What to do with this space?

[thewatcherisme]

This was meant to be my office space when I bought my new flat. As you can see it has become a dumping ground, as I'm back back in the office full time at the moment.

I do intend to clear it out and get back to using it when I eventually get the chance to hybrid work.

In the meantime, I'm wondering what to do to separate it off from my living room?

I don't think I want a full door on it. So do i put a nice curtain pole and voile panel over it? Or buy a folding divider that I can put across it when not in use? Something that I can maybe attach string lights to? Is that ridiculous?

Any suggestions welcome!

Expensive but a glass door?

ps I love the blue? What colour/brand is that?

A folding door? I think a curtain might look a bit too studenty, or like you are trying to hide a cupboard full of crap!

Why don’t you want a door? Because that’s a door frame and it looks as if the door has been taken off….a solid door would be a lot more heat efficient if that’s a concern. If you don’t want the door to need too much opening space, could you fit either a folding door or a double door ? I had one between a kitchen and dining room, it took up less space and looked rather smart ( it had panels).

Is it very dark in there? Could you just put a normal door on it? I think a screen will look like it's only there until you decide what you are going to do with it. So it will still look like a temporary arrangement.

Agree gorgeous paint colour!

There's a light in there.

And I don't think there's ever been a door on it. It was a bigger cupboard, knocked though.

The idea of a door on it just makes me feel claustrophobic, even though I'd only close when not on there.

I did consider a folding door, but look at my paintwork. I'd have to redo it all and that's a cost I can do without right now

Paint colour is Antibes, from B&Q. Previous owners good taste, not mine!

Another one who LOVES the paint!

What are the dimensions of the little room? Who else lives there with you?

It's only 1.2m x 1.85m

Just me and teen DS.

I'd put plantation type shutter doors on it

@thewatcherisme Cute!

is it just for you?

why do you want to separate it off?

I agree with this idea, or get a folding screen to go in front of the gap.

I was just about to suggest same, that would be lovely

Do you think you or your DS would actually use it as an office? It looks a bit claustrophobic.
I think I’d use if for hobby staff, books or admin and not have a door. Maybe some voile to match your living room?

I would go for a folding screen, it won't affect the paintwork

I'd definitely go for a screen rather than a curtain or voile. A curtain to me would look like you can't afford a door.

Same as what please?

DS certainly won't. I'm not sure about me. I've used it rarely, but I would like to get it looking nice and maybe that would encourage me, as sitting at my breakfast bar/table isn't the best.

As I say, I'm in the office FT at the moment, but hoping that will change.

And if I do start using it as an office, I definitely want to be able to put it out of sight, out of mind, and it's in my living room

Oh, I'd love a little room like that. If you do a door, I'd do a partially glazed one with frosted-type glass for the light. But if you don't want a door, just put a curtain pole inside the little room so you're not messing up the paintwork in your living room.

Does a glass folding door work? Bit of a visual trick that gives the feeling of more windows.

I would put a framed poster with bold colours to work with the scheme of the living room, open storage with plenty of nice things on display and at least two sources of lighting.

I was thinking something like this

Glass folding door.

If you smartened it up (desk chair under desk, everything else on some shelves either in boxes or neatly) you wouldn’t really need anything to cover it with. If you feel differently though then I would go for a real door - think the screen is a bit studenty and I can’t find any curtains or blinds which look as nice as the rest of your living room.

My childhood dream but probably crazy expensive version is a bookcase door … www.bathfurnituremakers.co.uk/secret-bookcase-doors-hidden-bookcase-doors/

I think the screen you've picked is perfect.
You can string fairy lights over it. Maybe even put casters on the bottom so you can wheel it out the way

I would get a beautiful screen. Maybe one which hold nightlights or cover it in faory lights. Mind you at almost 60 I fo still have a student vibe in my house

I think you need to declutter it, one item at a time & make a decision (not 'here for now')

Is is rubbish? bin or car boot (to take to tip)
Can I donate it? (Donate box in car)
If I'm keeping it, where will it live?

then do you need to give it a fresh coat of paint while it's relatively empty?!

Do you have a desk or do you need to get one?

can the desk & chair go where you can't immediately see them!

As you want to be able to close it off, but are happy to work with no door, I'd put in a bookcase door. It'll look fab! & they're useful.

if you wanted/needed to close it while working I'd go with a thick framed painted white wood door with glass.

If you'll eventually use as an office, then find homes for the stuff that shouldn't be in there, Set your desk up, plant, pic on wall - that kind of thing, and leave it open. No need to shut it off. I think it's a small but perfectly formed space and dressed up, needn't be hidden away :)