Help me update a 70s wood-paneled officr
acarpi
6 years ago
This is a 15x18 foot room that is used as my combo office/closet. I have a corner desk that I’d like to paint (white, blue?) and a turquoise lacquered bookcase from Ikea that i love. I want to modernize and brighten and generally clean up the room. There is a Ton of wood trim. My first thought is to paint the walls all white. Any other ideas? Thanks in advance!
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (7)
gtcircus
6 years ago
MarleneM
6 years agoMaybe this photo could provide you with some inspiration. It’s still traditional as your room is, but done in a more updated way. You could update the back of the bookshelves and some of the wall panels with wallpaper or fabric panels, then a large area rug could add more colour to room.
Lake Minnetonka Chateau · More InfoRelated Discussions
Too tidy with no design in our living room
Comments (43)Now it's beginning to work! Luv the rug! A few more red showstoppers, and I luv the post about matting your family pic, and larger frame for it. Looks like you might be a bit uncomfortable with the great post idea of moving your sofa out into the room away from wall. If so, could you accept putting it diagonally from the entrance doorway, across that corner where it is, stopping at the edge of your window? That's a bit of a move outward, still can see the fp and tv, and show off your new rug, which could go diagonally in front of the sofa. Then, if you like that, after a while you could move it on out as Deb K suggests. Sometimes intermediate steps are more doable for us than those big changes.Same with painting; if you could first paint just the fp wall, then later paint other walls...seems some color would really make it more homey. Would you cosider a quite contemporary fixture for the light in the center ceiling? Maybe a bit of red could go there!...See MoreEntranceway needs to be more wow
Comments (33)Thanks for posting new views of your room. You are right, nothing can go in front of the paneling, and we won't block the built-in cubby. In that case let's work with the rest of the space. I found a picture on Houzz for your gallery wall. I think this will allow you to bring in color and texture and interest to your wall without taking up space like furniture would. Try to play with portraits and a couple of paintings in there too - mix it up. Otherwise I would not put anything at the top of that landing (I'd remove that console table). That picture wall should be enough visual interest to your space and it'll draw the eye to the furthest wall as you walk in your house. I would try a small piece with closed storage between the bottom steps and that door by the entry. It looks like the space is no wider than 26", so it'll be a challenge to find something that fits and is tall enough. I would not use the wooden piece you showed above because you want wider proportions and fairly narrow depth so you don't bump into it as you walk by. (something like this ) I would hang a mirror on top of primping. By the cubby you could add a single seat stool. I'm not particularly suggesting these colors for the stool and bombe chest but something along these shapes. At this point if you do that big picture wall and add these two pieces of furniture and a mirror, you might not need to hang anything on the wall above the cubby. Also, I noticed your chandelier is quite substantial for the space and hanging pretty low. Would raising it a little or replacing it by something a little smaller be an option?...See More1940's NZ kitchen - small, awkward-ish layout.
Comments (121)I would suggest you take out the cabinet that is to the right of the stove and use it elsewhere in the house -- perhaps in the bathroom or dining room with a hutch above it. Then, I would suggest you have someone install a lazy susan cabinet in the corner between the sink counter and the stove, meaning you would move the stove down a bit and have a small cabinet/counter top to the right of the stove. I would suggest you have the cabinets refinished in white and then paint the walls a pastel you like. If you would prefer white walls, then add white-painted crown molding and paint the ceiling a light neutral blue, such as Sherwin Williams Niagara Falls Blue. Then, I would suggest you choose a favorite accent color and use this sparingly in accessories like towels, pot holders, small vases or floral arrangements, and a valence above the triple windows. For a genuine 1940s look, you might have white ceramic square tiles with a rectangular red border installed as a back splash behind and above the stove. If you are replacing counter tops, I would suggest a light color such as white with a beige or light grey vein or striation for some sort of pattern. You might be able to find the same color and design in floor tile OR opt for a wood floor as another poster suggested....See MoreBringing this house out of the 90's
Comments (112)Hi everyone, we have moved in! We didn't manage to paint before we moved and think we will go for a staged approach - above the wood panels first in a warm white then decide on the panels. I'm having a bit of trouble working out what kind of sofa to buy and how at arrange the lounge. All furniture except coffee table temporary in photos and would love some ideas!...See More
PROInterior Synergy
6 years agoLinda
6 years ago
PROSina Sadeddin Architectural Design
6 years ago- PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoThat book case doesn’t work in that space at all.I would do a glass desk with chrome legs and some art on the walls and at least roman shades on the windows . Get a couple of sapien bookcases in a color if you want book storage and move the turquoise piece to another room I would not be tempted to paint that wood right now add some lightness to the space some really good lighting it will make a huge difference.Why not use the book shelves that are already there? BTW why are they a different color?What ever you have hanging on the inside of those door get rid of it those things on the outside of the doors looks tacky.
kourtneydixon