If you’ve been following us lately, you know that we recently moved and now living in an 70s farmhouse. Our new home is a dream, but it is also pretty outdated. Since we work from home a lot, we thought it would be easy to tackle a makeover of our dual workspace to transform it into an amazing home office. We aimed for a classically stylish space that is also efficient and comfortable.
Planning the Home Office Makeover
We had a few ideal makeover ideas for our two person office space. The home office setup or layout wouldn’t change (we’d keep our same two desks) but we’d focus on mostly the aesthetics, ensuring there is enough space for separate activities within the shared office.
Particularly we wanted to tackle:
Updating the wall and ceiling paint. This would be the most dramatic update, since the walls were golden yellow and the ceiling was a typical white tone.
Updating the window treatments. The previous window treatments did not allow for enough natural light so we wanted to replace them with blinds and install curtains and curtain rods.
Add in interesting and sophisticated wall art. We have some pieces that we love but wanted to elevate the space even more with some new wall art.
Materials and Tools We Used
Paint (we chose Sherwin Williams “Retreat” for the ceiling and “Oyster White” for the walls)
Paint rollers and brushes
Painter’s tape (optional if you know how to cut-in!) and drop cloths
New curtains and curtain rods
Wall art and accents
Area rug
Screwdriver and drill for installing curtain rods and hanging wall art
The Vision
I (Dejene) envisioned a space that was calm and sophisticated, but also bright and inviting with an airy vibe. After all, this is a space that I spend A LOT of my weekday hours, so it’s important that it is as cozy as it can be. We recently painted our primary bedroom a beautiful olive green color and since we liked it a lot, I decided to look for another shade of green. I landed on Sherwin Williams “Retreat”, which is a dark grayish green color. Just bold enough to stand out but still subtle.
We were initially going to do an accent wall like our primary bedroom, but at the last minute, we got the random idea to paint the ceiling! Just to try something new. Then we would leave the walls white (“Oyster White” to be exact) to keep the room bright and open.
Lastly we’d keep the same dual furniture (desks and chairs) and the same home office layout overall, but to tie everything together, I planned to incorporate gold accents, including new wall art and curtain rods.
Phase 1: Out with the Old…
The first step in this transformation was to clear the room, which was a little chaotic and messy as it is every time we start on a room project. We took down the large artwork, old curtains and the old lion head curtain holders. Since we would paint the walls first, we moved all the furniture to the middle of the floor.
Phase 2: … In with the New
Painting over the yellow walls would have honestly been enough by itself! A fresh coat of paint always brings new life to a room.
With the walls refreshed, we turned to the ceiling. Painting a ceiling in a color other than white can be a bold choice and we were second guessing ourselves right before rolling the paint. But once we got on the first coat, we knew it was the right choice. I think the pop of color on the ceiling gave the office a sophisticated edge but it’s not overbearing. It’s just the right amount of unexpected yet nice depth in my opinion.
Phase 3: Adding Home Office Decor
Obviously one of the more exciting parts of our makeover was looking for and installing the new wall art. I went to a couple of stores to find some new pieces like Hobby Lobby and HomeGoods. I even got some pieces from Wal-Mart believe it or not, specifically candles and book ends.
The new curtain rods and curtains came from HomeGoods and installing these were a breeze. I’d say the curtains and curtain rods were crucial in bringing the entire look together. Once they were up, everything felt perfect!
So after that, I put our new and old artwork on the walls, installing a few with anchors since they were kind of heavy. I usually like to match the wood tones (i.e. if one table is weathered wood, then all furniture in the same room is weathered wood) but this time, I went with whatever is already there. Maybe one day I will restain my long desk to match Joshua’s but for now, we will left it like it is!
Looking back on the process, it always amazes me at how much a few changes can transform a space! The right color palette and thoughtful decor choices can make all the difference.
If you work from home with your partner, a family member or another person, it is totally worth it to upgrade your space and makeover your home office for two. A thoughtfully designed office can make a world of difference for you both. Just be sure to choose colors and decor that speak to you, and don’t be afraid to make bold choices. We didn’t need to build any extra accessories because we’re used to working with each other but depending on your situation, you may need to consider factors like privacy and noise control to make sure your shared office space meets all y’alls needs. Creating a functional and productive space work environment for both of you is essential.
Are you considering a DIY home office makeover? Be sure to share your project with us by tagging us on Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok @hammerandhandsaw!
