Despite declaring office updates as a priority at the start of earlier years (I think literally every year for the past five years), 2025 is the year I actually made movements and progress toward that goal! In the past year, I’ve really started embracing showcasing things that bring me joy and after starting a display collection, our bucket list travels, and just overall desire to commemorate happiness, I decided that I would dedicate a wall in my office as a “wall of happiness” (formal name TBD). Just for me. But, I didn’t want to go through the effort without also making sure I crossed off those other items on my office update punch list, so, I started the year finally doing everything that actually needed to be done to complete my office update, with the “wall of happiness” being the final project/reward once the other updates were made.
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Remember when I added my rattan light fixture or purchased THIS desk chair (x2)? That’s when I *thought* I was updating my office but it’s been years since then and that was as far as I made it. I love my office and I didn’t want to do an overhaul just because — I just wanted to make some functional and aesthetic updates that better serve me and the space I spend so much time in.
The biggest things holding me back — distributing the random junk piles sitting on my desk and not just switching out the rug, but overcoming the daunting task of moving the heavy table within the small space and getting it all down. Long story short — it was way easier than I had built up in my head (as is often the case ;)). So — the first thing I did in the new year after tidying the space… I ordered a new rug.
Latest Office Update #1 — New Rug
My former rug was pretty — a periwinkle paisley with other hints of colors (pink, yellow, red…) but 1. it didn’t totally fit the aesthetic my office gravitates toward these days, and 2. it was thin, which I don’t prefer on carpet since thin rugs on carpet are more susceptible to creasing, folding, and don’t work well with office chairs. I had it in place for almost a decade but I wanted to replace it with something thicker, neutral, affordable, and versatile. And then, the best news ever — I often re-check the status of our former living room rug to see if it’s back in stock and after many failed attempts last year, when I checked hypothetically for the office, it was! Meant to be, obviously ;). Here is how the 7’9″x9’9″ size looks in my office!
Area Rug | Office Chair | Cabinet Pulls — 5 1/16″ | Cabinet Pulls — 6 5/16″
It’s perfect because I have both warm and cool toned neutrals in here — both grays and beiges and the rug plays to both.
I loved this rug in our living room but as I mentioned when we finally replaced it — our dogs were incredibly unkind to it. When I went to order the identical rug again, it was on backorder, so I opted for an alternative. Here is a peek back at what it looked like in our living room.
The former rug (the one now in my office) is on the left and the latest thin, soft rug is on the right. (By the way, I’m obsessed with the Cloudpile (the softest thing your feet will ever feel) rug in the living room now and the price is the most incredible value — I have the 8’x11′ and you won’t believe how affordable it is. I also paired it with THIS rug pad.)
Both are great but I was so excited for the opportunity to order the grid rug again for my office! Setting the new floor foundation really did dial everything up a few notches.
Latest Office Update #2 — Securing Frames for ‘Wall of Happiness’
I don’t watch TV while I work but my office isn’t just my work space — it’s where I eat lunch, wrap gifts, pay bills, manage our house, and is basically my dedicated spot. Eliza has her room and playroom, Dave has his basement man cave, I have my office so I’ve evolved it to serve me in more ways than just daytime work. The first wall update I made was that I got rid of the big (for this office) clunky TV that was hanging on the wall (we’ve had for more than 10 years now?) I wanted something more discreet and something that could become part of my ‘Wall of Happiness’ — so I joined my mom and upgraded to a more modestly sized frame TV. Stay tuned for a forthcoming post on the wall and I’ll discuss all the specifics!
The next update was to start securing frames for my collected art and memories. I’m going for coordinated but eclectic with varying gold tones, white, pale wood tones — both with and without mats. I also have something really special going on the wall that I’ll share later in the dedicated post 😉 My tv frame hasn’t arrived just yet, but I can’t wait to see what the teak bezel looks like against some of the frames I’ve acquired.
Gold Frame — 5″ x 7″ | Thin Gold Metal Frame — 12″ x 16″
I’m no stranger to the thin pale gold frame since I’ve used it in its black 16″x20″ counterpart so many times!
Gold Frame — 5″ x 7″ | Thin Gold Metal Frame — 12″ x 16″
I’ve used it in so many uniform collages but most notably for my breakfast nook travel gallery wall. It’s such a great value — especially when you have to purchase a bunch — and one of my favorite Wayfair finds ever. Be sure to check pricing and discounts during the Weekend Clearance event (everything is up to 70% off and ships quickly).
Gallery Wall Frames — 16″x20″ (matted for 11″ x 14″)
The warm finish and quality of the smaller gold frame is way more beautiful in person and it comes in several sizes! How precious is this print I bought at a NYC Christmas market during mine and Eliza’s impromptu girls trip last month? (You can see the recap of that trip HERE).
Latest Office Update #3 — Ordered Custom Black-Out Shades
I love the furniture layout in my office but lighting can get tricky with the sun glare on my screen — especially while editing photos. Plus, I spend some late nights and lots of early mornings in here. I wanted shades similar to our primary bathroom automated shades (see the primary bathroom HERE), in a blackout version. I finally bit the bullet and will look forward to installing those — they’re also a bit more streamlined and will hopefully collect less dust than the ones I’ve had in place since 2016. 😉
Area Rug | Office Chair | Cabinet Pulls — 5 1/16″ | Cabinet Pulls — 6 5/16″
I would be amiss not to give my office chair workhorse its own moment — I actually bought two of these for my office (for when my mom and I work together) and they’ve served me well for several years now. And that’s with sitting at my desk for hours upon hours each day. It’s a great value and comes in multiple finishes and upholstery options HERE. If you need something traditional (not just for looks) that also has a great aesthetic, it’s an awesome option.
Here are the current finish and upholstery options…
If you like something smaller/with a curved back, shout out to my mom’s pretty office and adorable desk chair that comes in 16 (!!) fabric options now?! You can find her desk chair HERE. Like always, all Wayfair orders over $35 ship free.
Area Rug | Office Chair | Cabinet Pulls — 5 1/16″ | Cabinet Pulls — 6 5/16″
Latest Office Update #4 — Installed Corner Seating & Entertainment
After playing musical chairs with my accent chairs, my barrel chair ended up in my office — it first ended up there out of necessity but then stayed out of enjoyment. And then, I ended up becoming infatuated with vinyls and playing them while reading/relaxing/spending time in the bedroom. I upgraded our primary record player to something more permanent which meant I could move my cute suitcase record player into the office so I could enjoy vinyls during the day. BTW — I recommend 10/10 and if you’ve never tried Bridgerton’s instrumental soundtrack while you’re working, it’s amazing.
I love the affordability and portability (and of course, cute vintage aesthetic of a suitcase player) and Wayfair has so many colors and brands. Find some of my faves below and see how easy it would be to get a vinyl player inexpensively situated in several rooms throughout your house.
1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8. | 9. | 10. | 11. | 12. | 13. | 14. | 15. | 16.
BTW — my vinyl listening isn’t the exact same as my regular listening. Aside from TS (which is always a big yes from me), I’m way more into easy listening, instrumental, blues, and Americana on the record player (if it doesn’t match the exact vibe I’m after, I don’t want it, haha).
I moved THIS small accent table (which now comes in six finishes) from my bedroom nook into the sitting area in my office to house the record player and it’s perfect — but now I need a new bedroom solution.
Remember what it looked like in my little bedroom nook just last month? That’s the great thing about these little accent tables — they’re so versatile and easy to put anywhere, it isn’t uncommon for them to end up being situated in lots of spaces throughout my house.
Latest Office Update #5 — Neutralized the Office Bathroom
Another quick update I made was actually in the office bathroom. When this bathroom first got its makeover (out of necessity after a contractor accidentally ripped out the vanity), I decided to incorporate some color punch. It’s been fun. But, after (5??) years, I wanted to tone it down a bit and sub my colorful floral shower curtain out for a classic white waffle weave. I thought it would be way easier to incorporate colorful art with a more blank canvas.
Here’s what it looked like before (see the full project HERE)…
And here it is after I I subbed in THIS classic, simple waffle weave shower curtain. BTW — it also comes with a weighted liner!
White Waffle Shower Curtain | Faucet
I’ll be sharing the office once it’s fully completed and as I mentioned, I’ll be doing an entirely separate post on my fun wall!
5 Fave Value Wayfair Pieces to Check Out During Weekend Clearance
During the Weekend Clearance event, it’s a great time to check pricing on pieces you’re on the hunt for to start/complete your first 2025 home projects, but here are some of my personal budget friendly faves that have proven to be all-stars in our home.
1. Diamond Kitchen Runner
Diamond Kitchen Runner | White Backsplash Tile | Drawer Pulls | Cabinet Door Knobs | Le Creuset Dutch Oven
4. Bedroom Storage Bench
Upholstered Storage Bench | Boucle Storage Ottoman
But seriously, the heft, quality and storage of this bench is incredible. You won’t even believe the storage capacity in person.
5. Playroom Rug
Area Rug | Upholstered Storage Bench
What projects are you focused on this year? Is your home office a space you love? If you don’t have an office, do you have a separate dedicated space for just you? Even a reading corner has the ability to bring major joy when you get it outfitted just the way you want 😉
WEEKEND CLEARANCE SALE — UP TO 70% OFF
- Area Rugs — Up to 70% Off
- Bathroom Vanities & More — Up to 50% Off
- Bedding — Up to 65% Off
- Bedroom Furniture — Up to 55% Off
- Cookware & Bakeware — Up to 60% Off
- Curtains & Drapes — Up to 60% Off
- Entryway Furniture — Up to 50% Off
- Flooring, Hardware & More — Up to 40% Off
- Home Office Furniture — Up to 50% Off
- Kitchen Faucets & More — Up to 60% Off
- Kids Bedroom Furniture — Up to 50% Off
- Kitchen & Dining Furniture — Up to 55% Off
- Lighting — Up to 50% Off
- Major Appliances — Up to 40% Off
- Mattresses & More — Up to 60% Off
- Mirrors & Decor — Up to 55% Off
- Nursery Essentials — Up to 45% Off
- Pet Essentials — Up to 45% Off
- Small Appliances — Up to 40% Off
- Storage & Organization — Up to 45% Off
- Tableware — Up to 55% Off
- TV Stands & Living Room Tables — Up to 50% Off
- Wall Art & Wallpaper — Up to 70% Off
- Outdoor Furniture — Up to 50% Off
- Living Room Seating — Up to 50% Off
I have at least 2 sets of bedroom window coverings (currently metal mini blinds that are broken) I need to replace ASAP! I thought I was set on getting shutters but decided they may not provide enough black-out. Now I’m not sure what to get. I have such a hard time making decisions on paint/decor for the house. Ugh!
I agree that it can be so hard to make a decision, especially when you want to make sure you’re choosing an item or refresh that will last for awhile. I’m a big fan of trying a sample first (for paint colors or blinds) and see what the item will look like with my existing furnishings and in different lights, depending on the time of day. I wish you the best on the next home decision you make, Libbe!
Always love your style! Can we see a pic of the entire wall where you have the corner seating? I want to see what all you have to the right of the chair. Thank you!!
Thank you, Katie, for taking the time to stop by! I published a new post this week on creating a gallery wall in my office and it includes some additional pics of that corner. Here’s a link to the post.
https://kelleynan.com/frame-tv-gallery-wall/