Dreams To Do
28
Jan
2013

Another Makeover: The Office

categories: Around the House, Happy Days, Weekend Fun

My blog isn’t the only aspect of my life to get a little update lately. This past weekend I finally got around to giving our office/playroom space a little makeover. Those of you who have been following my blog for a while may remember that this was on my get-done-before-baby-arrives list when I was pregnant with Landon! Yep, perfect example of my battle with procrastination.

So, our office is not pretty. It is a wood paneled room that has this crazy colorful stripped carpet tile flooring. While I would LOVE to ditch the wood and get some new carpet, that just hasn’t made the cut in our budget. So, instead I just bought some new curtains, a new lamp, a white fluffy rug, a mirror, and a new white shelving unit – all things to brighten the space up a little. Still to do: a new desk (white!) and a new chair (I’m thinking a bright color, like yellow).

Our office/playroom BEFORE (yikes!):
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Our office/playroom AFTER:
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Still need to get some photos up in that frame on the wall!

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Suttle changes, but such a huge difference in the overall feel of the space – I actually enjoy being in there now! I also came up with a clever curtain solution that I’d like to share with you. The windows in our office are 36″ wide, so one standard 54″ curtain panel would cover them perfectly. BUT, I wanted a panel to hang on either side of the window for a balanced look. When I went to Target, I purchased two 54″ panels instead of four and just cut them in half. Here’s what I did…

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  1. Fold curtain in half hot dog style (Ha!) and cut along the fold.
  2. Fold the raw edge of each panel under about 1/2″ and iron it flat.
  3. Glue down your folded edge with the ever-amazing Liquid Stitch fabric glue.
  4. Enjoy your new beautiful curtain-framed windows.

So, in the end I saved myself $40 by buying two panels instead of four. Love it!

The best part about my little office update is what’s going on behind the scenes. I took everything out of our drawers and file cabinet and re-organized. I shreaded documents and created new folders (like one for Landon, who still didn’t have his own file). You don’t even know how good this feels. It seems like I’m on a little bit of a makeover roll… I’m thinking I’ll do my hair next and then maybe tackle the basement mess. :-)

Have any of you taken on any organizational projects in this new year?

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  • Megan

    Call me crazy, but I think the flooring is kind of fun!
    Looks good! Love the mirror.

    • http://www.dreamstodo.com/ Ariel @ Dreams To Do

      I think it’s fun, too but it is really limiting in terms of things/colors we put in the room. I would rather have a neutral flooring and be able to add a super fun and funky area rug/curtains, etc. Ya know? :)

  • Katie Robinson

    Awesome office/playroom! Isn’t it such a relief to organize? So much less clutter. I have those same curtains in our den–perfect along with brown. :)

    • http://www.dreamstodo.com/ Ariel @ Dreams To Do

      Oh my gosh, it feels SO good! What took me so long? :)

  • http://alazycrazylife.blogspot.com/ beckyj @ alazycrazylife

    Wow, what a change! Looks great! Can you please send some organization motivation my way?! :) Have you though about paining the paneling? It’s a total PITA (we did it at my house growing up and I had to help) but it really made a difference in the room. And for the record, I think your carpet tiles are perfect for an office/playroom.

    • http://www.dreamstodo.com/ Ariel @ Dreams To Do

      I have definitely thought about painting it, but everyone says it would be a pain in the ass since it’s been up since the 1940′s and has a thick oil-like stain on it. Do you have to just sand the heck out of it? Maybe some day. :)

      • http://alazycrazylife.blogspot.com/ beckyj @ alazycrazylife

        Oh man, sanding AND painting sounds like a total nightmare!! I don’t suppose something like a liquid deglosser would easily do the trick? Either way, you’re doing great working with what you have-awesome!

  • http://www.palmtreemama.wordpress.com/ Fiona

    Wow, it looks great!!! It is amazing how a few little items can make such a change. And of course, de-cluttering is always so nice. This makes me want to de-clutter and re-organize my tiny office this week! I agree with the others, that carpet does look fun and joyful! :) Although I understand what you mean about it then making it tough to match other bright colours or patterns else where in the room. It all came together wonderfully in the end though!

    • http://www.dreamstodo.com/ Ariel @ Dreams To Do

      Do it Fiona! So worth the time. I’m just trying to figure out why I put it off for about 2 years. Ha!