What should I decide first in a home office remodel?

A home office remodel is joinery plus a lighting plan. The desk becomes part of the wall, the storage goes vertical, and — since half the room's job is now being a background — the wall behind the chair gets as much thought as the one in front of it.

What goes wrong most often?

The desk facing a window, so the camera exposes for the light and the face goes dark. Shelving stopped at picture height, wasting the most useful storage in the room.

Will it work in a small home office?

In an alcove under 6ft wide, run the desk the full width and take the shelving to the ceiling above it. A freestanding desk in a small office wastes the two inches at each end that make it feel built-in.

Can I see it on my own home office before starting?

Yes — photograph the space and run it through the Studio. It is generated imagery, so compare the render against your photo rather than treating it as a plan.

Home Office Remodel Mistakes to Avoid

The failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one. Built-in desk, real storage, and a wall you can be seen against.

BeforeAfter

1
Mistake 1
The desk facing a window, so the camera exposes for the light and the face goes dark.
2
Mistake 2
Shelving stopped at picture height, wasting the most useful storage in the room.
3
Mistake 3
No cable route, so the back of the desk is the view from the doorway.
4
Mistake 4
A hard-surfaced room that echoes on every call.

Questions

What should I decide first in a home office remodel?: A home office remodel is joinery plus a lighting plan. The desk becomes part of the wall, the storage goes vertical, and — since half the room's job is now being a background — the wall behind the chair gets as much thought as the one in front of it.
What goes wrong most often?: The desk facing a window, so the camera exposes for the light and the face goes dark. Shelving stopped at picture height, wasting the most useful storage in the room.
Will it work in a small home office?: In an alcove under 6ft wide, run the desk the full width and take the shelving to the ceiling above it. A freestanding desk in a small office wastes the two inches at each end that make it feel built-in.
Can I see it on my own home office before starting?: Yes — photograph the space and run it through the Studio. It is generated imagery, so compare the render against your photo rather than treating it as a plan.

Home Office Remodel Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1

Mistake 2

Mistake 3

Mistake 4

Questions