MAKING USE OF DEAD SPACE IN YOUR HOME!

How I turned my dining room into a writing and reading room—aka my office.

As a writer, I often move around the house, typing here and there. We have an office in a backroom that my hubby uses, but I cannot share a space with him and think. So I bought a small desk and put it in my bedroom, which offered me a quiet place to write, but when it came time for edits and a plethora of papers were on my bed and floor, I decided this didn't work either. I needed a space of my own. A place where I could spread out my novel, create a mess, and leave it as I try to work some magic by turning my crazy thoughts into a story.

Thus the vision of my office was born. I don't know about you but in my house the formal dining room is dead space. (Dining room table in back corner attached to the formal living room--another wasted space in the house. See how open the room is?)

We eat at the breakfast table or at the counter in the kitchen or at the outside table by the pool.

We've lived in our home for almost 9 years and have only used the formal dining room twice—for eating. Other times, we've used it for crafts or homework or projects but it still felt like a waste of space. So I decided to turn it into an office. My office. With no walls anywhere, this wouldn't be a simple project of hanging doors. I was going to need a contractor. I had done interior decorating part-time when my kids were younger and have always had a good eye for detail. I could envision what I wanted and was eager to see that image come to life.

After calling a few local contractors, I found a company whose owner ironically lived in my neighborhood. He had a great reputation and had done work for several families. He listened, understood my vision, and was ready to tackle my reno project. It only took about four weeks to do with the last week being touch ups and stuff. And the best part, I have my very own, private pretty little space, where I can lock myself in, leave a mess if I want to, and add the color pink!

I love it! Couldn't be happier and what was once a wasted space is now 100% functional.

Got any questions or projects in mind for creating a reading or writing space in your home? I love to give suggestions, advice, and help in any way I can.

Have a look at the before and after pics and let me know what you think!