I have been very busy recently trying to transform our guest room into a work space for both me and my boyfriend. The challenge is to fit a double bed and enough space for two people to work into a relatively small room. Oh, and the budget is only £150…eeek! We need:
– Desk space for two
– Space for a lap top and desk top computer
– Storage for craft materials
– Filing cabinet
– Space for sewing machine
– Double bed
– Drawers for clothes
Difficult? Just a little.
Before:
![DSC_1542 Home office](https://assets.apartmentapothecary.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/DSC_1542-550x826.jpg)
This is the desk that we had before. There was absolutely no storage and only really enough room for a computer, definitely no craft space, let alone room for two to work here at the same time. Photograph by Peachey Photography
After:
I did a lot of planning and searched around for creative storage solutions. Have a look at my last post in which I show my inspiration and my tips for creating a functional, yet stylish, work space: Tidy desk, tidy mind. What I have created is a much more practical, functional space and even though it may not look quite as nice as it did before I think considering how much we had to spend and how much we needed from this space it is as stylish as it can be. I have kept the whole room white with clean lines so it looks as large and as uncluttered as possible. See what you think…
![IMG_8055 Home office and craft room](https://assets.apartmentapothecary.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/IMG_8055-550x825.jpg)
I painted a chest of drawers we already had and changed the knobs (one is missing, I know!) so it could act as an extra ‘leg’ and it provides lots of storage for craft materials. I then bought a 2.5m long piece of MDF for £30 from a timber yard, which I painted and varnished. This sits across the drawers and two Ikea trestle legs that only cost £25. An off-cutting of the wood top is used for the shelf.
![IMG_8070 Home office and craft room](https://assets.apartmentapothecary.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/IMG_8070-550x825.jpg)
This is my end of the desk for my sewing machine, cutting mat and space to craft. A tutorial to show you how to make the cotton reel holder will follow. I have used the noticeboard as an inspiration board with my favourite pictures, magazine cuttings, fabric swatches, postcards.
![IMG_8039 Craft storage solutions](https://assets.apartmentapothecary.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/IMG_8039-550x366.jpg)
I put a broom handle, that I painted, between the shelf brackets and hung Ikea Fintorp pots on Grundtal S-hooks for tools and pens.
![IMG_8065 Craft room](https://assets.apartmentapothecary.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/IMG_8065-550x358.jpg)
My chalkboard storage boxes (see tutorial) are used for craft materials and my favourite interiors books sit on the shelf. I’ve also hung my favourite Double Merrick print. I’ve also added a Loaf lamp that I already had.
![IMG_8050 Craft room](https://assets.apartmentapothecary.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/IMG_8050-550x366.jpg)
I’ve used old Kilner jars with labels printed from Graphics Fairy for my sewing supplies.
![IMG_8076 Home office and craft room](https://assets.apartmentapothecary.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/IMG_8076-550x366.jpg)
The finished room. There’s a filing cabinet tucked in the corner with all my magazines stored on top, that actually looks more like a bedside table (bought from eBay for £20). I hung hooks in this room for guests to hang their belongings when they come to stay. In total we spent about £120 on: desk, shelf, filing cabinet, storage and paint. Now, I just need to find two proper desk chairs although that will probably require quite a bit more than £30 (maybe more like £300!)
Jules has since realised that making a work space for two may not have been such a good idea; I like a good chat whilst I’m crafting or blogging and he has a lot of ‘real’ work to do! Ha! Too late now.