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2011 December Blogging Challenge Day 5 -- A new home office for inspiration

By
Real Estate Agent with Alain Pinel BRE 01367196

Planning a home office


Today, I spent time reviewing plans to reconfigure two rooms into home offices, and drafting a budget to make this happen in January. It’s a heck of way to kick off the year. My hope is that a new office will energize me and give me a new resolve ---- to make more money and pay for it :)

Because I spend less time at the office and more at home, it seemed so overdue to plan my own home office. The third room is already used as my partner Gary’s office and it simply isn’t big enough for two. Besides, I don’t know how it would work out if both of us are on the phone.

Functionality doesn’t have to cost a lot!Remodeling

I had checked with two providers of built-in home office (and wall bed) furniture since I want to convert the front room into a combination home office and guest room.

But the prices were staggering and were simply more than what I budgeted.

So I went to IKEA  in Emeryville CA and had a professional design two offices: front and back. And for good measure, to also design a kitchen remodel. I found that with a little tweaking, it’s perfectly functional to use kitchen cabinets for home office top shelves and drawers as well. And it won't cost me an arm and a leg.

Yes, I know IKEA is not exactly an interior designer’s first choice, but when it comes to making the most efficient use of small spaces, IKEA is tops .



Design gone wild!
By the time I added up the costs of demolition, installation, materials, the project has grown bigger than I had originally planned. Now, I also want to remove all carpet, install new bamboo floors, repaint all rooms.

Ye gads, I have to make more money!

Comments(20)

Charita Cadenhead
eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL
Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

Pacita you've got some real estate to sell don't cha girl?  When working at home, functionality is of utmost importance and it minimizes distractions.  I hope it works out the way you anticipate.

Dec 05, 2011 08:02 PM
Pacita Dimacali
Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA
Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Charita -- I'm counting on increased efficiency and less distractions. Since I stopped going to the office, I've been working in the living room while my nephew stayed in the guest room. Now that he's gone, I must say that it gives me the impetus to make a change, FOR ME!

 

Dec 05, 2011 08:15 PM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

Pacita, the remodel sounds like fun! It always seems one project leads to another. Enjoy!

Dec 05, 2011 08:51 PM
Diane Grady
Endless Summer Realty - Saint Augustine, FL

I know this feeling! Once you start, it is so easy to just keep on going and before you know it you have your entire home remodeled! I did this 2 years ago so I speak from experience. Enjoy the progress and celebrate with each section you get finished! You are brave to begin this before the holidays. Good luck!

Dec 05, 2011 09:55 PM
David Popoff
DMK Real Estate - Darien, CT
RealtorĀ®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct

Pacita, you can set one up very easily, back in school I used a door and some blocks for a table. The future of real estate with the help of the internet will be smaller offices, if any, good luck and happy holidays.

Dec 05, 2011 10:02 PM
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Hey Pacita-I hope it works out for you-just remember to get "dressed" for the new office!

Dec 05, 2011 10:04 PM
J. Philip Faranda
Howard Hanna Rand Realty - Yorktown Heights, NY
Associate Broker / Office Manager

How exciting. I started my firm in a spare bedroom. We still have a home office (bought a house that had an adjoining office suite) but we grew into a brick and mortar space. 

Yes, go make more money, but also save your receipts for your CPA!!!

 

Dec 05, 2011 10:21 PM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

I'm excited for you just by reading this. I only work out of my home. And I love it every minute of it.

Dec 05, 2011 10:24 PM
Phil Leng
Retired - Kirkland, WA
Phil Leng - Retired

Hi Pacita,

What a fun post.

Remodels always seem to cost more and take longer than we thought possible.

Good luck with your renovation

Phil

Dec 05, 2011 10:32 PM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

My wife and I both home office all the time!  We love it and it works great for us.  We're asked how do you stay focused?  When we're in the office it's business we live in the rest of the house. We did a make over last fall and wow what a difference it made in both our attitudes!  If it looks and feels good you're going to have an even better attitude!  Take before and after pics and share with us.

Dec 06, 2011 03:10 AM
Pacita Dimacali
Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA
Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Pamela --- I haven't done any kind of remodeling before, but my Mom surely has. My dad would be surprised to come home to find that walls have been demolished and workers are all over the place.

Diane ---- I don't know that I want to tackle the remodeling all at once...so I'll have to figure out a way to do this room by room

David -- funny you should mention the door. We already have that in Gary's "office": a door over two filing cabinets. Since I graduated a long time ago, seems like I should also graduate from this makeshift arrangement  :)

Marco --- as a matter of fact, getting out of my pajamas to go to my home office is on my list of things to do

Phillip --- oh...that's right. I can show it as a business expense!

Loreena --- I do work at lot a home now, but I still enjoy going to the office from time to time

Phil ---- that's why I consulted three professionals to get the best possible deal and arrangement. I am going with IKEA.

John --- that's the affirmation I am looking for. Glad you mentioned it!

Dec 06, 2011 04:55 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Your remodel sounds exciting.  You should take some before and after pics to share with us.

Dec 06, 2011 05:37 AM
Pacita Dimacali
Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA
Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Chris Ann

Getting excited! Already picked out the bamboo floor, and the sofa bed for the office/guest room.

Yee ha!

Dec 06, 2011 01:18 PM
Cathy McAlister
Cathy Ashley McAlister, GRI CDPE - Broker / Sacramento - Sacramento, CA
Sacramento DRE#00648507

Moved to my home office five years ago and have never looked back.    And, yes, I do have lots of IKEA.  Their stuff really works in a small office.  Congratulations on the new change!

Dec 06, 2011 03:59 PM
Marge Piwowarski
Phoenix AZ Horse Property - Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix AZ Horse Property, LLC

Funny how those projects grow, isn't it?  You will enjoy the value and easily pay it off.  Ikea is a great choice, they do know how to efficiently manage space. 

Dec 06, 2011 04:33 PM
Pacita Dimacali
Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA
Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Cathy--- I am so excited. Hearing about your IKEA experience validates my decision.

Marge --- The project is growing...indeed. Now, I'm also looking at window coverings (wood blinds, perhaps). changing the light fixture in the dining room, expanding the remodel to also include the bathroom and the master bedroom. Even thinking of adding that deck off the rear office. Good golly, I'm making changes to the entire place!

 

Dec 06, 2011 07:21 PM
Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Pacita:

I hope you are taking lots of pictures of the transformation.  Good luck and hope the work doesn't interfere with Christmas holidays.  Happy New year.

Dec 28, 2011 04:35 AM
Pacita Dimacali
Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA
Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Evelyn -- I didn't want to take pictures. The place is really a mad house. We're moving from one room to another. Last night, we slept on mattresses piled high in the dining room because we're having the bedroom repainted and refloored. I ordered the new bed and dresser for delivery tomorrow.

After Gary's office is redone, we'll take a break before tackling the kitchen.

Need a breather from the mess!

Dec 28, 2011 05:57 AM
Amy Hahn
Pine Knoll Shores Realty - Morehead City, NC
Realtor/Broker - Crystal Coast, NC

Yes.... This is the post that Lenn Reblogged that inspired me to turn my house upside down ;0)  Sitting in what will soon be my Home Office right now, and trying to decide what to do next! Thanks so much for this post..... 2012 Is going to be a Great Year!  When you finish, I hope to see pics!  Happy New Year & New Office to you!

Dec 28, 2011 06:31 AM
Pacita Dimacali
Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA
Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Amy --- glad we're all inspiring each other to do something to make our lives more pleasant. Good luck on your remodeling project. I'm neck deep in mine :)

Dec 28, 2011 07:18 AM