Welcome to the much-anticipated reveal of our townhouse office nook’s transformation! What was once an overlooked, cluttered space has now blossomed into a truly cozy and inspiring study haven. Join us as we unveil the dramatic before-and-after of this delightful small home office makeover, proving that even the most challenging areas can be transformed into functional and beautiful retreats.
We’re going to preface this reveal by inviting you to judge the “before” photos without hesitation. We all have that one neglected corner in our homes – a space that somehow becomes a catch-all for miscellaneous items, much like a pool filter accumulates debris. For us, this office nook was precisely that. It had become a forgotten zone, an unfortunate repository for everything from old paperwork to items we were “too lazy” to properly organize or discard.
The images below clearly illustrate the shocking state of this room before its much-needed intervention. It was, quite frankly, a mess – a chaotic blend of what felt like a home graveyard for all things discarded or postponed. And the most embarrassing part? This unsightly collection was situated directly off our master bedroom, making it a daily eyesore. We admit, we were quite disappointed in ourselves for letting it reach such a state of disarray.
This space was desperately crying out for a facelift, yearning for a touch of hygge and functional elegance. So, we enthusiastically partnered with BEHR® to bring our vision to life, utilizing their exquisite color trends palette to infuse warmth and purpose into the nook. While we’re typically staunch advocates for bright, all-white interiors, this particular area presented the perfect opportunity to venture outside our comfort zone and embrace a richer, cozier atmosphere. Now, prepare yourselves for the raw, unfiltered “before” photos…
The Before
Delving deeper into the “before” scenario, it’s worth noting the presence of a foldable workout bike that, if we’re being honest, saw use perhaps once. Its primary function became providing a workout whenever we had to move it just to vacuum the floor beneath. This anecdote perfectly encapsulates the non-functional, chaotic nature of the space.
Our earlier description of it as a “graveyard” was no exaggeration. Beyond the clutter, the truly regrettable aspect was the visibly worn and dirty carpet throughout this area. This carpet isn’t isolated; it’s a continuation of the flooring from our bedroom and master closet. Our long-term goal is to replace all the upstairs carpeting with beautiful hardwood, but for now, it remains a carpeted zone, awaiting its turn in our renovation queue.
While we dream of having a completely separate, dedicated home office room, the reality of our townhouse meant making the most of this existing nook. Our primary objective was to transform this previously neglected corner into a highly functional workspace, completely free from its past life as a storage overflow zone. We envisioned a desk area solely for productivity and inspiration, not for stashing away forgotten items. This shift in purpose was the core of our design strategy, aiming to redefine the space’s identity and utility.
Our Design Plan for the Home Office Nook
To effectively visualize the potential of each room we tackle in our home, we’ve adopted a valuable practice: creating detailed design-inspiration mock-ups. These visual aids, even if sometimes slightly distorted from reality, prove immensely helpful in truly envisioning the final product. We’re thrilled to report that for this office nook, we achieved a result incredibly close to our initial design concept.
Certain elements, like the eventual installation of hardwood floors, will undoubtedly elevate the space even further when we get to them. Interestingly, the initial light fixtures we purchased turned out to be of truly disappointing quality. This led us to pivot and select different round sconces, which we now appreciate just as much, if not more, than our original choice. This adaptability is often key in successful home renovations, turning unexpected hurdles into new design opportunities.
Green Accent Wall
Undeniably, the most impactful change to this space came with the application of BEHR in Equilibrium T18-20. This deep, rich green immediately transformed the atmosphere, don’t you agree? We chose the BEHR Premium Plus Ultra® Interior Paint & Primer in eggshell finish, and the application was incredibly smooth, like butter – we simply couldn’t resist that comparison!
While BEHR had recently launched their first-ever Color of the Year, “In the Moment,” we found ourselves utterly captivated by this particular deep green hue. It perfectly encapsulated the warm, cozy, and sophisticated ambiance we aimed to create, making it impossible for us to pass up. The decision to go with such a bold accent color was a deliberate step away from our usual all-white aesthetic, signaling a desire for a more intimate and distinct zone within our home.
We’re already brainstorming other areas where we can utilize the leftover paint. The idea of an all-white bookcase with its backing painted in this accent green is particularly appealing, echoing the successful aesthetic of our emerald green bedroom makeover. And yes, we might be a bit messy when it comes to the overall painting process, but rest assured, our cutting-in skills around the corners are nothing short of rockstar level. It’s a small victory, but one we proudly claim!
Ikea Hack DIY Office Nook Desk
Following the stunning paint transformation, the next major element that absolutely had to go was the dated and uninspiring built-in countertop that served as the previous desk. Its clunky appearance and lack of style were entirely out of sync with our vision for a modern, inviting workspace.
Our solution came in the form of a brilliant Ikea desk hack. We discovered this herringbone-style counter at Ikea, which serendipitously happened to be the perfect size for our nook. After carefully removing the old, unsightly countertop and completing the painting of the accent wall, we seamlessly installed our new, sleek desktop. The result is a beautifully integrated, modern built-in desk that elevates the entire space. For anyone dealing with limited square footage, installing a floating desk like this is an excellent, space-saving option for small home office ideas, maximizing both aesthetics and functionality.
To thoughtfully tie in the wall color and add a personal touch, we decided to feature one of our favorite drone shots from our memorable Harbour Island trip. We had this stunning aerial view printed and elegantly framed in gold. We absolutely adore how this piece complements the space, and my partner is even more thrilled to have a giant version of one of his own photographs proudly displayed!
Choosing just one photo from our vibrant Harbour Island travels was a delightful challenge, but this particular shot, with its beautiful blend of blues and greens, perfectly harmonized with our new green accent wall, creating a cohesive and visually pleasing focal point. This personal artwork truly makes the office nook feel unique and reflective of our experiences.
It’s truly remarkable to see how this space has been completely revolutionized compared to its former self. The transformation is nothing short of breathtaking! And we are particularly delighted by the addition of modern filing cabinets. These sleek, functional pieces not only provide essential storage but also contribute significantly to the overall organized and adult aesthetic, banishing any lingering traces of our “Cat 5 hoarder” days. This nook now serves as a testament to the power of thoughtful design and organization, proving that even small spaces can achieve grand results.
Home Office Nook Sources
To help you recreate a similar look or find inspiration for your own office nook, here are the sources for the key elements featured in our makeover:
- Gold and leather desk chair
- Gold hexagon trash can
- Black and white modern grid rug
- Glass globe and brass wall sconces
- White filing cabinets with spray paintedgold pin legs
- Herringbone wood look desktop
- Marble book ends
- Custom photo in framed gold
- Peach vase
- BEHR® Equilibrium T18-20 paint
- BEHR eggshell paint
A huge thank you to our wonderful friends at BEHR for collaborating with us on this inspiring transformation! We are committed to making a positive impact, and as such, Sugar & Cloth is donating 5% of all sponsored campaigns to charity, a cause you can read more about here.
46 Cute Desk Accessories to Brighten Your Workspace
From colorful pens to quirky paperweights, spruce up your work…Continue Reading46 Cute Desk Accessories to Brighten Your Workspace
19 Unique & Easy Houseplants that We’re Loving
Looking for unique house plants? Dive into our guide to…Continue Reading19 Unique & Easy Houseplants that We’re Loving
16 Genius Ikea Desk Hacks You Need In Your Life
Discover the ultimate IKEA desk hack guide for a stylish…Continue Reading16 Genius Ikea Desk Hacks You Need In Your Life
DIY Flip Photo Album
This DIY Flip Photo Album tutorial shows you how to…Continue ReadingDIY Flip Photo Album