One Room Challenge Work From Home Office Design

Last Updated on September 27, 2023

ERMERGERD! Did you hear? I’m a featured designer in the Spring One Room Challenge and couldn’t be more excited about it. I’ve participated in the ORC twice as a guest participant…the first was my home office in the old house. When I look back five years ago, I srsly ask myself, what on earth were you thinking? The first One Room Challenge was a boho, indigo, and rattan explosion. The second time around was Potty Paradise which is still one of my favorite rooms in the house.

The Design Plan One Room Challenge Week 1

Before we jump into the design, I’ve listed and linked to all the Spring ORC (sponsored by Better Homes and Gardens) featured designers at the bottom of this post. Carve out some time in the next few days to grab a cup of coffee (or a mimosa) and check out their beautiful designs. Trust me; it’s worth it. Oh, and one more thing, I’ll post a weekly update of the room here, on Instagram, and TikTok for the next seven weeks before reaching the finish line.

RELATED: See the final reveal of the One Room Challenge modern home office and gym renovation here.

When Linda Weinstein from One Room Challenge reached out a couple of months ago to ask if I’d like to be a featured designer, I freaked out, did a jig, and replied in 2 seconds flat. Yes. Yes. Yes. I want in! After 24 hours of intense contemplation, I decided to give my work home office another go…this time in the new house. Since we moved in 4 years ago, my office has been a space where furniture floats in and out, but nothing ever sticks. I’ve rotated the desk, sofa, coffee table, and cabinet around and around to the point where even The Boy asked, “Wasn’t it just like this a couple of months ago?” 

RELATED: ORC Week 2! It’s demo time and we’re ripping out the carpet to make room for the new tile flooring.

Ummmm, yes, yes, it was. Don’t question it. It was necessary. It just wasn’t right…again. Being that I spend most of my time in this space, I want it to feel more welcoming and cozy…not cluttered and chaotic. My office looks like this for photoshoots only. More often than not, it’s a dumping ground for sourced merchandise for the vintage shop waiting to be cleaned, processed, and styled. Yup, I work in flea market junklandia…don’t judge. A soothing work environment and interior designer dream office it is not. This is real life people. 

RELATED: Well the One Room Challenge is determined to show me how difficult it can be. We are locked down in a worldwide pandemic. Awesome. Here’s what’s transpired during ORC Week 3.

One Room Challenge Before Photo

Pre-House of Hipsters, my home office was the master bedroom for the previous home owners before the addition they built about 10 years ago. It has French doors, a vaulted ceiling, and spectacular afternoon light. What used to be the walk-in closet became their home gym and a storage room pre-brick and mortar for me. But once I opened the shop, storage was no longer needed, and this space became a room for vintage decor that had not made it through processing, and my Peloton bike was chucked in there. Hmmmm, could this storage space become a home gym again? Interesting thought.

RELATED: Whoa, time is flying by and we are half way to the finish line. Check out the ORC design progress.

When it’s clean, this is my office. It looks beautiful…in photos. The existing gray sofa is entirely too long, but I use it daily to get away from my desk. It’s the perfect spot to curl up for a conference call. A loveseat would make for much better use of the space. The art has been moved downstairs to the front room and has been joined by the horn table and Sonneman lollipop lamp. Told ya, nothing sticks around in here. The brass rams head coffee table (one of my favorite things) was swapped out for the woven black bench shown in the above photo. Again, just too big for the space. I did love this look, though.

RELATED: It’s crunch time! See the Week 6 design progress.

One Room Challenge Weekly Progress Update 

Design decisions must be made, so what’s the plan? Rather than chucking in what I think might work or shopping the house, I created a room layout…the graphic design janky version of an architectural blueprint…but a design plan all the same. Everything is scaled down with accurate sizing of the windows, doors…the whole shebang. I wanted this room design to be completely original and from my brain only, so there are zero, zip, zilch as far as inspiration photos. 

Wait, what about that home gym Kyla? Don’t worry, I didn’t forget that, but there’s not as much to that space. Imma wing it sans plan. So, without further ado, I present to you my Spring One Room Challenge mood boards…woah, woah, wait up…I forgot something.

If you want sneaky peeks of the final One Room Challenge reveal before ANYONE else sees it, I have the key that unlocks the insider scoop. Sign up for my newsletter…don’t worry, I won’t spam you…this gal ain’t got no time for that. It comes out sporadically (I’m trying to get better at it), but you WILL get the room reveal deets first. Pinky swear.

ORC Week One Mood Board Initial Design

The first week is all about mood boards. Design enthusiasts, are you ready for this jelly? 

This Year’s One Room Challenge Sponsors

1. Apt2B Furniture – the round coffee table with storage in the gym
2. Blueprint Lighting – this light fixture is the pièce de résistance. 
3. Couristan Rug – I’m obsessed with the neutrals color variation.
4. Emtek Hardware – marble lever handles for the French doors
5. Hudson Valley Lighting – both light fixtures
6. Overstock Furniture – modern sofa, accent tables, desk, basically all the furniture for the entire space. 
7. Pacific Designs International Wallpaper – no paint color to be chosen because I’m going all in on the wallpaper
8. The Tile Shop Flooring – this room makeover will have all-new flooring

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

RELATED: There’s only 1 week left to go before the final reveal! Here’s the weekly design update.

One Room Challenge Complete Source List 

Lotus Pendant Light

Modern Gold Chairs 

Wood and Brass Accent Table no longer available

​Neutral Rug

Fringey Lamp

Vintage Brass and Smoked Glass Table – to be used as a desk

Transforming The Storage Room Into A Home Gym

This home gym is not a place for the bro. Thou shalt not slam weights on the porcelain tile. No sir. This is going to be a girly gym. Yoga zen, meets meditation spin bike with resistant bands kinda gym. Oh, and that black wall tile is so killer cool. I can’t wait to mount this lamp on it! Yes, that’s a freakin’ lamp!

I will also feature a very special painting from Tony Curry, who I met through my PPP Loan post when he dropped a comment. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with. If you’re unfamiliar with his artwork, please check out his website. I’ve been a fan of his for a couple of years now, and I’m over the moon to be working with him.

Phew! Do you love the designs? Would you change anything? Maybe even a little bit? Are you still with me? I know; this was a long one. Next week, I promise to source all the furniture and decor (more final touches to be made to this room design) and post progress photos, but this week’s accomplishments have me bushed and ready for bed. Yes, I’m legit finishing this post minutes before the deadline. Wish me luck, and be sure to visit all my fellow One Room Challenge designers, and don’t forget about the guest designers / ORC participants. We have a long way to go, but I promise there will be beautiful photos and creative ideas to come, so keep checking back because you don’t want to miss the big reveal! 

Check Out These Talented Designers Featured In The Spring One Room Challenge 

A Glass of Bovino | Beginning in the Middle | Beth Diana Smith | Clark + Aldine | Coco & Jack 

Deeply Southern Home | Design Maze | Dwell by Cheryl | Erika Ward | Home Made by Carmona 

House of Hipsters | Hunted Interior | Kandrac & Kole | Kate Pearce | Katrina Blair | Liz Kamarul 

Veneer Designs | Rambling Renovators | Renovation Husbands | Studio Plumb | Media Partner BH&G 

More Home Decor Ideas and Interior Design Inspiration

​Check out these clever ways to decorate with art in your home. 

Try these art gallery wall ideas on a blank wall in your living room.

If the trending Anthropologie mirror is out of your budget, try these lookalikes.

Rounding up my personal favorite interior design books that I refer back to over and over again.

If you have an empty corner in a room, fill it with a fake olive tree or a fake fiddle leaf fig tree. It’s such an easy solution. And if you’re looking for more faux plants that look real, check that round-up as well!

If you’re looking for a new area rug, here’s how to choose the best size rug for a living room.

Transition your room from summer to fall with these affordable velvet curtains.

Add a bit of sparkle to your living room with these clever ideas on decorating with disco balls.

I teamed up with Lutron to test the best smart home devices. Here’s my favorite smart lighting for your home. Also, here are a few wireless smart lightbulbs.