How a dull dumping space became a little home office

Most homes have a dumping space or room. Or so I’d like to believe (if you don’t, then please share your secret). Unfortunately, we always end up with a little dumping area in our home.

This was exactly what happened to our small ‘spare room’. Until a couple of months ago when I decided that we could & should use the space in a more sensible & practical way.

Having a dedicated work area, home office or studio at home is a luxury, but it makes such a difference in your life. I really miss having such a happy dedicated space of my own like my gorgeous monochrome & gold home office in our George Home.

Unlike with other spaces or room make-overs, I didn’t have a dedicated Pinterest board or a very specific look in mind for this room. My goal was simply to update the room with what we have in the home already.

So I’ve decided to share the steps/tips for creating a room with what you have in the home:

Tip #1: Declutter

Nothing spruces up a space like a good cleanup. After much thought, I got rid of the single bed & base set.

As a rule, I would not recommend getting rid of beds because I love having a room where guests can stay over. The bed was already very old & taking up most of the floor area  though. And in this compact house, we really need the workspace more than we need an extra bed. It also turns out that our nieces love sleeping on little camping beds when they come over! Bonus.

Tip #2: Play around with furniture & decorative items that you already own

Our riempies bench has served us well in different spaces & in different styles. For instance, it was downstairs as ‘extra’ seating in our current living area, but I like it here too.

You might also remember it from the sunny corner in our Illovo apartment…

Or from the entrance area in our George home…

Also, our little red table is a really fun furniture piece. Even after seven years, I love the colour (Plascon’s Red Stallion 2). It is also just the right size for little corners & rooms. In this new ‘home office’ it became a mini desk:

It has also done duty in our George home spare room:

And in our Illovo apartment, it was the centre of the most fun accent corner that I have ever created. I’m still in love with the yellow & grey door, aren’t you?

The locker was also moved from downstairs for more storage.

Tip #3: Consider an accent wall

Paint is such an easy way to dress up a room, so I would always consider an accent wall! This room received a coat of fresh Plascon Brilliant White paint & then two dark coats of one of the walls.

Tip #4: Change the hardware in the room

Changing a light fitting, light switch cover or knobs are easy ways to freshen the look, so I changed the knobs on the cupboards from boring silver to black.

Tip #5: Add final decorative bits

With the final touches, I also tried to use what I already had, like the Elsje Design hangers & prints that I bought earlier this year at Kamers & the Michael Chandler “Throw a tantrum” scatter cushion from Mr Price Home a few years ago. I added a calendar from M Studio, a quote (from an old magazine) on the locker & some ornaments on the windowsill. A white orchid completed the picture!

Are you planning a room makeover or doing one at the moment? I’d love to hear from you. Thanx so much for visiting.

Yolandi ♥

Images: Andrea Caldwell for aZestyLife.