually curl, but that would be a great place to store an index card with daily priorities. I hope you make lots of pretty things there!
So beautiful! You’re going to have so much fun creating in this space. 🙂
What a wonderful office!!!! Looks great…. and inviting to do some work… 🙂
Great job! So organized and still decorative! Love closet offices.
I LOVE this! We are really limited on space here too and you have totally given me inspiration. Pinning!
Love your ideas! I will be transforming a closet as well. Looks like a a great place.
How exciting! Stop back and let me know how it goes!
Oh wow– it turned out so so good! I’m so impressed! Especially love the color scheme and keeping it simply!
You should join my link party, http://www.carissamiss.com/2015/01/outside-box-no-17.html
I love your stuff!
This is beautiful! Awesome job! I just love your idea!
Shelly@minettemaze
You did a beautiful job! Such inspiration for anyone!
Thanks for the sweet compliment Vickie!
This is so great! Everything about the paint color and the above lights…the storage…your trash can! Love it all!
Deb
@Seeking Lavender Lane
You are so organized! This office is every bit as pretty and functional as a whole room dedicated to being an office. I love the idea of turning the little storage boxes on their side and holding them with the book ends…..And I’m crazy about your garbage can!
I’d love if you’d take moment and share this amazing space at my link party! Enjoy your day, Aimee!
Thanks for the kinds words Jamie! The timing of you comment couldn’t be more perfect… I just posted a picture on Instagram about how disorganized I am! Linking up at your party right now.
I don’t have words for how fantastic I think this is!! Amazing use of space AND it’s gorgeous. I’m so glad you linked up with us, Aimee!! Looking forward to following you 🙂
Shut the front door! This is awesome! I’m dying to convert my tiny office closet jam packed with craft supplies into a space like this. You nailed it!
Ah! Thanks so much for the compliment Lauren, and goo luck with your own office closet!
Popping over from Worthwhile Wednesday =) I love the cork picture holder! I will be doing that! Be sure to share your crafts & DIYs at Two Uses Tuesday over at Sarah Celebrates (Mon 11pm EST to Fri 11pm EST) if you don’t already!
Thanks Sarah. Will do!
This is beautiful! You did a wonderful job. I love all the little details, especially things like the cork photo holder; that is brilliant! It’s so pretty, uncluttered and very calming. Thank you for sharing at Inspire Me Wednesday. Featuring you in next week’s issue.
Thanks for linking up at Snickerdoodle Sunday! You’re one of my features, and I so hope you’ll join us again when the party goes live tonight at 5pm EDT! 🙂
Hi Aimee, I just visited you blog and love your closet office! I have a little craft armoire in my bedroom too. It’s the only space I could find! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving me a comment. Hope to see you soon!
Hello Aimee! This closet is amazing. This makes me want to kick all of my canned goods out of our guest room closet and make it into an office! 🙂 Also, we’d love to feature you on Remodelaholic. I just sent you an email but sometimes my messages get caught in spam filters, so I wanted to leave you a comment, too, to make sure you got my email (and to tell you how much I LOVE this, of course 🙂
Thanks!
Lorene @Remodelaholic
Aimee, You’ve got to stop creating such great posts. I mean all of my readers are going to think I’m playing favorites!
I’ve featured your closet home office on Worthwhile Wednesdays tonight.
~Allie http://www.craftyallieblog.com
Hahaha! Thanks Allie!
I love everything about this! It turned out so fantastic, it’s organized perfectly! And I adore those boxes and metal label plates. Thank you so much for linking this up to The Creative Collection Link Party.
Thanks for the kind words, Rebecca!
Wow this looks incredible! You did such an amazing job! Thanks so much for stopping by Creative Spark Link Party. Hope you stop by again today! http://bit.ly/1ybfEwi
I love everything about your closet office! The grey colors are gorgeous and love the boxes that you filed vertically. Congrats, you’re featured at Inspire Us Thursday on Organized 31.
Thanks for the feature Susan! I love your parties!
Really love what you were able to do with your space. Very inspiring. I am itching to use my space better now.
Cindy
I’m glad to hear! Let me know how it goes!
Genius! I love this idea:)
Love your craft closet! My endeavors were once confined to a closet- and that didn’t last long… My challenge is hiding my crafts in plain sight in an office/guest room combo. You’ve given me some great ideas in this post- thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the kind words, Nikki! So glad you found a bit of inspiration 🙂
Hii
Great post!
Your creativity is really fantastic.Closest office looking is amazing.All tips are very helpful that you have mentioned.
Thanks,for sharing this valuable information with us.
Wow! You took advantage of every inch of space. I love offices in a closet. Yours turned out great! I like the tip about adding paper to the clear bins. I’ll have to this with some of mine.
You certainly do make a good point about creativity. Turning a closet into an office does require some of it, as you share.
Lovely space management, I love that side wall with that pegboard.
Omg. This is awesome. I wonder if this space is considered a tax write off for a home based business.
🙂