Like a lot of homes ours has an office at the front of the house. It’s one of the first rooms you see when you walk in making a first impression to those walking in. So I was excited to transform it. I loved designing the space to feel a bit more formal than the rest of the house. Complete with a gorgeous chandelier and an accent wall with moulding and beautiful Carolina Gull by Benjamin Moore paint.
But not long after the small project was complete, I started wishing for a dedicated play space for our soon-to-be toddler. The only space we really had was the office. But I was determined not to give up my beautiful office we had just completed! So with just a few modifications, I set out to transform the space into a calm, sophisticated office. As well as a functional playroom we could use after work and on the weekends. Here’s how I transformed a relatively small space into both a formal office and playroom.
Getting A Moveable Desk Was Key
I wanted my desk to be in the middle of the room. That way I wouldn’t be staring at a wall all day and would have the accent wall in my background on video calls. The only way this was feasible was getting a moveable desk on wheels. This ended up working out great! Not only do I move the desk from the center of the room, but I actually wheel it just a few feet into the large closet we have in the room. Putting the desk away most nights and weekends only takes a couple of minutes. This makes the room so much more childproof – not having to worry about kids pulling my monitor or computer down, tripping over cords, or playing with pens.
I got this moveable, slim desk from Wayfair which has been perfect. Not only can I move the desk, but it also easily converts into a standing desk.
Office & Playroom Storage
For storage in our office & playroom, I went with a pretty piece from Pottery Barn Kids that hides the toys and books and keeps them organized so everything has a spot and it’s easy to clean up. I love that it has rounded edges as well which gives me peace of mind. While I love the beautiful handwoven bins on top I decided to save a little bit of money by only getting two of these pottery barn cubbies and finding some cheaper options for the bottom shelf. I like how it turned out!
- Shelf from Pottery Barn
- Pottery Barn Natural Bin
- White, Tan Set of 3 Bins from Amazon
In addition to the shelving, I got a large, personalized checkered bin from Crate & Kids. It’s perfect for holding a large number of smaller toys and stuffed animals.
Making The Room Comfortable
I wanted the space for my son to play in to be comfortable, especially since we have hardwood floors. So we went with a plush rug and also got the highly recommended Nugget couch. It’s very entertaining for our boy. And it’s been nice to have in the room for us adults sitting in the space during play time. It’s perfect for reading books and of course making forts. This is the Nugget couch we went with which I think brings some more fun color to the space. We opted for the Surfside color.
Here are a few more things in our playroom with links:
- Neutral toddler slide (white and grey) – tons of fun and neutral. It doesn’t stand out when the room is functioning as an office
- Crate & Kids Checkered Storage Floor Bin – it’s a bit pricey but it matched the room so well I splurged.
- Little Bear Cave Banner on Etsy – was looking for something cute and playful for this wall. Love it and plan to maybe add some more bear themed decorations to the wall eventually.
This room was so fun to design and has worked really well for our family! If you’re looking for ways to make your office space into a dual purpose room, I hope this was helpful. If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave a message. Thanks for reading!
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