My Office Is Now Also A Craft Space
Finally I arrived at the decision to have both my office area and craft space be in my dining area.
My living room and dining room is one long space. So it’s the best area in my one-bedroom apartment to switch furniture about.
Last time you saw this space, I had just gotten everything I needed moved in here.
Unfortunately, I quickly found that my desk chair scraped the sides of the table. So I knew I’d have to come up with a different table/desk to keep from ruining my chair.
My Office Is Now Also A Craft Space:
It took about a month to figure out what I wanted to do. I went back and forth on a decision.
Should I get two file cabinets and put a tabletop surface over them? Buy unfinished kitchen cabinets that I could make into a desk?
I looked for days at simple DIY desks online.
However all the ideas I came up with seemed a bit too expensive or hard to tackle.
So I decided my best bet might be to go with one of those fold-up tables they use at events and large dinners.
With that idea in mind, I headed to Office Depot.
It was important that I see the table for myself to make sure it was sturdy enough for a heavy desk computer. I couldn’t be quite as sure about that if I purchased one online.
I ended up purchasing an 8 foot long folding table for $109.
There was one table at Office Depot that was slightly cheaper, but it didn’t seem to be as sturdy.
The box with the fold-up table easily fit into the back of my SUV.
This seemed to be to be the least expensive way to have both an office as well as a craft space in the same room. While at the same time take up the least amount of space.
So I have things put together now and I’m pleased with my decision.
My Coffee Bar Is Handy:
The coffee bar is right behind the desk/craft area. That makes it very convenient to grab a quick cup of coffee while I’m mulling over ideas, etc.
I brought most of my craft supplies into this room, which freed up space where they were stored before.
I’ve organized my office things at one end and my craft supplies at the other.
I have decorated the wall to my liking. It is more of a collage wall now. With paintings and a bulletin board and a framed clock, etc.
I hung one of my framed college awards for feature writing on this wall.
My Lovely View Through The Patio Door:
Now that everything is in place, I find that I love working in here.
This room is such a wonderful light-filled area. I don’t have this kind of natural light any place else in my apartment.
My office chair rolls easily from the office area to the craft making area. So I’m very pleased with that. It just made everything so much easier.
My house plants love all the incoming light.
I get to watch the squirrels and birds and the leaves falling from the trees while I’m sitting at what is now my desk.
Now it’s easy to work on my computer or make a craft at the other end of the table.
Yes, I think this was my best choice in terms of space and cost.
Have you come up with an idea for a DIY office or craft space without breaking the bank?
Your home looks amazing Brenda! Well done with your small space decor.
Brenda, that table was a perfect solution and looks wonderful! So glad you found something that is dual purpose!
Oh my goodness! I love how you've recreated this space…. the red and other bright colors make me happy. It seems like a perfect solution. Love it!!!
This looks fabulous, Brenda! What a great solution….and I do love a big table like this…I makes me want to sit down at it and make things 🙂 Love the colour scheme here too.
Helen xox
Hi Brenda, great idea for your office. Did you try Overstock.com? Shipping is $2.95, no matter what you buy, even if it's a fridge and a sofa. They have everything, and cheap shipping always makes it a good deal.
I did check there. But I decided I really wanted to feel the thickness and I couldn't do that if I ordered online.
Sometimes it helps to check the Q&A…I saw a 6' table there, and someone questioned how much it would hold, the answer from someone who had already purchased it was 350 pounds. I frequently get emails after I buy something on Amazon and Overstock, asking if i can answer a question about the product.
What a great solution. I love your new craft/work area. The wall above is wonderful!
Another take on "gallery wall" except mine is just put up helter-skelter!
Great solution. Have you thought about painting the metal legs red? It looks great. I'm in the middle of a craftroom desk redo too. I'll let you know how it turns out.
That's an idea!
Genius! Don't you feel good having found something that suits your needs and is also budget friendly? I think the table looks great in that space. Perfect choice!!
Once again you have pulled off something amazing ! 🙂
That is a great idea! I love it! Everything looks so good. I love the gallery above the desk, and i love
your curtains too! I love it all!
Kathy
This is a great solution and looks so stylish in your office. I love your wall too with the inspiring frames and items. Just the perfect place to work and be inspired!
It looks great! xoxo Su
Yes…a long table is just perfect. We have a couple in the basement…though I have not set them up to work well. I had one set up in a spare bedroom…with all of my desk/office stuf, printer, etc. I loved it…and my rolling chair let me scoot from one end to the other. You will love your new setup I believe. I do not have a spare bedroom now, and the basement is unfinished. Yes…space for stashing stuff! Ha.
Sheila
Brenda,
Your new work table is a great solution for your space and for moving your chair back and forth as needed. I like Mitzi's idea of painting the table red.
Judith
If you liked the red table so much, why don't you paint your new one red? I too love reading your blog-you are very multi-talented.
Well, this seemed like the best option to get that much room. Wish I'd thought of it before now.
Brenda, I have one like this too! I have a heavy printer on one end, and when I sew, I can put my machine on the other end. It's so darn sturdy. I just have to say that I love your red and white check curtains. It really makes your place very comfy and cozy looking.
Brenda, You created a great space for office and crafting. I love those tables and have several for my studio too. I did make a skirt and used velcro to attach it. Gave me lots of under storage.
What a bright and cheery spot to be. Love your wall decor and organization.
I can't have a skirt with Charlie. He tends to "hike his little leg." I might put an oil cloth on it that dropped down quite a ways or something.
Your office/craft space looks bright and cheerful. I think I would like working there.
My hope is that I will get off the computer more and actually make some crafts like I used to!
Love it! I have a small folding table I got to use as a craft table and I really like it, except I got a small one to make sure it would fit into a place I had. Now I wish to rearrange my spare room and get a larger one. I'll check out the one from Office Depot. That seems like a great price for an 8ft table. Good job as always Brenda.
Linda
Well, I looked extensively, believe me, for the best deal. And I believe this was it. I would love to have had the red table I saw online, but it just wasn't feasible.
That is exactly what my son uses for his computer..I also used a smaller one for a desk for a while..they are so practical and if you do use the underside for storage it's doubly good..I also love that your coffee bar is right there for you to enjoy..I wonder if I could make space in my office here for mine….now you have my brain thinking which is good cause it kinda needed a kick start today…lol..
Oh, I bet there's a little niche where you could at least have a "coffee tray." Or a rolling cart.
Great solution Brenda! Love all of your colorful accents. If you have an IKEA near you, they have adorable rolling cards with three shelves (vintage industrial style) for $29 each (they come in at least three colors). I bet they would fit beneath your table if /when you need more storage!
We don't have an IKEA in the whole darned state of OK! I would have to drive clear out of the state to Dallas.
Love your solution and your happy wall. The yellow and red look so good together. You have a knack for putting objects together flawlessly. I love your posts.
Well, you just made my day! Thank you!
Great solution! I used to have one I used for my cutting table in my sewing room. I don't know what happened to that table since we've moved! 🙂
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Maybe it's in a basement or attic?
Brenda, this is so beautiful, it should be on the cover of a magazine. I love how practical it is, too–for work, crafting, anything.
Had to be practical, functional, and CHEAP!
Very clever! I'm happy you found something durable, saved the shipping costs and solved your problems. I like the comment about the table skirt and then being able to store stuff underneath. Brilliant!
Happy Weekend!
Yeah, I love that idea!
but, remember, you want to roll your chair from end to end..
Hey I have one of those tables also!! I have a cloth and a skirt for it and use it as a buffet for parties!! Great solution, Brenda – you've been a busy lady!
Yes, yesterday was busy. But I'm glad I finally figured out what to do about the situation.
What a great idea, Brenda, using a folding table as a desk. Your apartment is so cute. I wish I could decorate like you – lots of cozy little things to look at and enjoy, but whenever I try decorating to achieve the same cozy look, it just looks junky. So I stick with being more minimalist, like always. -sigh-
Hope you're having a great weekend!
Georgia
Oh, you're too hard on yourself.
These things are great, aren't they? I have a 8 ft one in my attic that used to be my sewing table at the last house. We keep the Christmas trees on top and trunks of ornaments underneath. I am working on the garage/studio — a never ending project — where I do all my artsy-fartsy stuff. I keep a drop cloth over my old dining table which I have no room for in this house (it's the one I painted red). I can do all kinds of projects on it, and there are boxes of wood scraps, a rolled up rug, and heaven only knows what else under there!
I remember the days when I had stuff crammed in garages and attics. But those days are no more! The less space you have, the less you can cram into it!
Great solution! I plan on buying one to use when our family all gets together for meals. As we grow, we are running out of room for everyone. 😉
That's the great thing! You can use them for family dinners and all sorts of things.
Umm, I didn't mean to put that question mark in my comment… supposed to have been an exclamation point, but my fingers just went DUH.. LOL
I'm so glad you found a solution and could keep everything there in the light filled area. I used a table just like that, also purchased from Office Depot back in 1996 when I set up my very first office space in the apartment I lived in before meeting my husband. It was the perfect solution for me also since I was unmarried which made me a 'one income' household. I still have that table. It is now in my husband's tool and workspace down in our basement. It's a great table? Perfect for any use a person needs it for. Great choice, Brenda!
I literally spent hours every day for a month trying to find a solution. I didn't realize you could get folding tables that were this strong and durable.
I love this idea. My hubby uses two of these to form an L for his office. Works great and they really do take a beating and hold up well. Love it.
I once had a folding table for my sewing machine, and it wobbled. I hated that. So when I'd call online, I'd ask how thick the top was. But that still didn't tell me much really. So once I saw it and felt the surface, I figured it would do the job. And it's really strong!
What a great solution!! And if you ever want to dress it up, you could use Velcro to put a simple skirt on it. (Maybe to hide more storage?)
Good job, Brenda!
That's a great idea! Then I could use some of the rolling carts for supplies under there.
great idea, bobbie! but I don't mind the basic table with stored items below. We need to have what works for us. I told my sister yesterday, "we need to put things out where we see them and use them, we can't have our spaces company perfect when we don't have much company!"