$35 Home Office Refresh {Fall Budget-Reno Challenge}

Guys, this was fun.

I mean, I always like DIY and design projects, but there's a whole different kind of thrill when you pull off a big-impact change with a small-budget price tag. Lately I've been struck with the realization that as much as I love HGTV, I can't help but feel that they've taken a far step from attainable DIY into a new realm of "low budget" that's... way outside my budget. What's the point of looking at these beautiful spaces if they make us want what we can't have and buy what we can't afford? I so badly want to bring us back to a place where we look into our own homes and our own resources and carefully create homes that our just what we need them to be in every way. But that's a rant for another day. It's also the main reason I was so excited for this budget challenge!

If you joined us in the challenge we'd love to see (or at least hear about) what you did! You can leave links in the comments, tag us on instagram (@more.like.home) or facebook (@morelikehome), or tag your posts #morelikehomeblog and we'll check out your work! 

The rules were super simple (full details are in this post):

- refresh or reno a space in your home before you're cooped up looking at it all winter

- set a budget (whatever works for you!) and stick to it

- make thrifty magic happen (we'd love to see some $0 spaces!)

- share it with the group! If you want to. No pressure, guys. 

Ready to see what we did with our $50 budget? Brace yourselves - here's a quick flashback to the sad place we started:

DIY Desk Series #22 - Add-On Drawers for Any Desk

We're wrapping things up today with a final plan to add-on storage to your favorite desk. This time it's two versions of desktop drawers that are perfect for keeping your smaller office supplies in line.

P.S. Check out the rest of our free DIY Desk Plan Series here!

We'll be doing a version with two separate units like the inspiration photo. You can leave it as an open cubby, or make a small drawer to tuck in:

And a full-length version to reach completely across the desktop, with a drawer at each end (you could leave these open as cubby spaces, too.

You can stack them together, or even stack one with the hutch from yesterday's plans!

DIY Desk Series #21 - Add-On Hutches for Any Desk

We're wrapping up our series with a couple add-on storage plans that can be modified for use with any desk in our series. Today we'll be looking at two simple hutch designs that will be a great addition to your work space!

P.S. Check out the rest of our free DIY Desk Plan Series here!

inspiration photo source

We'll be building a taller hutch with shelves at the top, and a shorter hutch with the shelves on the side.

Here are a few more hutch inspirations to get your wheels turning:

Want a little drama? Make your hutch extra tall and add trim around the top.

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Try shelves on both sides for even more book storage.

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Or an extra short hutch for a different look.

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But enough chit-chat. Let's get started! Here are shopping lists for the tall hutch as-is, but keep in mind you'll likely need to change the width of the hutch to fit your desk, so you'll need a different amount of 1x10s. Scroll down for instructions for the shorter hutch.

DIY Desk Series #20 - Hideaway Corner Floor Desk

This floor desk gives you a ton of work space and storage space all in one. And just wait until you see this guy's moves.

P.S. Check out the rest of our free DIY Desk Plan Series here!
And the rest of the floor desk plans here!

The storage section is on casters and can be configured into an L-shape desk.

Pull it out for a little more work surface and easier access to the storage.

And when you're done, the storage unit completely tucks underneath to free up floor space.

But wait, there's more - you can customize the storage unit to fit your needs! Big drawers, small drawers, open shelving... it can pull of any of them.

DIY Desk Series #19 - Stackable Bookcase Floor Desk

Today's floor desk is a fun one. It's based a nifty stackable bookcase I've had my eye on.

P.S. Check out the rest of our free DIY Desk Plan Series here!
And the rest of the floor desk plans here!

inspiration photo source

This one is perfect for someone who only needs an occasional floor desk. It also makes a great space for kids to draw or do homework that you can tuck away when you're done, and can serve as a coffee table or end tables if your guests need an extra place to set their snacks. It stacks up into a funky bookcase when you don't need a desk:

And un-stacks to a create a handy workspace desk when you do:

The desktop tucks away behind the bookcase until you need it.

Shopping List:

• 1  -  1x12  @  10'  (cut all the sides and three tops)
• 1  -  1x12  @  8'  (cut three bottoms and the desktop)
• 3  -  1/4" plywood @ 17 1/2 x 12" (some stores sell smaller "project panels" so you don't need to buy a whole sheet) (these don't have to be 1/4" thick, if you have plywood scraps use them!)
• 3  -  1x4  @ 8'  (legs)
• 1  -  1x4  @  6'  (extra for the legs, you'll lose some length with each cut and may only get 7 legs per 8' board)
• Kreg Jig (optional)
• 1 1/4" pocket hole screws (optional)
• 1 1/4" wood screws
• 5' long leather or canvas strap
• wood glue
• wood filler
• sandpaper and finishing supplies

DIY Desk Series #18 - Corner Floor Desk w/ Shelves

Today's floor desk tucks into the corner to make the most of a small space.

P.S. Check out the rest of our free DIY Desk Plan Series here!
And the rest of the floor desk plans here!

inspiration photo source

I love how warm and inviting this looks. It's the kind of place I want to cozy up and get a little work done!

I'll go ahead and tell you, though, our shelves won't be actually attached to our desk like sample photo. I'm going to suggest building a simple corner desk with shelves mounted about it. It will be easier to make and more stable, plus the shelving will be adjustable if your needs change.

DIY Desk Series #17 - Floor Desk with Drawers

Today's floor desk adds some great storage space, while keeping things clean and simple.

inspiration photo source

This desk has a drawer on each side to help keep office supplies or papers handy. For each side, you can choose between a single drawer or a stack of two drawers.

Shopping List:

• 1  -  1x10  @  6'
• 1  -  1x4  @  10'
• 1  sheet 3/4" plywood
• 2 - 4 sets of  18" drawer slides (depending on how many drawers you make)
• 2 - 4 drawer pulls (for a seamless look you can use the space under the tall drawers to open them and skip the pulls)
• Kreg Jig
• 1 1/4" pocket hole screws
• 1 1/4" wood screws
• finishing nails
• glue
• sandpaper and finishing supplies

Dimensions: 60" wide x 20" deep x 12 3/4" high

To make a taller desk, you need to equally add to the height of three things:

• the sides
• the backs
• the drawer fronts (easier to do with the single drawer!)

plywood cut layout

DIY Desk Series #16 - Simple Floor Desk

We'll start our floor desks with the easiest one! Trust me, this one is as easy as it looks!

P.S. Check out the rest of our free DIY Desk Plan Series here!
And the rest of the floor desk plans here!

inspiration photo source

This desk has a super simple design with clean lines that's great for keeping your space light and airy. And it's easy to adjust the height to fit your needs by changing the length of the legs!

Shopping List:
1  -  2x2  @  8'
1  -  2x2  @  6'
1  -  3/4" plywood  @  36 x 20"
Kreg Jig
2 1/2" pocket hole screws
2" wood screws
wood glue
sandpaper and finishing supplies

Dimensions: 36" wide x 20" deep x 14 1/4" high

Floor Desk Series Intro

Welcome to floor desks! This is the third phase in our DIY desk building series and I'm so excited about these! I'll tell you what, there are all kinds of desks out there and even quite a few standing desk, but when you start searching for a floor desk? The pickings are pretty slim. Believe it or not, the benefits of a floor desk can actually be pretty similar to those of a standing desk. It's great to get your legs and hips out of their usual position and moving around! If you're interested in reading more about this and other ways to get more movement in your workday, check out the book Don't Just Sit There. And read anything else by Katy Bowman:

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And when you're ready to give a floor desk a try, this is a great place to get started! Here are a few tips for building and using your floor desk:

•  Make it the right height. The floor desks in this series are all drawn with a knee-space 12" high. You need space for your knees without putting your keyboard too high. If you're particularly tall or short, you may want to do some measuring to get a good fit. Sit down a measure from the floor to your elbows to get a good idea of your keyboard height, but also measure to the top of your knees to make sure your legs will fit! If you plan to sit on a cushion or bosu, sit on it while you measure.
• Keep it safe for the kids. The low height of these desk makes them very accessible to children! So think carefully about everything you will put in an on the desk to avoid sharp objects, choking hazards, and anything you don't want broken. 
• Ease into it. Not used to a floor work station? Don't ditch your standard desk just yet. You might need to go back and forth for a while while you adjust.
• Don't just sit down there. Just like standing still or sitting in a chair all day, sitting still on the ground all day isn't going to be that beneficial for you either. Use this chance to move your legs, stretch your calves, and change position often.  

Here are the quick links to all the floor desks we'll be building, followed by tips for modifying a few other plans in the series to standing-height (don't forget to check out the rest of the desk building series):

Floor Desk Plans

These links will start going up tomorrow, but for today we'll be looking at all the other desks in this series that can easily be altered to create a standing desk, plus one other super easy floor desk idea.

Adapt by Shortening the Legs:

Adapt by Mounting Lower on the Wall:

And One More...
Just for a minute let's talk about Katy Bowman's floor desk up at the beginning of this post. Because it's beautiful and easy and I love it. A vintage coffee table (or a vintage table with the legs cut down to height) also makes a perfect, one-of-a-kind floor desk!

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Happy Building! (And don't forget to check out the rest of the series!)

DIY Desk Series #15 - Chunky Standing Desk

Today's desk is one of the easiest plans in the entire series! It's simple, chunky frame design fits seamlessly into your living space without making it feel like an office.

P.S. Check out the rest of our free DIY Desk Plan Series here!

inspiration photo source

This desk can easily do double-duty as a console table, so it's a great way to squeeze a work space into your living or dining room.
 

inspiration photo source

Got kids with homework? This is a perfect station to tackle those math books without cluttering the table or countertop.

Need workspace for more than one? You can easily extend the desk to fit multiple people (or make a full wall-length console!).

Shopping List:
3  -  4x4  @  8'
1  sheet  3/4" plywood
Kreg Jig
2 1/2" pocket hole screws
1 1/4" wood screws