Graphic Design White Space
Can I fit a functional home office into a two-wall 7′ x 5′ “nook”?
We are remodeling our kitchen. One of the things I really need is a great, functional home office (I work from home in freelance writing and graphic design). The home office will need to fit a decent sized desk (I have a big Dell XPS computer), a full-sized filing cabinet, storage for work and home paperwork, owner’s manuals, software and music discs, a mail filing system, etc. It would also be nice if I had some wall space to display a bulletin board and white board.
The “nook” is 5′ deep, 7′ wide and I would like the desk to face out if possible (instead of being along the inside wall). I have a 2.5 year old as well as a baby due in two weeks so it would be nice to be able to keep an eye on what they’re up to while I get some work done.
Is that enough information for advice on how to design my space?
Your nook is about the same size as a closet and yes, you can do something great for a home office in that size. Consider these ideas for some inspiration:
http://keloconnell.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/closet-home-office.jpg
http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://images.containerstore.com/MEDIA/ProductCatalog/96016/PlatDriftElfaOfficeCloset_l.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml%3FCATID%3D77640%26PRODID%3D10020052&usg=__Tk-IpV8OYBiVVYDhHBp0IhNyy2M=&h=260&w=260&sz=15&hl=fr&start=2&tbnid=ZwnM-NOgzVy0DM:&tbnh=112&tbnw=112&prev=/images%3Fq%3Doffice%2Bin%2Bcloset%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Dfr
http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hamersleyfamily.com/studio/uploaded_images/elfaCraftCloset_xl-789491.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.hamersleyfamily.com/studio/2006_05_01_archive.html&usg=__eDxCCsy5W8hz9ySRBDob85zTN3k=&h=400&w=400&sz=35&hl=fr&start=7&tbnid=UFn48I9SPvYYDM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Doffice%2Bin%2Bcloset%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Dfr
Scroll down on this one:
http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://chicago.apartmenttherapy.com/images/uploads/11-28-07lackshelf9.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/shelving-storage/12-uses-for-ikeas-lack-shelves-037156&usg=__tUaLstJAAkJWPDAAWIwf6I5mm5Q=&h=403&w=300&sz=18&hl=fr&start=10&tbnid=f6MRGTnIM1llKM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=92&prev=/images%3Fq%3Doffice%2Bin%2Bcloset%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Dfr
This one being my favorite:
http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cbc.ca/stevenandchris/uploads/office_1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cbc.ca/stevenandchris/2008/11/decor_on_a_dime_home_office_1.html&usg=__sPwNcS5JpaDQZe_zl1OkXAl-xGw=&h=500&w=375&sz=67&hl=fr&start=20&tbnid=P7_1s8LRUs1bEM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=98&prev=/images%3Fq%3Doffice%2Bin%2Bcloset%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Dfr%26sa%3DN%26start%3D18
And how great can it get? With a 2.5 yr old around, you’ll be glad you have some doors on that home office 
Enjoy your new space! And remember, the success will be equal to how well you measure your space!
What’s This Thing Called White Space?