2 Clever DIY Projects Transform This “Bonus Room” into a Cozy Office
Credit: Salma Chatto Credit: Salma Chatto
Credit: Salma Chatto Credit: Salma Chatto
Credit: Salma Chatto Credit: Salma Chatto
ABOUT THIS BEFORE & AFTER
HOME TYPE: House
PROJECT TYPE: Office & Dens
STYLE: Colorful, Eclectic
SKILL LEVEL: DIY
RENTAL FRIENDLY: No
As working from home becomes more common, a solid home office setup is key. Whether it’s a small desk in a corner or an entire room, carving out a dedicated workspace can make a big difference. Just ask graphic designer Salma Chatto (@chateauchatto), who recently transformed a “bonus room” in her home into a functional office for herself and her husband, Stuart.
“It was just a small room with carpet,” Salma says. She adds that the previous owners likely used it as an additional sitting room. “The owners had a little sofa in there,” she says. Salma pegged the one-time sitting room as the perfect location for a new office.
“We didn’t need a big room — just enough for the two of us and some storage for [our] online business,” she says. With a plan and some clever DIY hacks, Salma created an organized, functional office right in her home.
Start with a DIY feature wall.
From the beginning, Salma knew she wanted to create a feature wall where the desks would face. “I liked the slatted paneling that was emerging at the time, so we DIY’ed that [and] cut the wood [ourselves], as it was cheaper,” she says.
Doing the work themselves saved the couple money, but it did involve a bit more work. “[We] varnished the plywood, measured and cut the strips from a big sheet of thick plywood, spaced it out on the wall, and [then] glued and nailed them in using a nail gun,” Salma says.
Items from Salma’s personal decor/art collection add a personal touch to the wall. “I wanted a big, long full-length shelf above us to house lovely ornaments and design pieces,” she says. The natural wood shelf blends in nicely with the wood slats, and the black brackets stand out in the best way.
Add function with a personalized desk.
Salma and Stuart wanted a long desk where they could both work, but creating it to their exact preferences was too pricey. “Custom big desks are expensive, so we just made it [out] of a countertop and drawers,” she says.
They found the materials on Amazon, and the wood countertop complements the wall and shelf, creating a cohesive desk area.
With so much wood, Salma added a pop of green to her home office: Wilko Walls & Ceiling’s “Dark Ivy” matte paint. She painted the bottom half of the office wall to add some visual interest without overpowering the room. “[I]t is a small room, and I didn’t want it to be too dark, but I also wanted a deep green in the space,” Salma says.
When the DIY projects were all done, the couple was left with a dream home office. “[It] functions as an office so well instead of [as the] empty sitting space it was designed to be,” Salma says. “I can work while the kids are playing in the other room, and I can hear everything.”
Inspired? Submit your own project here.
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Ashley — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space
We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here’s What They Said
