Wednesday, May 6, 2009

I Have a Problem...Just Keepin it Real!

My desk...my desk is an issue. There are so many things wrong with this area:
  1. It's in my room! If I had a finished basement (ahh, the dream) it would be there, but it's not...so it's in my room.
  2. It's surface space is small. It's OK if I only want to use it for the computer, but if I wanted to sit at my desk and write a list or update my planner or do a craft, I can forget it...there's just not enough room. Do you see the printer sitting at the top...it's hanging on for dear life!
  3. Look at the chair. It's the chair from my very first table set from my very first apartment. Not comfortable, not cute, doesn't match...
  4. See the plastic drawer thing next to the desk...yeah, not working for me. There are all kinds of things in those drawers and I just can't figure out what I want its purpose to be. Does it hold important papers, pictures, bills? Again, not cute, doesn't match and needs a purpose.
  5. Lastly, there's stuff all on it. Now granted I took this picture in the middle of cleaning it off but if it was an organized area then the things would already be in their places and not on top of the desk taking of what little space I have!!!!
How is a person who loves to be organized supposed to live like this? It's true I love to be organized, I love organizing...it's just coming UP with the system that stumps me. I'm coming up blank for ideas. I need something for a bill system, I need a place for all of my little things, like pens, calculator, envelopes, I need to figure out if I toss the plastic drawer thing or am I not seeing its true potential?

So, this is where you come in...have you had a space like this, tackled it and now it's the best space EVER? What are your secrets, who are your resources? Help a sista out...comment, email me, whatever! I know each person's space is different according to her needs but I need all the help I can get...all ideas welcome, nothing turned away...get your creative juices working.

Later, I'll tell you all the tips I learned and show you all what I finally do with this lovely (gag!) space.



9 comments:

Carrie said...

Gee, I wish I had some good advice...our office looks just like that, but worse! {Looks like you have a good weather forecast, though! LOL!}

We have the same office furniture from when we got married, too...10 years ago! I am excited to see what others say, I have no creative juices right now!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Hi Kelli!

I like that you're keeping it real. Do you have enough room for a bigger desk? You can make a really cute one out of a hollow door from Home Depot. You can either paint it or cover it with fabric. I saw a demo in Domino a few months ago. There are little legs you can buy from Ikea for like $20. It makes a really cute desk. And then you could hand some simple shelves over the top for storage.

Just some ideas. Good luck!

XOXO
Jen

Joanna said...

We have the same problem! Have you thought about doing a bulletin board on the back wall behind the computer? You can make one yourself with the cork board squares covered in different fabrics and cover the entire area...This will at least get some papers up. Lot's of containers! Like across the top...you could even cover shoe boxes with scrapbook paper...the fronts and sides and put a cute label on the front. We have our printer sitting on a filing cabinet beside the desk. You could do that and turn it sideways to get it to fit on the rolling cabinet or get a filing cabinet....I would definitely get small containers to fill all the little cubbyholes you have on the top side. This way your stuff is outta sight...At least if it is messy, nobody will see it! : ) Hope these ideas help you out! Can't wait to see what you end up doing!!

Ally said...

I am trying to figure out my own office area. Right now we have an extra room I use, but as we prepare to downsize I really have no idea where I'll set my computer up, so I'm looking for ideas too!

Just a thought though, what about putting fabric on the front of the desk that hangs to the floor to cover all the stuff under it and to dress it up a little? I also like the idea of putting shelves above it.
You could just get a chair slip cover for the chair and maybe put a cushion on it before you do that to make it match the fabric you hang and make it more comfortable.
I think if you just get a couple of desk organizer things it'll help with a place for pens, papers, and all that office "stuff".
hope that helps some.

Ally said...

Oh...and I meant to add that I would use the plastic container of a filing cabinet of sorts. A place to organize all your stuff alphabetically. I even have a "P" folder I use to put pictures in I don't know what to do with.

Christie in Dallas, TX said...

We have the same problem and will be re-doing our TV/Computer room in the upcoming weeks. Can't wait to see the advice you get -- I might steal it!

Katie said...

I don't have any great ideas to share, but I will look forward to reading more of what others say! I always get so frustrated with the cord mess that comes with the desk area. There has to be a cute little solution for hiding them and keeping them detangled!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Is it possible to find something bigger - than you can have computer space and work space. Also, what about hanging storage from the wall - baskets, or something to clear the clutter off, but you can just toss stuff it. Sometimes opening a lid is another step that just isn't going to happen. I'll keep thinking.

Rondell said...

Let's mount a 32" LCD TV on the wall, that way we can get rid of the monitor. Then stack storage containers behind the door, with the printer on top. Next, use the keyboard shelf the way it was meant to be used and remove the top/right shelving sections. Voila! Everything has a place, and you have a clear desk! I know, I know...I'm waking up now. Bye bye dream world.