Home Office Makeover Before and After: A Functional and Beautiful Shared Workspace
Creating a functional and beautiful workspace has never been more important, and this home office makeover before and after completely transformed how we use this space.
Our office needed to work hard for two people—and honestly, it just wasn’t. After the success of our living room renovation, we were ready to take on a full home office makeover and create a space that was practical, organised, and still felt calm and beautiful.
Our Home Office Makeover Goals
Before starting any renovation, I always get clear on what we actually need from the space. This office had to serve multiple purposes, so our wish list included:
- A large desk for Tony to spread out plans
- Storage for books and magazines
- Space for craft supplies and business paperwork
- Organised storage for office stationery
- A hidden solution for a large printer
- A space that felt both functional and beautiful
Planning the Home Office Makeover
Planning is, without question, the most important step in any home office makeover.
I created a detailed list of everything we needed to store and worked out how much space each category would require. It takes time, but this step makes all the difference when it comes to creating a space that truly works.
We quickly realised the existing built-in wardrobe wasn’t going to cut it. Instead, we decided to remove it completely and replace it with custom cabinetry, designed specifically for how we use the space—including dedicated room for our large printer.
Designing a Timeless and Functional Office
Like the rest of our home, we wanted a design that felt classic—something we wouldn’t feel the need to redo in a few years.
Our key design elements included:
- Custom built-in cabinetry to reduce visual clutter
- A library wall for our books
- A feature wall using peel-and-stick wallpaper
- A large desk with plenty of storage
- A Samsung Frame TV for a clean, minimal look
- A large rug to soften the space
- A comfortable office chair on castors
- Remote-controlled Roman blinds
Clearing Out the Space
Emptying the room took longer than expected—it’s amazing how much can accumulate in a small space.
I don’t tend to organise as I go when clearing a room. I find I make much better decisions once the space is finished and I can see exactly what I’m working with.
We also removed the existing wardrobe, which simply wasn’t practical for office storage.
Rebuilding and Custom Cabinetry
This is always our favourite part—bringing the vision to life.
Tony extended the timber flooring into the old wardrobe space so the new cabinetry would sit seamlessly with the rest of the room.
He then designed and built the cabinets using melamine sheets from Bunnings. The pre-drilled shelving holes made the process much easier, and we constructed the cabinetry in two sections to support the weight of the items we needed to store.
We also added power inside the cabinetry so the printer could sit on a pull-out shelf—completely hidden but still easily accessible.
Wall Treatments That Add Character
Because the room is quite small, we wanted to add interest without overwhelming the space.
We chose:
- Peel-and-stick wallpaper (see Shop My Favourites Page) and
- Handmade VJ board with narrow spacing for a more refined look
The subtle pineapple pattern in the wallpaper added just the right amount of personality while still keeping the overall palette calm and neutral.
Finishing Touches That Pull It All Together
Once the painting was complete, it was time for my favourite part—styling the space.
We added:
- A beautiful library unit from Eureka Street Furniture
- Custom doors to match our nearby laundry cabinetry
- Remote-controlled Roman blinds from Blinds Online
- A large rug and pendant light from Temple and Webster
And of course, the desk…
👉 You can see the full transformation of our desk here:
[Marketplace Desk Upgrade: How to Transform a Second-Hand Desk]
(This is honestly one of my favourite parts of the room—it completely changed how the space functions.)
The Final Result: A Home Office That Works
This home office makeover before and after has completely changed how we use this space.
Everything now has a place. The storage works beautifully. And most importantly, it feels calm, organised, and genuinely enjoyable to spend time in.
It’s proof that with thoughtful planning and a clear vision, even a small office can become a highly functional and beautiful part of your home.
