From Half-Bath to Home Office: Our Budget Office Transformation

When we first moved into our home just over a year ago, we dove right into renovating nearly every room downstairs. But there was one small space we kept walking past — the downstairs half-bath. For months, it sat quietly at the end of a stretch of rooms — our entryway closet, laundry, and then this little unused bath. We weren’t using it as a bathroom anymore, and it slowly became a catch-all for storage and odds and ends.

We weren’t in a rush. We wanted to really live in the house and see what made sense. At one point, we considered turning it into a mudroom and connecting it to our garage entryway, but that would have meant knocking down walls. And honestly, I wasn’t convinced we’d actually enter through that space often enough to make it worth it.

Eventually, the idea that clicked was much simpler: a dedicated home office.

Finding Our Purpose for the Space

I’d been working in just about every corner of the house — first at a beautiful wooden desk in the living room, then sometimes at the kitchen island. Meanwhile, Mike was handling all of our Jillien Harbor and Etsy shipping right out of the kitchen too. It was time for a more intentional workspace.

So I started scrolling through Pinterest, saving cozy office setups — those with wraparound desks, floating shelves, and layered, lived-in warmth. I wanted something functional but inviting, and above all, budget-friendly.

Using What We Already Had

The first thing I remembered was the wallpaper. It had quite the history already — originally installed on an entire bedroom wall before I had Mike take it all down (he was thrilled!). Then I tried to convince my daughter to use it in her room, but she politely declined.

Turns out, this wallpaper finally found its home here. The pattern pulls in the wooded view from our backyard and pairs beautifully with leftover Farrow & Ball paint we already had on hand. I love when a design plan comes together using pieces we already own.

Easy Flooring Upgrade

Next up: the floors. This little room had two layers of old vinyl stacked on top of each other. We tore them out, scrubbed the base layer, and laid down peel-and-stick tile. It’s one of my favorite DIY flooring solutions — affordable, easy to cut to size, and instantly gives a polished look.

Building the Custom Desk

For the desk, I initially ordered a few options that didn’t pan out — the pieces arrived folded in thirds instead of as long planks. So, back they went.

We ended up going with our go-to IKEA countertops instead. They’re solid, sleek, and come in several faux finishes. Mike trimmed one down to fit with his table saw, creating a deeper surface on the left and a narrower one on the right.

To install it, he mounted a cleat piece of wood to the wall studs and then drilled a screw through that board up into the countertop. He also applied Liquid Nails to it before screwing it in.

He also convinced me to include a base cabinet for extra storage (he was right!). It’s perfect for housing supplies and helps the space feel built-in and intentional. Plus, we can comfortably fit two chairs — one for me and one for Mike — which also makes it a great future homework spot for the kids.

I added leftover brass pulls from our kitchen, which ties the look together beautifully.

Finishing Touches: Shelves, Decor, and Lighting

Above the desk, we installed our trusty Lack floating shelves from IKEA in a light oak finish. They have a clean look without visible hardware and provide just enough space for styling and storage.

I use one shelf to display Jillien Harbor pillows when customers ask about pairings or color matches — it doubles as both décor and practical workspace sound absorption.

On my desk, I keep things simple: a plant, a small framed photo, and a lidded box to hide pens and cords. Clutter distracts me, so everything has its place. My essential oil faux candle adds a soft glow and subtle scent, which makes the space feel calm and cozy.

We also added a new light fixture — a more contemporary piece that brightens the entire room and adds a playful touch.

The Art That Ties It All Together

I wanted artwork that didn’t compete with the wallpaper — something that would warm the space and feel at home with the blue, green, and beige palette. Enter these framed prints.

They come as a set of six, and they’re so versatile — perfect over couches, buffets, or, in my case, as the main event in this little office. The quality is incredible. I love not only the prints themselves but also the houndstooth fabric matting, which gives them such a bespoke, layered look. Simply lovely.

They’re the perfect finishing touch — subtle yet statement-making, cozy yet elevated.

The Final Result

Last but not least, my desk chair that adds warmth against the cooler blue tones of the paint and wallpaper. The space feels distinctly me — classic but a little playful, polished but not precious. It’s warm, inviting, and functional — the perfect example of how a forgotten space can become one of the most-used rooms in the house.

What I love most is that it didn’t require a full-scale renovation — just creativity, a bit of repurposing, and some strategic DIY.