Years after moving into our custom built home, we finally tackled the room that gave us the most headache! What was supposed to be an office space was more like the room where all abandoned items were placed. A sort of final resting place for mail no one wanted to read. We went back and forth trying to figure out what this space should do for us. When we finally figured it out, we began our home office/den makeover complete with built-ins.
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But first, a little backstory…
When I was 18 and my husband was 22, we shared together our first Christmas as an engaged couple. (Yes, you read those ages correctly, now lets continue!) He had recently moved here from the Dominican Republic to go to get his Master’s degree. This was his first Christmas away from his family and spending it with mine. At that point in time we still were not 100% comfortable with each other’s families. Awkward times indeed! I remember that year my dad gave him a Ryobi tool kit containing only a circular saw, a flashlight and a drill all in a carry bag. I remember the look on my husband’s face at that point. It was a look of confusion, like “what am I gonna do with this?”
If we only knew! Fast forward three years later in our brand-new home, and me, a young wife with an affinity for gardening saying “you could probably build this garden bench, right? You have those tools my dad got you.” A look of skepticism came over his face. And so began his first project (even my dad was proud of that garden bench he built. Maybe. I think… that man is hard to read).
That was the start of it all! Over the years my husband and I would start working together on these projects. We’ve found that these woodworking projects have become our way of spending time together. Bonding and relieving some stress all while creating something beautiful. Also, making babies, which has the same effect. After 9 years and many projects later, I approach my husband with a drawing of wall-to-wall built-ins and a nook for a sofa. “We can build this,” I said to him.
Hell yeah, we can!…
Goals!
Like all projects, we have to first start with a goal and a purpose. What did we want from the space as far as functionality? A place to display the things and objects that are important to us. Concealed storage for paperwork and other things that we need but don’t necessarily want to show off. I wanted the casework to feel colonial, with a little farmhouse. Since the rest of our house is open concept, we wanted for this one room to feel cozy. To be a place we could escape to (except the kids always find us).
How’d We Get It Done?
Was this system hard to build? No, not at all! We made three cases. Each case is separated by spacers allowing the face frame to be 3 inches everywhere, except at the top where the sconces are, and bottoms, for tall baseboard. We left hollow space at the tops of the built-ins and the sides of the nook area for the electrical, which my husband did himself. Please keep in mind, electrical work is not a job you should attempt unless you know what you’re doing and are doing it to code or hiring it out. Regardless make sure you take that into account in your plans if you were to attempt a project like this.
In the nook area, we built narrower cases with drawers. We left the center area empty, connecting the two sides with a header so the piece could look like one large built-in. In the nook, we created an accent wall and use that area for our sofa so that we can have a cozy spot to chill out. We built inset drawers and doors so the system would look furniture grade.
Success!
This was a long project! We started the wall of cases in the Winter 2017. Apparently tool belts are aphrodisiacs because we got pregnant with baby number four. We paused the project in order to make a bunk bed system for our boys. Off-topic, I found the smell of sawdust, which was a childhood smell to me, which I loved, to be nauseating during pregnancy. Anyone else relate? Anyways, after the baby was born, the following Winter we finished the next part of the home office/den makeover.
All this to share some pictures of a project we were very proud of and to share some words of wisdom:
- No matter what you want to do, even if it’s not in your skillset don’t give up without even trying. Who knows maybe in a few years you could be building wall to wall bookcases and saying “hell yes, I did it!”
- And be careful while wearing tool belts; it’ll get you pregnant.
*Disclosure* We are not sponsored or affiliated in any way with the home depot, or blame them for pregnancies. We also do not guarantee you’ll get pregnant. Just covering our backs with this disclosure.
We hope you enjoyed our home office/den makeover post! If you enjoyed this be sure to check out our closet mudroom makeover post as well! Let us know what you think and what you liked. Do you have a space just waiting for a project like this? Comment below!
For items similar to those in our office/den, check these out!
