From Catch-All to Command Center: Our Home Office

For the past six months, we’ve been a little unsure about how to use this room. On the real estate listing it was called a “den,” but given its location just off the main entry and right near the kitchen (plus all those glorious built-ins), I eventually realized it was most likely the home’s original dining room, Being a much large home than Hosta House, with 2 other dedicated dining areas, the last thing we needed was another.

But once we moved in, it quickly became what so many rooms turn into during a transition phase: a catch-all. The place where things get set down “just for now”… and then somehow stay there.

One of the first things we tackled in this room was pulling up the red carpet and refinishing the original hardwood floors. After that, though, it slowly turned into a drop zone for random things.

I’ve realized that homes just function better when spaces are clearly defined. It naturally guides how rooms get used and how people move through the house. And this room was definitely ready for a little direction, plus the amazing storage/built-ins were being grossly underutilized.

Why an Office Made Sense Here

Because of where this room sits in the house, I briefly considered splitting it and turning it into a mudroom and pantry. It would have been incredibly practical. But my mom actually talked me out of it, pointing out how beautiful the space was and how it deserved to be more than just a pass-through, and even though I knew I could make the mudroom/pantry beautiful, maybe she was right?

Not long after, a brand reached out asking if I’d feature one of their desks in our home. My immediate reaction was YES. Our home office felt like the perfect next project. And as a content creator going through a bit of a slump, nothing motivates you quite like a challenge AND a deadline.

As that deadline got closer, though, I realized I didn’t have the energy to tackle our upstairs office. Between the wallpaper, the extremely heavy furniture that came with the house, and the fact that my husband had been enjoying the space as it was, it all felt like too much.

And that’s when it clicked. This room was the answer. But it wouldn’t be just a home office. It would be a space we could all use. A place to plan, meet, work, and study– a place to manage daily life. Not a formal home office tucked away behind a door, but a shared space that could handle multiple roles.

Designing the Home Office Around Function First

Going into this project, I knew I didn’t want a full renovation. No ripping things out, no repainting everything, and no waiting for a “perfect” vision to arrive. Instead, I challenged myself to work with what was already here and make thoughtful decisions around function.

That meant accepting the existing paint and conditions, instead of fighting it. It meant using a rug and decor I already owned. It meant making the antique built-ins work as real storage for office supplies, paperwork, and everyday tools, not just act as display.

Once the room was cleared out, it became obvious that removing just two things completely changed the feel of the space: the bulky ceiling fan and the Roman shades. Both instantly dated the room, and taking them down made the whole space feel lighter and more current.

I wanted this to be a space that came together without thinking too deeply about it. A space that’s beautiful, and that could make a difference in how it functioned for us and our daily life.

And adding this new super functional desk, helped everything else fall into place.

Styling 

This space is styled for real life—baskets on boxes, on baskets, and filled with the things we actually use.

Shelves that hold supplies we reach for daily.

Decor that brings warmth and personality without getting in the way of how the room functions, and this space functions pretty similarly to my  breezeway at the Hosta House, but more like a command center for daily life,  and a little less rustic workshop.

NOTE to Self

These days I find myself drawn to spaces that feel calm, grounded, and lived in.

This room didn’t have a dramatic before-and-after, but it reminded me that big renovations, paneling, or wallpaper aren’t always necessary to make a space feel complete—especially when you have a long list of projects waiting in other parts of the house.

It also reminded me that you don’t have to wait for the perfect plan or the trendiest idea to start. Sometimes simply giving a room a clear purpose can be just as transformative as a full renovation.

There are still a few small things I’d like to do in here, like add window treatments and give the fireplace a little update and maybe eventually freshen up the paint, but it’s already come a long way.

This room finally has a purpose and that alone makes my heart really happy.

I have a feeling this first year in our new home will be filled with more projects like this. Not big, dramatic makeovers, but small, thoughtful updates as we continue settling in and slowly making this home our own.

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