Help me redesign my office! (Looking for layout + design advice)
I'm finally ready to redesign my home office, and I'd love some fresh eyes because I feel like I've hit a wall.
This room is the first room off our living room, right when you walk into the house. It has beautiful glass French doors, so it's very visible from the main living space. I want it to feel warm, elevated, and intentional—not like a typical office.
A few things that are staying:
- My standing desk (I'd like to keep it where it is by the front windows if possible because I love the natural light.)
- My cat's litter box needs to stay somewhere in this room.
- The room's function is primarily an office, but I'd love to create a cozy reading corner.
My current ideas:
- Remove the tall white IKEA storage cabinet.
- Put an oversized reading chair in that corner (I'm currently obsessed with the Crate & Barrel Gather Deep chair-and-a-half as inspiration).
- Add a low walnut credenza next to it instead of another tall cabinet.
- Potentially add a very subtle wallpaper above the chair rail only to bring in some warmth and color without overwhelming the room.
- I'm completely open to replacing the rug.
- I'm completely open to replacing the artwork.
- I'd like the room to feel timeless rather than trendy.
One thing I've realized while shopping: I don't gravitate toward trendy furniture. I like pieces that feel clean, architectural, quiet, and tailored. I've discovered I really dislike fluting, cane, black metal accents, gold hardware, open shelving, and anything that feels overly farmhouse or mid-century. I seem to prefer furniture that almost feels like built-in cabinetry.
I'd especially love advice on:
- The overall layout
- Whether the reading chair is the right idea
- Credenza placement and sizing
- Wallpaper (or whether I should skip it)
- Rug ideas
- Art ideas
- Lighting (floor lamp? new ceiling fixture?)
- Whether there's anything I'm completely overlooking
I'd love for this room to feel collected and designer-worthy while still being practical enough to work from every day.
Pictures attached. Thanks in advance!