Erin's Lounge

Working from my home office for the past 2 years has really caused me to re-examine my workspace.¬† I’m all about lounging around and creating relaxing lounge spaces in my bedroom or living room, but my home office situation was beyond out of control.¬† I should have the same lounge space attitude where I work, right?¬† But it wasn’t happening.¬† You know how you just get tired of looking at your own mess?¬† Well I was.¬† And I needed a place that was a comfortable workspace that I would quit avoiding.

I couldn’t encourage you all to really dive in there and work on your own relaxing home space if I wasn’t doing the same thing.¬† So I figured I’d open up my junky spot for the world to see and show you what I was dealing with.

I first contacted Sascha Escandon with Rehabitat.¬† Sascha’s a professional organizer that I desperately needed.¬† I’m trying to save money in every phase of my life, but she was well worth it because I couldn’t get out of my own way.

So, here are some  pics of my home office workspace (which doubles as my dining area when needed.)

BEFORE

Look at this clutter!  My desk was such a mess that
I had to sit on my couch with my laptop!

So I went through the trouble of installing my
cool cork bulletin board on the wall, so why
do I need another one leaning on the fridge?

This is a media cabinet that I used for my TV
before I was forced to go flat screen.  I had it
clear across the room, even though it was all
office related.

My patterns were out of control!  There
must be a better way to do this!

As you can see, this was a hot mess and I couldn’t even think in here.¬† I would find myself going to my friend Emily’s just to get away from my own cluttered office.¬† Her home office seemed so peaceful and I could think there.¬† What? That’s crazy! I mean, my place is cute!¬† I got it because I thought it was the cutest little spot for L.A. living, so I had to make it work.¬† Rent in this town is too high to even think about not using what you’re already paying for!

Sascha helped me figure out what to do.¬† She would say the simplest things, like, “Put that there instead of there,” and I would think, “You’re so wise!”¬† She was particularly helpful with some of the things I won’t bore you with, like cabinet and closet assistance.¬† I had so much space I wasn’t maximizing.

The entire exercise helped me to create a space that was really comfortable.¬† Now I want to be here, think and do work.¬† Even though it’s a home office and I’m going to roll over to it in my lounge pants and hoody, it’s actually a usable home office space.

AFTER Vast improvement I’d say!

Are those wood floors I see?

Is that a glass desk?

Now that cabinet has a purpose.  Not
just my “free-for-all” office junk space!

I really wanted to start off my 2009 trying to live the life I wanted, so I’m beginning to create it.¬† My home has to be my sanctuary and what better place to lounge in than home?¬† Whether it’s my home office space or my bedroom¬† (Although…the bedroom is next!).¬† How many times have I looked in a Dwell magazine or West Elm and Pottery Barn catalogs thinking, “I wish I could get my space to look like that?”¬† I’d buy all of the stuff, but didn’t get the same end result.

I’m on my way.¬† I can’t very well have on my cute ass loungewear in a junky, chaotic mess!