This post is about a moody office.
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If you are wanting to create a moody office in your home, this post has all the tools you'll need! This was the first room makeover I did in our home, and to say I'm obsessed is an understatement!
Transforming a room this much can seem overwhelming. This post will give you a step-by-step walk through with all my favorite tips! Let's dive into the 4 must-do steps.
This post is about a moody office.
Moody Office: Colors
When it comes to a moody office, a rich color scheme is the foundation. In our case, we opted for a combination of black, white, and dark mahogany. This surprised even me, as I usually avoid reds like the plague. In typical Megan fashion, I heavily accented with brassy golds.
We opted for wallpaper, & it immediately brought an old-world feel to the room. I would choose wallpaper again & again for a space like this. Choosing a "busier" pattern of wallpaper helped to carry the layered and collected vibe we aimed for in our decor styling.
I decided to install chair rail and picture frame moulding on the lower third of the walls. This was my first time doing both, & it was SO much easier than I expected. If you're a beginner or intermediate DIY-er, try it!
Moody Office: Furniture
Every moody office needs a focal point that sets the vibe of the space. For us, that was a vintage clawfoot desk that I thrifted. It became the star of the show in our space, and the entire mood board was built around it.
Typically, when I design any room, I look for a statement piece of furniture and then try to build a story around that particular item. Often times that piece is one-of-a-kind or at least a super unique thrifted find. This leads to a slower finishing of our home, but I couldn't care less. The result is a room that tells a story, and that's what I hope for in any room I enter. If you're interested in how I find my unique thrifted furniture, check this post out!
We also incorporated budget-friendly, DIY, built-in bookcases. They added insane height to the room. Here's a video explaining how I did them. Placing them right behind the desk created an immediate focal point when entering the room.
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Moody Office: Decor
In a moody office, the decor is where you can truly let your creativity shine. Moody, old-world spaces thrive on a curated mix of thrifted and new decor items. I aimed for a layered, collected, & "imperfect" look & really embraced "more is more".
One of my favorite tricks was utilizing my print-to-painting hack. I chose to hang the "original" looking art in unconventional spaces to make the space feel more layered. Each shelf became a canvas to tell a unique story. For example, on the bottom shelf, we placed a large chessboard game set, which serves both as a decorative piece and a functional item.
We also created a "cigar station" using a cigar from our wedding and a collection of matches, adding a touch of nostalgia. We're big bourbon fans, so we dedicated a space to showcase vintage glasses and a decanter of our favorite bourbon.
By embracing imperfection, you allow your decor to tell a story and infuse the space with character. Remember, it's the small details and unexpected combinations that create a truly special space.
Moody Office: Aesthetic
When I think of a moody study, I think of a place you work, a place you read, and a place you enjoy a good cocktail with great company. To get the most out of our moody office, we made it a multifunctional space. My thought process was, "how can this space be used in the morning, evening, and on the weekend in different ways?"
@ahousetohomey Does it officially qualify as a study instead of an office? Overall, this project was such a fun 1st room makeover in our new house. The next room is going to be COMPLETELY different. Hints on my IG stories this week about what’s up next… I can’t wait to show you guys! If you have a guess, leave it in the comments & make sure you’re following me on IG for the announcement on the next room makeover! The snow in the “before” clip is trying to expose me lol. This office makeover did take a little longer than I expected, but it also just snowed in WI like 3 weeks ago so… I had SO much fun doing this room & I learned so many new skills in a short period of time. If you’re a beginner, don’t be intimidated by trying out new things in your home. I’d categorize myself as softly intermediate, & this project wasn’t difficult at all. The most challenging parts were the patience certain things required & trusting the process and my original vision. It really was such a blessing to be able to create this space for my husband to work in every day. (& maybe a little for a new evening reading spot for myself…) #roommakeoverseries #officemakeover #darkacademiahome #buildergradeupgrade #vintagemodernhome #homediy #interiorinspo #homedecor ♬ Oogum Boogum Song - Brenton Wood
The primary use is, of course, an office space. However, when the sun sets and I need a cozy reading space it is the most tranquil room in the house. A highlight was undoubtedly the creation of a cozy reading nook. A cozy chair, side table, & ambient lighting was all it took.
It can also easily transform into the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail with the switch of a light. For lighting specifically, we reached toward our favorite hue lights. In this room we used the traditional bulbs, but we also own & love the can lights too! At night, we also flip on our battery-rechargeable, no-hardwire-needed, art light for a mood setter!
This was such a fun 1st room makeover in our new home! As I said, dark & red are not typically in my wheelhouse, yet this room is my current favorite? We often assign a purpose to a room without allowing ourselves to live in it first.
Challenge yourself to find additional purposes for certain rooms in your house. Moral of the story, don't be afraid to try something bold or break a rule in your space. After all, it is your home.
This is a great post! Anyone (like my wife) who likes DIY will take inspiration from you. The only suggestion that I might make is to use downloadable prints for your artwork. It can be on paper or canvas and I don’t believe it would be as expensive as doing it yourself.
Thank you! Something I’ll definitely consider in the future.