Affordable Renter-Friendly Home Office Makeover

This home office was created by carving out a corner of the living room using a dividing wall with open shelving that was made from IKEA bookcases. While functional, it was time for a change in decor and a reorientation of the desk. See the details of this affordable renter-friendly home office makeover in this EngineerYourSpace video:

The renovation started by clearing everything out of the space. Using painters tape to section off the wall, the upper wall was painted a light gray. Simple MDF molding was installed on the dividing line to create a wainscoting effect.

A multi-purpose wall panel that houses a white board was built from 1 x 2’s and 1/4-inch plywood. It incorporates a track for a barn door that can easily slide back and forth to cover up the white board, and it sits on legs that support the weight of the panel. The top of the panel is attached to the wall with brackets so that it can hold the weight of the barn door. A shelf with a track was installed at the bottom to prevent the panel from swinging back and forth.

The new desk was built from plywood and 2 x 4’s and trimmed with metal and faux gold gems that hide the nail heads. The desk was attached perpendicularly to the bookcase, providing an extension of the work surface. A new pendant light with smart LED lighting completes the space.