Bedroom Office Nook Ideas

I am always looking for ways to make our cozy little 1930’s bungalow more functional. It’s a cute little house but the layout is pretty funky. Trust me, despite my best efforts, there are many spaces that can be better optimized! It can feel like a lot to tackle. When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I focus on one small area instead of an entire room or remodel. In this case, I focused on just one little part of my primary bedroom. It was unused and collecting clutter. So, faced with an awkward corner and a home begging for more functionality, I set out to transform this area into a cozy bedroom office nook!

Ok, first things first. There are few things more satisfying to me than taking an awkward or unused space and turning into something amazing. Not just better, but an actual functioning area. Over the last few years, that’s kind of become my design goal. Not just pretty – but actually useful. And, I’m happy to say that’s what I achieved with this corner! Here it is before…

Kind of werrd right? This old house had sooooo many remodels, additions, and changes over the years that some spots, like this one, felt like an afterthought. Since I wasn’t working with much square footage in general, it was a pity to waste any space. This little corner sat unused for too long, it was time to shine her up and make it useful!

Best Use of Space

When I look at a space, I like to think of ways it could be used. This is the fun part – so many ideas come to mind! Typically, I try re-imagine from how it was built or previously used and think of possible ways it could be reconfigured. This kind of re-imagining is how I work with difficult areas.

For this space, I thought it might function well in a few different ways. I considered a vanity area, an office, or even adding a closet with a remodel. But, given the size and my personal needs, I thought an office would be the best use of space.

Define the Area

To get things started, I need to really define this area. As part of the primary bedroom, I wanted to really the corner to feel like it had it’s own design and purpose. The quickest way to do this was with paint.

This corner was already painted green by the previous owners. It was a pretty hunter green color but just not me. Plus, you know I love a good black wall! I chose a deep, rich black paint (Boudoir by Behr) that adds more contrast and really made it feel like it’s own space.

You might notice I painted the entire corner. When painting accents walls, it’s important to find the natural end points. And here it was the end of one wall and the corner of another. This made it feel like it was a separate spot within the entire room. I shared more of my tips on How to Choose an Accent Wall for more info on this!

Then, I reinstalled the wood shelf which felt a little random before – just floating in the middle of the wall but with some strategic furniture placement, it became a anchor. With artwork layered on it and a complementary desk below, it took on a sort of custom built in look.

Add Office Functionality

With the painting completed and the shelf and desk in place, it was time for some strategic decor. Remember I needed this space to be more than just pretty. It needed to actual function as a bedroom office nook! To achieve this I added a few things but still leaving room for my laptop:

• Storage baskets – loose papers and office supplies
• Wall Shelf – creates a vertical element making space feel larger and allows artwork to change over time
• Desk – proportionate in size makes it feel custom and drawer hole for cords keeps it tidy
• Desk Trays to corral the odds and ends that will undoubtedly collect here

Office Styling Ideas

Now, onto the decor. For styling this bedroom office nook, I stuck with my usual design style! I’m sort of an organic modern gal which means I love neutral colors, natural textures, plants, and minimal design.

You’ll see elements of organic modern in the decor I chose for this space:

• Nature themed wall art adds vertical height to make space feel taller & bigger
• The circle hoop wall hanging mixes up the shapes since everything is so boxy
• Keeping it neutral means it’s easy to switch things in and out
• Woven baskets add texture and storage

Office Mood Board

Before refreshing any space, I usually create a mood board to see it all together. For this bedroom office nook, I imagined something breezy yet romantic and inspiring. Taking organic modern to another level, I channeled some California Casual vibes. Click below to shop my sources and use in your space:

1. Midnight Blossoms – one of my new favorite prints from Juniper Print Shop, the blush pink softens up the dark wall and the combo is perfection
2. Pasture – I love a good landscape print and this one, also from Juniper, is a pretty neutral art print to layer (both frames from Frame It Easy, shop from here for 10% off)
3. Floating White Oak Shelf: The hardware was already in place here and I decided to keep the shelf since I love the versatility of shelving
4. Nesting Tray Desk Organizer – these are a cute catchall for all those little bits
5. Woven Basket: We all need a few good baskets and I love the texture and natural vibes a woven basket offers to a space
6. White Ceramic Vase – I love the contrast against the black wall! (this is not the exact vase, but super close!)
7. Target Loring Desk: This light wood desk has made the rounds and for good reason, it’s super minimal and not too fussy!
8. Oasis: Modern Desert Homes – One of my very favorite house design books for continued inspiration
9. Black Wishbone Chair – These served as my dining room chairs but now I love using them as accent chairs around the house

Final Thoughts

Sometimes the biggest transformations come from the smallest corners. This little bedroom office nook wasn’t a massive renovation, just a weekend makeover—but it made a huge impact. By focusing on just one corner, I was able to turn a cluttered, awkward area into a functional and beautiful workspace that actually works for my life.

I’m still amazed with how lovely it turned out. I used to avoid that space and cringe when I’d walk by. But now, it’s one of my very favorites in this whole house! The black paint really made a huge difference and it was a new color for me. Usually, I opt for Iron Ore or Tricorn Black, but I’m loving this velvety dark shade. From this project, it’s easy to see why painting a bold wall is one of my favorite Easy Home Updates Under $200.

So, if you’ve been staring at a weird wall or unused nook in your own home, I hope this makeover is an inspiration to consider it an opportunity. A little paint, furniture placement, and intentional decor can completely change how a space feels.