WFH & My DIY Workspace

Ah, Covid-19, you b*. I’ve been stuck in this house for 46,890 days with no end in sight. Sure our government says it is safe to come out, work, and stimulate the economy while those same government institutions remain closed for their safety. This administration is trash. So basically, more unsurprising news. Y’all can go on and open. I will find ways to not go stir crazy in my very tiny ‘cozy’ space.

When I first moved here, this was the least expensive (though still over budget) and the nicest looking in the area I wanted to be in. Unfortunately, it is only two bedrooms. I set up the bedrooms for my kids and I made due. The first few months I slept on the couch and yes, my back still hurts from it. I then split the large master into a split room and it’s ok for now. All of it was okay, for now. This was suppose to be just a 15-month lease. Now, I am kind of stuck here. So I have to make due once again and get creative. More on that later, because of baby steps, time, and budget. But something I needed immediately was an office nook. The dining room table/ craft table/homework table/ office wasn’t working. My pretty table has taken a beating and it is such a pain to pick up everything in the middle of the day, eat, put everything back etc. So I needed a space in my tiny space for the tiniest amount of money. I looked at converting a closet but I can’t afford to lose a closet so one out in the living area would have to do. After browsing desks that fit the space (super ugly), or that were in the somewhat affordable (made out of cardboard), I jokingly told a friend that I had $50 to work with. And that was that. I gave myself a challenge. I started with this student desk I found on Facebook Market place for $30, the bulk of my budget.

I love the vintage feel, I’m big on vintage but I wanted a more modern update. So after creating a mood board, I picked up a can of black spray paint with a satin finish ($4) and a can of a high gloss topcoat ($4) that I’ve never used before but I wanted the paint job to last. FYI, you have to let each coat dry fully. I was so excited that I put stuff on it once I thought it was dry so I had to sand, redo, and let it sit in the garage for a whole week. It truly was a test to my patience. I love instant gratification, DIY is not instant. So, now I only had $12 for anything else. Styling would have to come from shopping in my own home.

I’ve had this vase since 2006 and dry eucalyptus hanging elsewhere. While I may want to do something else with it later, this will do for now.

This makeup cup took too much counter space in my bathroom and so it was sitting in the cabinet. Too pretty to be kept behind closed doors, it makes the perfect container for brushes, pens, etc.

I know myself so well that I am aware that open shelving and I would not mesh if I even so much as have 2-3 busy days in a row. Being organized does not come naturally for me and I have to dedicate days to constantly edit to keep my spaces well maintained. While I’ve been good about it, I didn’t want the extra work. So this bin, that held extra cleaning supplies in the laundry room (since now condensed) helps house cords (in an old plant pot), and supplies. It’s a bit small but will also do for now.

My favorite piece, the pinboard. My daughter and I went live on my IG over a week ago to show how we put this together using an old picture frame, an old shirt, and packing tape. It took less than 10 minutes and I can change the fabric whenever I want.

I needed a chair that was small enough but comfy and added a bit of color. This may not work for everyone but I sit at the edge of my seat so I don’t need a back, this stool I use by my couch, when I’m working I can just move back and forth. Remember, I’m creating a space for me, not the ‘gram so this works for me, adjust your budget if you need a chair or bring one over from the dining room. I just didn’t want more furniture and lose more floor space.

Eventually, I did have to buy something. I needed a file cabinet but the ones I liked were not only expensive but very ‘officey’. Yes, that is a word. No, don’t look it up, let’s just move on. I found this at Target for $19.99, however, when it rang up it was just $16.99. I can put it in the closet so save on floor space but if it must be out, it blends well with the decor. So technically I went over budget by $5 but still not bad.

So, what do you think?