Here is a low cost way to add highly desireable square footage to a home for almost no money.  Build in a home office.  But where?  And how?  See the answers below photos.

BEFORE                                                                                       AFTER

BEFORE home staging - treadmill storage nook AFTER home staging - Wow them with a built-in home office

WHERE:

It could be almost anywhere.  All you need is an alcove (3-sided wall space) somewhere in the home.  It could be that nook in the basement where the treadmill is stored.  What about that closet with the sliding doors in the upstairs bedroom?  Or perhaps the back hall closet or kitchen pantry? 

HOW:

Simple.  Any space with 3 sides will do.  Line the 3 sides at desk height with some wall brackets or horizontal 2x4's.  Next, lay 2-3 long planks that you nailed together from underneath, and painted or stained.  (Drill a hole for computer cords and task light.)  Attach to brackets/2x4's.  Paint the alcove for drama, add a couple of floating shelves, accessorize, optional draperies to close off the space, and you are done!

For more staging tips and photos, please visit http://www.bostonhomestaging.com/.

Lisa Kauffman Tharp

Boston Home StagingTM and the Boston Home Staging TM logo are trademarks of Austin Siena, LLC.   Copyright 2007, Austin Siena, LLC.  
All rights reserved.  Republication, duplication or dissemination of this content is expressly prohibited without written permission.  
For more information, please contact 978.897.4780.

 

 
Post is included in group: New England Professionals
Post is included in group: Stagers Open Forum
Post is included in group: Home Staging
Post is included in group: Staging Secrets
Post is included in group: Staging Successes
Post is included in group: Staging Crafts & Creatives
Post is included in group: Staging "Before" & "After" Pictures

45 Comments on Add a Home Office WITHOUT Adding On - Low Cost, High Impact Staging Tips from Boston Home Staging

JAN
15
2007
370,539 Points 62 Featured Posts Outside Blog
That is awesome!  Who knew that whole are could take such a turn!
5:42am • #1
434,724 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Very Nice! Can you come down to Ft. Lauderdale and re-do my office? :)
6:40am • #2
2 Featured Posts

Thanks, Scott.  Travel expenses paid, right?  :)

L.

6:46am • #3
317,408 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Lisa - what a DRAMATIC change!!!  That's so beautiful, and you made it sound so simple.

Care to travel up to Portsmouth??   ;-))

Ann

9:56am • #5
JAN
16
2007
2 Featured Posts

Hi Ann.

You are not too far!  For a little extra toll money, I am happy to visit Portsmouth.  Great town.  Let me know if I can help.  :)

Cheers.

Lisa

5:53am • #6
126,698 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog

very cool idea.

cheers,

cindy

i love staging and all things staging!

i stage to sell, live & work in san francisco bay area

www.staged4more.com

http://stagingtipsandmore.com 

 

7:33pm • #7
JAN
17
2007
1 Featured Post

That is a great idea.  Love the paint color.  Seems like a lot of clients have issues with holes in there walls, but that is so useful I can't imagine they would mind!!

 

Dawn

Home Squad

4:37pm • #8
JAN
18
2007
2 Featured Posts

Dawn.

Thanks for your comment.  I agree that clients dislike holes in the wall, and for good reason... they are a small nuisance to patch and repaint.  Which is why I always leave touch-up paint on the job.  Once I hang decor, I have never, ever had a client sorry they let me do it.  The price of a few touch-ups in exchange for WOW rooms AND listing photos is ALWAYS worth it!

Cheers.

Lisa

8:40am • #9
MAY
07
2007
MAY
12
2007
256,629 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Lisa I love your work! What a transformation. Adding that valuable space for such a small investment of time or money, very clever. You are good girl!
12:23pm • #12
127,609 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I love this one. I just did a consult for a vacant home that has french doors in the MBR that lead to an attic. The attic can be staged as a sitting room/office as part of the Master Suite. I think this idea would work fabulously in this space.

I will have to try this. Hope I get the job!!

Phyllis Pafumi

9:23pm • #13
299,466 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
What a dramatic change.  Congratulations on a great job.
9:45pm • #14
MAY
13
2007
Lisa, WOW! I love it, and as a certified lighting specialist I was very impressed with the way you lit the art!  KUDOS!!!!!
11:06pm • #15
MAY
24
2007

Wow - this is AWESOME.  Can you come to Virginia?  I love this.

Denise

9:09am • #17
What color are the walls...Porter Cumin?  I would love to know.  They are gorgeous!
11:10pm • #18
MAY
26
2007

Great tip, I am looking for a change already.

Thanks,

Lynette

11:48am • #19
MAY
28
2007
15 Featured Posts

Lisa,

What a wonderful transformation and I love the wall color!  Thanks for sharing this 'tip'!

VAL

7:37pm • #20
JUN
01
2007
Really beautiful.  I love the dramatic color that you chose for the walls.
9:53pm • #21
JUN
06
2007
189,189 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Congratulations, Lisa.  Your post is being featured in the group Staging "Before" & "After" Pictures.

Kathy

6:50pm • #22
JAN
06
2008
JAN
08
2008
Great info to know....i can pass this along to others. 
10:09pm • #24
JAN
09
2008
It is a great use of space.  A lot of bang for the buck!  The lighting in the photo and the wall color brings it together beautifully.  
8:57pm • #25
JAN
14
2008

Lisa,

Great job!  I love it!   And I too would love the paint color if you don't mind sharing. 

 Sheri Davis

Sheri Davis
8:54pm • #26
JAN
15
2008
JAN
18
2008
Rich color and look ! Great transformation!
8:02pm • #28
JAN
19
2008
Very nice way to utilize "wasted spaces" and add equity to a home!  Nice job!
1:04am • #29
JAN
23
2008
I love the transformation.  I have seen some amazing rooms, but there is just something so classic and basic about this! Great job!
9:35am • #30
JAN
25
2008
Outside Blog
Thanks for the idea Lisa.  Home office space has been a huge challenge in our home. Now my husband and I both need one.  Maybe, I can find somewhere to do this for my office space.
12:14pm • #31
FEB
06
2008
MAY
02
2008

Lisa, Great transformation!   Of course the colors really make this come alive, too.  

I have done this before and it is winner everytime.  Great job, to set the mood in this room.  Lovely!

9:36pm • #33
2 Featured Posts

Lisa, Great transformation!   Of course the colors really make this come alive, too.  

I have done this before and it is winner everytime.  Great job, to set the mood in this room.  Lovely!

9:38pm • #34
MAY
04
2008
1 Featured Post

That doesn't even look like the same space.  I bet the homeowners were thrilled.  Fantastic job. 

Chrissie

6:48am • #35
MAY
08
2008
314,117 Points 8 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Lisa

Great photo, I have asked a few stagers about contacting me if they are interested in working with a New Hampshire broker on new construction, is there a regional association I can contact. Steve Loynd

8:14am • #36
1 Featured Post
Great idea; small office areas can be accessorized so beautifully; great way to add pizazz and function to an otherwise unusable area.
4:05pm • #37

great idea, great pics, wonderfully accessorized!

Im hunting around my house for an alcove as I type, lol...

thanks for sharing.

5:44pm • #38
MAY
19
2008
6 Featured Posts

My goodness you do beautiful work love the lights love the entire thing! Kym

11:30pm • #40
NOV
25
2008
NOV
26
2008
NOV
27
2008
4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Lisa, this is such a dramatic transformation. I think it works exceptionally well as the walls have been painted an interesting colour which grounds the space. Excellent idea and one that is easily to achieve on a modest budget.

1:34pm • #45
NOV
28
2008
NOV
29
2008
NOV
30
2008
Outside Blog Hit Router

Lisa,

What a great way to make use of an undefined space!  This office looks fantastic and functional,...GREAT WORK!

7:38pm • #53

Great use of space, just think of the extra function you created in there! Lots of added value!

9:44pm • #54
204,922 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog

This is such a creative idea, and the art looks fantastic in the space.

9:53pm • #55
DEC
01
2008
DEC
02
2008
DEC
03
2008
DEC
04
2008
MAY
04

This looks great! What a wonderful use of unique space.

1:03pm • #68

Leave a response…



(optional)
What does the graphic say?
 
Rainmaker_large

Lisa Kauffman Tharp - BostonHomeStaging.com

Concord, MA

More about me…

Boston Home Staging

Address: Box 1083, Concord, MA, 01742

Office Phone: (978) 897-4780

Email Me



Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find MA real estate agents and Concord real estate on ActiveRain.