Re-Decorating an Office for only $10

As you can see in the first two “before” pictures, this office really needed to be re-organized and updated. I don’t function well in chaos or small spaces, and I was finding it difficult to concentrate or get any work done in this cramped over-used space. It was functioning as my work office, my dressing room, storage for both businesses and my sewing supplies, space for my son to play computer games and storage of his art supplies, and space for my husband to use his computer.

I decided to move two of the three desks and computers into other spaces in our home, move my clothes into the bedroom, and make this my dedicated work space.

My vision was a serene, light-filled, minimalist space accented with bright pops of colour. I believe I accomplished my goal by re-purposing furniture and art from around our home.

On the back wall are 5 canvases hung together, three solid colours, and two multi-colours. The two multi-colours were done by dh and I, and are our own interpretation of the same picture. I love how they turned out. The other three canvases were inexpensive canvases we found at the dollar store, painted with the three main colours of the two multi-colour paintings. I had them hanging in my son’s room, but wanted to change out the look in his room anyways, so re-used them in my office.

On the bulletin board I cleared everything off except for some art my family made for me as gifts and a calendar.

The big blue vase on my desk was a gift from my grandma to my mom many years ago, and when my mom passed away in 1998, my grandma told me she wanted me to have it. The red flowers were part of a wedding gift from a family member.

All the pottery came from the recycling depot a couple years ago. They had a sale where you could fill a bag for $1, so I filled two bags full of beautiful handmade rustic pottery for only $2. The pottery was hidden away in the large cabinet in the before picture, and now I have space to feature one of my favorite collections.

One night last summer I mentioned to my husband that I needed a desk with more work space. I was on freecycle that night, and someone was giving away the big desk.

The orange dresser was given to me from a friend.

I angled the desk in the middle of the room so I have room to have a couple seats in front of my desk for client consults.

So basically I just collected stuff from around the house and only spent $10 at the dollar store for the storage boxes to re-decorate the whole room… I love how it turned out!