Home office with no window

3 years ago

We have a small home office in the middle of our bungalow. It has no windows. The staircase to the loft is also in here. It leads into a light filled kitchen which we thought would be enough to light up this small room. We also had a light tunnel fitted. We cant magic a window but how do we decorate it? At the moment it feels unusable but there are some lovely elements to it such as the 20's fireplace. Any ideas?

Featured Answer

Zat Toos
Original Author

3 years ago

Went for a dark paper and love it.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (27)

Zat Toos
Original Author
3 years ago
This is the other side. It is a walk through from the hall to the kitchen.
Jules Mc
3 years ago
What do you want/need to use the room for?
Related Discussions
En Suite Window facing front of house
Q
Comments (5)
Hi Isobel, Could you add an obscured film to the window instead? I would have thought that this would be fine with planning as it's removable. I'm assuming that the planning restriction is because you're in a conservation area? The films come in different finishes, I've had a fairly successful go at applying a sandblasted one. There are specialist companies that will do it for you though
...See More
window colour advice, bay windows, wet pebble dash
Q
Comments (11)
This might sound a bit like being on the fence given the advice you've had already... How about a mid to dark grey ( less contrast than black), RAL 7022 is a favourite of mine (warmer grey), or look at a green grey, as something that will have the colour of the olive, with a good amount of contrast against the white render, (you won't have the warm rich colours of the brickwork as in the photos above (which the olive looks good against)). If you are painting the timber windows you would do well to look at microporous opaque stains to reduce your on-going maintenance. A benefit of aluclad composite windows is colour outside can be factory supplied different to the interior finish. Hope this might help. Regards, Nick
...See More
Window treatments for new build coastal home
Q
Comments (0)
We have recently built a new house in Carrigart Co Donegal with great views Having difficults with window treatments to maximise the views
...See More
Different color windows on old house vs contemporary extension
Q
Comments (0)
hi All, I’m looking for advice on window colors. we’re doing a contemporary flat roof extension to the side & rear of a 1930’s house. We’re having a debate with our architect on what color windows to choose for the existing house & the new extension. does anyone have any advice on having chalk windows on the existing house & dark grey on the extension? I like chalk but our architect says it will be too bland on the flat roof extension which will be in a white cream render. thanks
...See More
Zat Toos
Original Author
3 years ago
A good question. We dont need it for dining or as a lounge. Maybe a craft room (hence the sewing machine) or office. Tried putting the table where the little sofa is and my husband used it for a while but it looked so messy.
Zat Toos
Original Author
3 years ago
The cats also sleep in there at night!!
Jules Mc
3 years ago
I think you need some expert advice on colour. I think I would go for some warmer tones but I hope colourhappy sees this as she has excellent knowledge in this area.

A craft room will still look messy unless you can conceal it away when not working. I'd never use a desk under a staircase to sew or work. However, I would use a lovely lit up drinks cabinet 😂

Will look for some inspiration pics to see if any look 'doable' for you
Jules Mc
3 years ago
I can't attach the link from the Houzz app but if you search for Help! Cluttered living room, Sonia shared some great ideas for concealed desks that could be put away to hide the clutter (for your husband or your crafts?)
You might not then have room for the sofa but maybe one comfortable armchair. Is it likely two of you will sit in their in favour of somewhere else in the house anyway?

Am still liking that understairs area for the following as well -
Zat Toos
Original Author
3 years ago
Love the idea for bar under the stairs. We wont both the office together. I can easily put my sewing stuff away. Just laziness leaves it out. I found this for desk area. What do you think?
Zat Toos
Original Author
3 years ago
Would a dark wall soak up light in an already dark room though??
CV Barny
3 years ago
Can you put an opaque window in to ‘steal’ light from the kitchen but maintain privacy?
Zat Toos
Original Author
3 years ago
No as the kitchen units are on that wall!
Jules Mc
3 years ago
,
Jules Mc
3 years ago
I think it depend what you really do end up 'doing' in the room. I love that really dark wall and usually like to embrace the dark look but if I was sewing, working, crafting etc in there, I think I'd end up moving to a lighter space?

How badly do you need this space to work for you as usable space? Because a lovely dark snug type space, that looks great, cosy and tidy when you walk through as frequently as you do, plus, is lovely to sit in occasionally, and (a lovely bedroom for the cats 😊) is different than a room you're trying to make into a functional space and using much more often. Does that make sense?
Zat Toos
Original Author
3 years ago
Yes it does. I can happily sew and work elsewhere so it's not desperate to have it set up as an office. As we walk through it many times a day I'd rather it look gorgeous as it will lift my spirits. Hate it when its messy. Cant just shut it off.
Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
Thanks Jules Mc, these spaces are really difficult. My take on it is that when there is little or no natural light, things look 'flat'. This means that mid toned sludgy greyed out colours (that look alive in light filled spaces) struggle to have an impact. The solution can often be to put in cleaner more saturated colours. This doesn't necessarily mean to go really garish, nor does it mean to go too dark. However, I would go deliberately dark in the under stairs area, perhaps put in a low wide blanket box and team it with a brightly glazed lamp. A colour such as Indian Yellow are good for breaking through gloomy spaces. If you click on the link below you can see how it pairs well with other colours such as Moles Breath and even Railings which would work under the stairs. I would consider a mid toned saturated colour and an even darker one for the under stairs area. Hope this helps.

https://www.farrow-ball.com/paint-colours/india-yellow
Zat Toos
Original Author
3 years ago
We like the idea of darkening up the under stairs area and going really bold. Think we will keep the seating and change the wall colour with lots of pictures. We painted it pale grey thinking it would lighten the area but maybe we should just embrace the coziness and make it more quirky instead.
Jules Mc
3 years ago
Yes under the stairs would be lovely bold with some nice lighting
Have you gotc got a socket under the stairs for a nice lamp there?
Zat Toos
Original Author
3 years ago
Yes we have. I'll be on the lookout for a nice unit now to use as a bar. Could listen to music in there??
Sonia
3 years ago
I’ve always been a fan or greens and blues, but lately I’ve been loving yellow in all its hues, just as colourhappy has suggested. What could be cosier? It goes beautifully with other shades too as well as simple whites. I rather like F&B Hay too. As far as the desk goes, you can get desks in a cupboard rather like the old fashioned, but beautiful, bureaus, if you decide on an office there. The fact that everything is shut away at the end of the day, keeps everything tidy. I do rather like the idea of a drinks area! Here’s some ideas which you may love, or not, as you please.
C D
3 years ago
Looks lovely ! Well done!
What did you do for the rest of the room?
Zat Toos
Original Author
3 years ago
We papered the chimney too. We now have a drinks trolley in there. Just waiting for a chair to come. Ill add a photo when it arrives. Feels like it has a purpose. Like a bar area. We are so glad we did it.
Vicky Pow
3 years ago
I love it!
janet_allen8
3 years ago
It looks stunning! Totally transforms the room. Yes please to more pics!
Holly Grand
3 years ago
It depends on what you use the room for, but in my case, children even decorated the office with balloons. It looks cool when the room has soft light and simple furniture. There are a lot of cool ideas.
Jules Mc
3 years ago
Looks lovely. Huge improvement!
Zat Toos
Original Author
3 years ago
What a difference a bit of wallpaper and a new chair makes.
C D
3 years ago
Love it 😍