BEFORE & AFTER: My Pretty and Colorful Basement Office Makeover
I feel like Mama just got a new apartment. This cluttered basement office makeover before and after was very uninspiring before I started, but is now a couple hundred of square feet of living space for my family me (sorry, family–mama needs a “she-cave.”)
I turned this boring, dreary basement into a pretty and colorful basement office! And if you think I bit off more than I could chew, you know what?
You’re right.
But if anyone could do it, it would be me! I love a good challenge.
Here’s how I tackled this cluttered basement office makeover and turned it from a cluttered space into a pretty office!
BEFORE
In the back section of the basement, to the left, sat our barely-used pool table, just taking up valuable space. We don’t do much entertaining (umm…..maybe because our basement was jacked up!!–ya think??), and I actually considered getting rid of it at the start of this basement makeover. But then I decided that if we just pulled it out into the main living area, I could use that space for my home office! The color needed to change. It was waaaayyy too dark. I wanted a “she-cave” not a masculine “man-cave“!
AFTER – Basement Office Makeover!
I pulled the pool table out into the main living area, brought down the TV from our bedroom to sit on top of the mid-century modern dresser I found at the thrift store. And I added same thrifted lamps, chairs, etc. I got the rug for FREE from Shaw Rugs at a blogging conference I went to one summer. (Ahhh….”free” sounds so good, doesn’t it? A rug like this would cost at least a couple hundred).
AFTER!!!!
As you walk back towards the pool table, you start to see a tiny peek of my basement office area! I added a long Ikea Hugad curtain rod and used a couple shower curtains folded in half to frame out the entrance to my basement office. I already had them on hand so I didn’t have to buy those.
Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
When you look head-on into my basement office, this is what it looks like!
It’s officially my Thrift Diving Headquarters now!
I feel like I suddenly have this little apartment to myself down here (sans bathroom), but hey–who’s complaining??!
And here’s what’s amazing–it’s quiet!!!
I can escape the ruckus from my three boys, and retreat to total silence to work (until they come down, that is… LOL).
Basement Office Makeover BEFORE and AFTER!
Below is how my basement office looked for a majority of the makeover. I was so unfocused and a bit overwhelmed. I didn’t know which way was UP or DOWN. And I was running out of time. AND PAINT!
BEFORE
Feeling Overwhelmed
I felt like I was just shifting things from this place to that place, with no real progress. I didn’t know where I wanted to start or what needed to be done when and how.
(Psssst…If you’re feeling overwhelmed with your room makeover, too, enter your name and emil to download my free room makeover Journal packet and learn how to make a DIY journal notebook out of scrapbook paper so you can track your room makeover projects. You’ll get the free download printable with pages for tracking progress!).
But I knew the first thing I wanted to do was to stencil my logo on the wall using a projector that I bought from the thrift store (for only $7.00!).
Related: How to Clean Up at Thrift Store: How to Thrift
I had decided that the pink and orange from my logo would be my inspiration for the room.
I wanted to keep the middle wall relatively clear from pictures and stuff because this is where I’ll be able to shoot my videos for my YouTube channel (while having the logo in the background). I’ll be able to easily move the card catalog out of the way if necessary.
BEFORE
AFTER!
The left side houses my desk created from thrifted file cabinets and a heavy thrifted top. The whole desk cost a whopping $17.00 :). Because they aren’t the same style and height, I will have to add a piece of wood to the right cabinet to fill in the gap. For now, it works :).
Under the shelf, I added Ikea KLUDD glass noticeboards that a friend gave me a couple years ago. Perfect for taking notes.
The Desk
As I showed you in more detail in another post, this is how I made a desk from file cabinets and what it looked like before getting my hands on it:
BEFORE
AFTER!
I found the lamp at the thrift store last week (the one sitting on the pink file cabinets) and it was too good to pass up! Apparently, lamps like this cost about $120. Mine?? Oh, just a measly $7.50 :).
I already had the magazine rack. I bought that probably a couple years ago, for $7.00, too! (Everything is $7.00 at my thrift store!).
The colorful small rug is from Home Goods, bought a couple years ago.
Pink DIY Whiteboard
In December, I also made a DIY whiteboard like the one I did for my Mom, and it will be perfect for keeping track of my daily blog and family activities.
On the right side of the room, I really wanted a seating area where I could do crafts. I also wanted a place for the kids to sit and work on something while I’m working on the computer. Sometimes my 3-year old will sit here and play cars :). (That’s a spoon hanging out of his mouth). LOL
(Don’t you love my stenciled jewelry box? If you’re looking for other uses for jewelry boxes, you’ll love my jewelry box repurposed into craft storage!)
To create the pegboard, I found the frame last year on the side of the road and hoarded it in my garage until the perfect time came to use it.
Well, now is the time :). The pegboard I found at a salvage shop for mere pennies, literally.
DIY Chain Wall Art!
I love chains.
For the longest time, I wanted to do something with chains. But I wasn’t inspired.
Until now.
BEFORE
AFTER!!
Why not create DIY chain wall art?? This is the perfect way to add some uniqueness to your walls! The home improvement stores sell chain by the foot and will cut it for you. I chose 8-foot. (And the best part is that I’ve never seen this done before, so yay!!! Originality is so hard today, isn’t it? LOL).
This space is for one thing: CREATING. So spelling out “Create” was perfect! Although, at times it looks like “Creste” but hey–who’s complaining?
The yellow stool I already owned. I couldn’t decide what color to use. I wanted something to “POP.”
BEFORE
AFTER!
The Rug
Do you know how expensive rugs are?? Ohhhh, I’m sure you do. My first attempt at warming up these floors was a total bust (more on that in the follow-up details).
Lesson learned: sometimes you just need to go to Ikea and buy what you need. LOL
And that’s what I did.
BEFORE
AFTER!
I bought 6 of these Ikea Hulsig rugs for $14.99 each and laid them together to create one big almost 12′ x 12′ rug for–miraculously–only about $90. They already had the rubber backing, so no need to lay a no-skid rug pad underneath! They stay together pretty well, with very little maneuvering, and now my feet are shielded from the cold basement floor! I honestly don’t think I could have warmed the floor for any cheaper than that.
I already owned the lamp (Home Goods).
The DIY stenciled pillows were really easy, too.
It’s not the most comfortable chair, but for now, it can just look pretty :).
My Desk Chair!
I should call this chair “The Chair That Drove Me Crazy“! It’s one of the things that held me up in completing this makeover. I have done a few reupholster projects, but nothing like this. This thing required cutting out small pieces and then sewing them all together around the curves. I break out in hives just thinking about it. Thank goodness for streaming online programs. It kept my sanity while piecing this together. I was almost ready to smash it up. Or photoshop a finished chair. HA!
BEFORE
AFTER!
My husband actually doesn’t like this chair much. He says my choice of fabric was all wrong. I say he’s wrong! I understand it’s not as luxurious as the “before” fabric, but it’s what I had on hand.
My husband also critiqued my decision to use brass-colored furniture tacks.
Okay, yes, shiny silver ones would have been nice, but you know what?? I already had a crap-load left from my thrifted vintage chair makeover from a box of, like, 1000 tacks, and I wanted to put them to good use.
The vintage drafting table is thrifted! I got it a few years ago for–GASP!–$30, and it’s really worth about $300. The other white stool–you guessed it: thrifted for $10, and I already owned. I reupholstered it. And the white plant holder I already had ($3) was thrifted, too, and holds cans of pens and markers and stuff.
The Shelf!
This is an area I struggled with: what to put over the desk??
I didn’t want to spend a lot of money. And I didn’t have scrap wood around already.
Miraculously, I found what I needed at the ReStore here in Silver Spring. Just my luck, they had three big 6-foot boards for a total of $5.00! WOO HOO! And the brackets were $0.50 each from Ikea. I used three brackets.
Everything you see up there on the shelf (except for the basket) came from the thrift store!
Even the candy machine is thrifted (and great for my late night blogging cravings, which is why I look like I’m pregnant, but that’s a post for another day…..).
I already had everything on hand, though, except the magazine files.
And the black desk lamp was $3.00 (already owned).
The only things not thrifted in this pic above are my Apple iMac (27″ baby….I will spend a lot on computers and gadgets, but never home decor!!!), and the printer, which I already had both.
When you look out from my office, you see the pool table:
You also see the living area from here.
That’s the space I didn’t really get to finish yet (which is why I only have two pictures in the wall collage. LOL.
AFTER
But considering what it looked like before, it looks freaking AMAZINGLY clean and organized! I can walk through without stumbling over furniture! WOO HOO!
Later, I added in this pretty pink repurposed IKEA kitchen cart which I upcycled into a command center. It holds files for tax receipts, envelopes, stamps, staples, etc.
BEFORE
I had all these frames on hand (all thrifted, thank you very much!). I painted them all black and started trying to find pictures to put in them. I’m still not sure what I want to fill them with, so this will be done later.
I got the sconces from a seller for $10 each. The pink wall art is just a 2’x2′ piece of drywall that I stenciled. I borrowed pillows from another room, too.
AFTER
The banquet was also thrifted. I painted the banquet with leftover Beyond Paint Off-White from when I painted that pretty china cabinet.
The table was given to me by an old co-worker. I’ll probably strip it and re-stain it.
Related: How to Strip Furniture and Stain It: A Complete Guide
This is the view from the pool table and gives you an idea of how uncluttered the space is now!
I still have furniture in this living area to refinish, or to exchange for something else. I have lamps to paint. Shades to decorate. Pillows to reupholster. Lots to do!
Again, everything is thrifted :).
UPDATED: I have since stripped and refinished this mid-century modern dresser! I had some problems with refinishing it, which you can read in the post.
And Last But Definitely Not Least…
This is the first thing I wanted people to see when they enter the basement: a statement about who I am and what this space is all about.
Here are details on how I created this DIY wall art.
COSTS TO DO THIS ROOM
1. Ikea HUGAD Curtain Rod – $7.41
2. IKEA HUGAD curtain rod wall mounts – (2 ea) – $2.10
3. IKEA curtain clips 9 (1 pack) – $5.29
4. File cabinets from the thrift store – $14.82
5. Desk top from Community Forklift – $1.76
6. American chalky paint from Home Depot – approx. $9.00
7. Magazine holders from thrift store (2) – $2.35
8. Wooden magazine holder from thrift store – $3.17
9. Lamp on pink file cabinet from thrift store – $7.95
10. Scrap wood for desk shelf from the ReStore – $1.59
11. Ikea EKBY brackets for shelf (3 x $0.50 ea) – $1.59
12. Chain for wall art – $10.93
13. Pegboard – $5.30 (for the whole huge piece although I only used a small piece of it)
14. Nails from Home Depot – $3.43
15. Sample pink paint from Sherwin Williams – $5.19
16. Sample oragne paint from Sherwin Williams – $5.19
17. IKEA rugs for floor – $95.34
18. Wall anchors from Home Depot – $5.56
19. Furniture staples – $2.93
20. Photo box – $2.12
21. Canvas from the thrift store – $15.89
22. 1 gallon of semi-gloss Behr (Snow Bound) for walls – approx $35
23. 1 gallon of turquoise semi-gloss Behr (Balmy Seas) – approx. $35
Total Cost for the Basement = $278.91*
*I’m not counting any item I didn’t specifically buy for the makeover, including furniture or crafting supplies I already had on hand. I consider that stuff “FREE,” shopped from my house :).
This Post Is Soooo Long, But I Have to Say THIS…
It doesn’t take is a lot of money to transform a space. Time?? Yes. But not money. 🙂
If you ever doubt you can turn around a space in your house, remember this room. And then sign up for my next room makeover challenge, which I do a couple times per year.
Now I would LOVE to know what you think of my new basement office makeover!!!!! Leave a comment below and let me know!!
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Love it! You are a girl after my own heart!
Serena,
I am familiar with Silver Springs. I had a relative who lived there but has since moved. You find the greatest deals. You have a great eye for design and you have a business mind. I am watching you grow into your own happy place while excelling at a passion you love. Thanks for encouraging me as you share your journey.
Happy Creating,
Karen Marie
You did an awesome job! You can be proud of yourself. I am with your husband on the chair, not the fabric so much as I think it would look better painted white or light grey or even black. But it is not my space it is yours..You keep mentioning a wooden magazine rack, but I don’t see it. Maybe I am blind but could you point out where it is? Again, great job!
Serena, I’ve been anxiously awaiting your post and the big reveal. Fabulous! I love reading about your process, and the stories that go with each piece, the setbacks, the day to day with the boys…it all makes it feel real and doable and fun.
I applaud you for finding such an affordable and fun way to redo this amazing space. I love that you’ll be able to share it with your family, but still have a place to work and call your own.
Your little guy wrapped up under the paper is precious. I remember the “fort” days well.
My favorite touches: your creative use of your blog logo on the wall, the shower curtains folded in half (great idea), the use of dove grey to unite the pieces and the way it all flows together. Pat yourself on the back!
Thanks, Alys! I know, I’m sorry I was so late with posting! I stole an extra week because I just couldn’t get it all done (I still have things left to do). And I surely couldn’t post with half the fabric hanging off the chair. LOL. Thanks for being patient!
I love hearing about what you liked best in the room!! Thanks for letting me know this! 🙂
All I can say is “You Blew This Out The Box!!!” Excellent, excellent, excellent!
Thank you, Jamala! 🙂 I was really worried for a long time that I wouldn’t! LOL
Awesome job Serena! You have great pieces, I love the mid-century dresser, the drafting table, red chair and the chair you recovered. Lovely and great space for any woman.
Thank you, Vanessa! I love the QUIIIIEEETTT!!!! 🙂 It feels like “MY” space, even though my family is totally welcomed. It feels like mine. 🙂 I’ve never had a space all to my self before. Well, maybe a college dorm room once….for like, a year. LOL
Looks great !! You have such a good eye!! LOVE< LOVE LOVE your work!!!
Awww….thank you, Kathy!!
Hi Serena…..Monica Chi here. You did an awesome job on your basement. Now you have an official headquarters girl!!! Yay!!! I love, love your logo on the wall. Other than that, I think my favorite parts are your desk and the rugs that you put together. Now we have to get some pictures of you working in your space. You are definitely official now! Congratulations…you are on your way up!
Okay, I’ll have to get hubby to take some, or set up my tripod to get me included in the pic! 🙂 Thanks for the support, Monica!!!
BRAVO. IT LOOKS FANTASTIC. AND ALL FOR LESS THAN 300.00.
Thank you, Georgetta! Even after I get done with the stairs, reupholstering, and stripping of the mod dresser TV stands, I think I should still be under $400!
Just Fantastic! Who would know you used stuff on hand instead of planning it all out ahead of time. I think your reupholstered desk chair looks fabulous — I love the grey and white fabric. The brass tacks are fine too, if they bothered you after awhile you could try just coloring them with a silver metallic sharpie marker — that would be cheap and and you would not need to remove the tacks, but like I said I think it looks great as is! I have three suggestions — maybe move the small floral rug from in front of the card catalog and place it instead at an angle at the foot of your red chair for extra foot cushioning. Also, you could add castors to the legs to the card catalog to make it easier to move out of the way for filming ( I have seen lots of inexpensive castors at the Restore). Thirdly, you can paint the registers with the wall paint or the trim paint color to blend them in nicely. Okay, so moving on. You pulled off the desk area brilliantly; I could not tell that the file cabinets were not a set. The shelving looks great AND practical. All the little colorful touches make this space so interesting and unique; such a great reflection of you as a person! Congrats on all your hard work, it paid off! (I also agree with a previous commenter that the round table is just fine with the corner bench; plus your kids won’t be gashing their cute heads on the corners when they play around it.) Fun Fun Fun space for lots of creativity!!!
Oh man, you said that right–I planned very little of this space! It was exciting finding stuff around the house and garage that I already owned!! Great tips on the rug, heater, and tacks! And I’m sooooo taking your advice on the castors for the card catalog! I didn’t think of that! And I had considered painting the heaters, but wasn’t sure if the paint was appropriate if I decide to one day use the heaters. Right now I don’t. But I didn’t know if I should use an oil based or if latex was okay. Any idea?
Thanks, Beth!!!