An outdated dining room was transformed into a bright, timeless home office with practical storage, classic details, and a functional layout for everyday work.
It is finally time to reveal the new home office, and this transformation feels like gaining an entirely new room.
Just a couple of months ago, this space was cluttered, underused, and not very functional. Now it works hard for our family every day. Robert mentioned recently that it feels as if we added square footage to the house, and in many ways, we really did. By turning an unused dining room into a dedicated home office, we created a room with purpose, storage, and a much better flow.
If you have not been following the home office makeover from the beginning, you can see the full progress here:
- Testing Out Mood Boards
- Our Home Office Makeover Plans
- My Entire Room Planning Process
- How to Build a Closet from Scratch
- We Have Paint!
- Easy DIY Closet Shelves & Converting Bifolds to French Doors
- DIY Large Scale Wall Art from a Shower Curtain
- Hale Navy IKEA Cabinet Makeover
- Work Table Makeover & Customizing Unfinished Furniture
- Our Office Lights + Splurge vs. Save Lighting Options
Our house was built in 1960, and we believe this room was originally intended to be a formal sitting room. The previous owners used it as a formal dining room with a long table, while the room that is now our dining room served as their music room.
When we moved in, we shifted several rooms around until the layout made more sense for the way we live. This space turned out to be the perfect candidate for a home office conversion.
It is hard to believe this is the same room. The once outdated dining room now feels bright, fresh, and intentional, with a mix of timeless style and modern function.
One of the biggest upgrades was adding a pair of closets and closing off the once-open doorway with French doors. Because of those changes, the space is now technically considered a fifth bedroom. Even though we do not plan to sell this home anytime soon, it is reassuring to know that this project may have added value while also making the house more livable for us right now.
Here is a closer look at the details that made this home office makeover come together.
Furnishings
For the center of the room, we chose a large unfinished work table and customized it with stain. The goal was to create a shared desk that Robert and I could both use, while still having enough surface area for creative projects, planning, and everyday work.
Instead of choosing standard office chairs, we used dining armchairs on wheels. They bring a softer, more polished look to the room while still offering the mobility we wanted for a workspace. So far, they have been comfortable and practical.
Storage
Storage was one of the most important parts of this home office design. We updated two IKEA cabinets using our laminate furniture painting method and painted them Benjamin Moore Hale Navy. The deep navy color adds contrast, grounds the room, and gives the cabinets a more custom look.
The new closets provide space for larger office supplies and household items that need to stay accessible but out of sight. To keep everything concealed, we added frosted window film to the glass doors. The result is clean, simple, and much more organized.
Lighting
The pendant light was a splurge, but the linen shade and clean modern lines were exactly what this room needed. It adds warmth without feeling heavy and creates a beautiful focal point above the work table.
The wall sconces add another layer of light to a wall without windows. Their design strikes a balance between classic and modern, which fits the overall style of the office perfectly.
Decor
One of the most eye-catching features in the room is the oversized wall art. It was made from a shower curtain, and it still feels like one of the best DIY wins in the entire space. It immediately draws attention when you walk into the room and brings color, scale, and personality to the office.
The area rug brings in just enough traditional style and makes the office feel cozy and finished. The creamy white curtains soften the walls, which are painted Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace, and help the room feel warm instead of stark.
I am especially grateful to have a real workspace now instead of spreading out on the sofa to write. This room gives us a dedicated place to think, plan, work, and dream about future projects.
We are hopeful that this office will become a place where new ideas take shape. In the coming months and years, we would love to use our time and energy to help create peaceful, welcoming spaces for others, especially during seasons when home feels more important than ever.
For now, we are brainstorming future projects with a few close friends and neighbors and seeing where those ideas lead. This room already feels like the kind of place where big plans can begin.
Here are the sources used in the home office:
- Wall & Trim Color: Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
- Cabinet Color: Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
- Door Color: Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron
- Cabinets (Tutorial linked)
- Oversized Art (DIY using this tutorial from this shower curtain)
- Work Table
- Chairs
- Area Rug
- Pendant Light
- Wall Sconces
- Curtains
- Curtain Rods
- Closet Doors
- French Doors
If you want to save this home office makeover for later, you can pin it here:
