Small Homes: Cat’s Gorgeous Work-Sleep Space

When you’re given 63 square feet to turn into a bedroom and a workspace, there’s a fine line between cozy and cramped–especially when your wallet is wearing thin. Given that I could not sacrifice desk space for floor space, my approach was simple: neutral colors, maximum light, and efficient storage.

a before photo of cat’s room

Office and Bedroom Decorating

Small Bedroom Office Designs

Office and Bedroom Designs

Bedroom and Office Ideas

Small Bedroom Office Ideas

Office and Bedroom Decorating

Highlights of Cat’s Room

My first step was to install click-lock floors over thin, blue-black carpeting and replace worn dark closet doors with long canvas panels, both of which, thanks to IKEA, were extremely budget friendly (if only I could upload a ‘before’ picture–I nearly cried when I first saw the room!). The light colors made a world of difference.

I had originally intended to install wall shelves, but to my chagrin the wall was cinder block–which, considering that the room is a rental, I was not extremely excited about drilling into. I compensated by purchasing a fantastic, wonderfully large, glass-top desk with crafty shelved legs that allow for comfortable access to a desktop and laptop computer as well convenient space to store books, cables, sub woofers, and any other knick knacks I could need for work.

To keep it from overwhelming the room, I added a canopy between the bed and desk to create the illusion of a separate sleep space.

I used a bright white lamp for the desk and a dimmer, yellower lamp (to create a softer coloring) across from it. Then I added mirrors across the walls and on the back of the door to reflect my light sources off of one another, which brightened up the room tremendously.

Thankfully, my closet space was just enough – but I added a wicker chest at the foot of the bed to house any extra linens or sweatshirts, and a bread box to my bookshelf for loose cables and odds and ends (both thrift store finds).

I believe the best rooms are unique, inviting, and, most importantly, personal. And while certainly minimalism makes decorating small spaces easier, there is also a distinct difference between a full room and a cluttered room.

Note: This is a beautiful room. You’ve done an excellent job, Cat. You can really see the difference when comparing the before and after photos. You would never think it was the same room!

Bookmark this page...

Tags: bedrooms, home offices, makeovers, small homes

Get emailed when updates are added to the website...

:: Return Home >> Decorating a Small Bedroom ::