Home office mood board design plans for transforming one room into a flexible, multipurpose space for office work, homeschooling, overnight guests, and meetings.
Today feels like the perfect time to begin a new room makeover.
It has been a while since we created a classic mood board room design project, and this one is especially exciting. Robert and I have spent the past two months planning a home office makeover for our pastor and his wife, Dave and Ellen. After waiting through a few frustrating supply delays, we are finally ready to bring the vision for their home office to life.
This makeover is all about creating a hardworking room that still feels calm, welcoming, and personal. Over the next couple of weeks, we will be turning this office into a more functional space, and we are excited to share the process along the way in our Instagram stories.
Here is the home office space where the transformation will begin.
Home Office Before
One of the best features in this home office is the tall double window. It brings in plenty of natural light, which instantly makes the room feel brighter and more inviting. Dave needs a generous work surface where he can spread out study materials, plan, write, and prepare, but he prefers a simple desk without drawers.
The current leather chair is comfortable for reading, but its oversized shape takes up a large amount of valuable floor space. The work table also extends into the center of the room, which might be fine if this were used only as a traditional office. However, Dave and Ellen need this room to serve several different purposes, so the layout needs to work much harder.
What It Needs
- Home Office Space – Dave needs a practical area for studying, planning, writing, and preparing materials.
- Homeschooling & Storage Space – Since the family homeschools, the office also needs a dedicated desk where the kids can complete schoolwork and use a computer.
- Guest Room Space – When visitors stay overnight, this room sometimes needs to function as a single sleeping area, so there must be room for a futon or convertible chair.
- Meeting Space – Dave occasionally holds meetings in this office, which means the room needs comfortable seating that can be arranged flexibly.
When one room has to serve multiple purposes, the best approach is to divide it into zones. Each zone should support a specific function while still allowing the room to feel cohesive and uncluttered.
Desk Zone Design Plan
Desks
For a budget-friendly office desk, this IKEA desk is a strong option. It has a clean, simple design without drawers, but it also includes a pull-out panel that can provide extra work surface whenever Dave needs more room for books, notes, or writing materials.
For the homeschooling area, this corner workstation makes excellent use of an otherwise underused corner. It offers a compact, dedicated place for school tasks without taking over the entire office.
Desk Chairs
Instead of using standard office chairs, upholstered dining armchairs can provide both comfort and flexibility. Dave and the kids can sit properly while working at the desks, but the chairs can also be turned toward the center of the room for meetings, counseling conversations, or casual seating.
Home Office Shelving Before
Dave and Ellen need plenty of book storage, but the existing shelves do not fully maximize the back wall. There is unused space at the top and along the sides, which means the room is missing an opportunity for more efficient storage.
Built-In Storage Zone Plans
We have built DIY built-in shelving using IKEA Billy bookcases before, so we plan to create a similar built-in storage wall in this office. The goal is to fill the back wall from side to side and nearly floor to ceiling, making the shelving feel custom and intentional.
To keep the storage looking clean, we will also add Oxberg doors. These will provide concealed storage for items that do not need to be visible while still allowing the room to feel organized and polished.
Home Office Wall Space Before
This wall is not currently serving a clear purpose. By reworking the desk layout and improving the flow of the room, this wall can become much more useful. It has just enough space for a futon, which would allow the home office to double as a guest room when needed.
Home Office Lounge / Guest Zone Plans
Futon
This mid-century modern style faux leather futon is a practical and affordable choice for the lounge and guest zone. It can be used as a comfortable reading spot during the day and converted into a full-size bed when guests stay overnight.
Wall Color
Because this room will often be used for prayer, spiritual counseling, study, and education, the wall color should feel peaceful and grounded. A soft mid-tone blue, such as Farrow & Ball Oval Room Blue, could help create a serene atmosphere without making the room feel too dark.
Rug
Dave is from Chicago, and his family loves the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs. He and his oldest daughter even record a football podcast together in this office, so a navy and rust rug feels like a meaningful choice. The colors subtly reference their favorite teams while still fitting the overall design plan.
Because the rug is rated for indoor and outdoor use, it should also be easy to clean. That is especially helpful in a room where homeschooling projects, creative messes, and everyday family life will happen.
Art
Large-scale artwork can help a small room feel larger. On this windowless wall, peaceful landscape art would add depth, softness, and a meditative mood to the space.
Home Office Entrance Before
The double French doors are one of the most charming features in this home office. They create beautiful symmetry and make the room feel connected to the rest of the home.
However, the glass panes create a privacy issue when the room is used for overnight guests. The solution needs to preserve the look of the doors while making the space more comfortable and private.
Office Coffee / Entertaining Zone Plans
French Door Shades
We plan to replace the curtains with French door Roman shades. They will provide privacy for guests without interfering with the function or appearance of the doors.
Coffee Bar Station
If this room will be used for meetings, study sessions, podcast recording, and guest stays, a coffee station makes perfect sense. This wall has just enough room for a demilune table and a Keurig, creating a small but useful coffee bar.
Wall Mounted TV
A wall-mounted TV beside the futon would make the room even more versatile. It can serve as entertainment for guests, a screen for meetings, or a useful display during football podcast recordings.
Home Office Design Sources
- Desk with Pull-Out Panel
- Corner Desk
- Upholstered Desk Armchairs
- Rug
- Built-In Shelves (tutorial)
- Futon
- Art
- Black Art Frame
- Flush Mount Light
- Demilune Table
- Lidded Basket
- Burl Wood Frames
- Table Lamp
- Desk Lamp
- French Door Roman Shades
- Window Roman Shades
- Vintage Wrigley Art
We are excited to see how this multipurpose home office makeover comes together. The plan is to create a room that supports focused work, homeschooling, meetings, rest, and hospitality without feeling crowded or chaotic.
We are hoping the project goes smoothly with no major hiccups, although every room makeover seems to come with at least one surprise along the way. Fingers crossed this one keeps those surprises to a minimum.
