Let’s talk about office spaces. Home offices, in particular. I talked a bit about this on my various social media accounts, but I’ve thought about it more and figured I ought to put it all down in one place. For a lot of us, the pandemic made it painfully clear that our work-from-home setups were not ideal. We were not prepared. I felt that way and I was admittedly more prepared than most thanks to my writing habit.
I had a desk and a laptop and all the equipment needed to run a Zoom call. And all of that was even in a room dedicated to the purpose. With a door and everything!
My office is one of our two spare bedrooms (we have a three bedroom house and no children, so we both get offices!) and in the early days of homeownership, I had the brilliant idea to convert the under-utilized closet into space for a desk.
The Early Days
As you can see, the original setup was cozy but functional. Simple. I made it mine and I made it work. I wrote A book and a half there and a LOT of short stories. But the desk was not the focal point. It wasn’t my pride and joy. Honestly, it was such a mess most of the time that I was grateful that, even with the door open, it was out of sight.
That’s one silver-lining, but a major downside was that anytime my spouse needed to speak with me, he would magically appear in my peripheral vision and my life would flash before my eyes. I’d scream, he’d startle because i screamed, and we’d both have to calm our heart rates just so he could ask if I needed anything from the store, or if I’d like a snack (he’s pretty great like that).
So, not ideal. But it worked, and it made for plenty of room for shelves, which was the major priority for me.
These are my pride and joy. They’ve come a long way and are constantly changing as my collection grows, is pruned, and grows some more. And as much as I love these shelves and all the wonderful stories they hold, they aren’t the primary purpose for this office. I don’t read much in here (although that could change soon). The thing I do most is write. Whether that’s blogging or writing short stories and novels or even poems. This room is where I come to think about my writing and set my goals each year, month, and week.
This is my Writing Room. That’s what I call it, like I’m a granny with her crafts. It isn’t my office, not really. Not to me. It’s my Writing Room. Or simply, my Room. Shouldn’t the layout and decor match that?
I’d already been itching to change things up a bit, but I was at a loss of how to even start. With my giant bookshelf anchored to an entire wall, my options for desk placement are pretty limited. I could put it in the closet, against the window (and move my precious plants?!) or I press it up against the opposite wall and have my back to the window.
I don’t know about y’all, but I’ve watched WAY too much true crime for that to ever fly.
I was at a loss. I wanted a change but didn’t know how, or even really why. I just had this vague sense that it was time. And then I went to the Willamette Writers Conference, and on a whim stepped into the “Feng Shui for Writers” talk given by Emily Grosvenor.
Now, I know nothing about Feng Shui. I know nothing about Environmental Psychology and the impacts our surroundings have on our emotions and mental efficacy. But Emily talked about how the design of a space can reflect how you feel about it. For example, having your desk in a corner might mean you feel secretive or protective of your work. That you aren’t interested or are afraid of sharing that work with others.
But if you are confident and proud of your work, why would you write it in a corner. Or a closet?
My brain immediately latched on to that concept. I don’t know the veracity of it, but I do think our brains are trained (my brain in particular) to notice patterns and symbols. We see things and interpret them based on our emotions and knowledge.
So, why was I writing in a corner? Why did I choose a space as removed from the rest of my life as possible? Maybe when we first moved in it made sense. I was working on a different book, and in a much different stage of my career. My writing was young, my craft growing. It wasn’t ready to share with basically anyone.
But now? I’m selling short stories and querying a novel. I’m moving into a new stage of this writing life, and I figure it’s only right that the office make the change with me.
Right Now
This is still very much a work in progress. The closet is going to become a reading nook. It will get completely dismantled, painted, and decorated over the next few months. That part isn’t done.
But the desk is in place. I guess, technically, this placement is considered a “Command Position”. Basically, the desk looks out onto the room and separates me from the door. My bookshelf and a wall are directly behind me (which is convenient for all those writing books!) and the door is on an angle to my left.
There are a lot of benefits to this new position:
I can see basically everything in my office without having to rotate away from my computer. Before I had my back to pretty much everything in my room. I couldn’t see my books or my plants or even Simon when he sprawled out on the settee or a rug. I definitely couldn’t see out of the room. Thinking about it now feels almost claustrophobic.
I feel… freer? Somehow the space feels bigger, more open. I sit up straighter at my desk now without even meaning to. I didn’t realize how much the books loomed over my head and how much that affected my posture. I can’t wait to see how that reflects in my writing going forward.
If I do have a guest in the office, the lounge chair is directly across from me, instead of behind. I only have to lower the lid of my laptop to see them. This is much friendlier and more welcoming for friends, family, and doggos. And it’s a space I am much more likely to use for myself (read 100+ pages there last night!) than I ever did the settee.
I get sunlight! Before I was crammed into the corner, the sun at my back. This was problematic for a couple of reasons: 1.) I felt pretty shut in, and 2.) it made lighting for video calls tricky.
I can see out the window! Before Simon would lay on the sofa and bark at the neighbors, delivery trucks, and mail carriers. Now his spot is tucked away from distraction and I get an okay view of the cul-de-sac.
I can always find a spot for more shelves!This layout opens up some more wall space for more shelving. It’s one of the job hazards of being not just a writer, but also a librarian, that I read and buy a lot of books. I have the giant shelf in my office, and also an arch of floating shelves over my piano in the living room. A have a small bookcase in our bedroom and am actively looking for another one to put there. And now I have room for another tall shelf plus some little floating ones in my office. Shelves on shelves on shelves, y’all. I need ’em!
This layout also makes it easier to move things around and make room for an air mattress if we ever have guests. Admittedly, not something that happens often, but still. It’s nice to have the option.
I have a sightline to the kitchen. Now Trevor and I can chat while he makes dinner (if I’m not headphoned up and working hard) and I can see him coming down the hall if I am. Assuming the door is open. If it isn’t… I’ll still probably scream when he comes in…
And the cons?
It’s a little more echo-y in here, especially for audio recording and video calls. I don’t have many textiles yet to help dampen some of the sound. So that’s a new challenge. But I plan to get a rug and put up some more wall art, so it should improve with time.
This has led to a bit of a hyperfocus/obsession and I want to buy ALL the things to get it completed. And extra money for interior design projects isn’t really in the budget at the moment. And the timing is terrible! Why couldn’t I do this over the summer? Why did I pick the LITERAL day before I returned to work to completely revamp my space??? WHY?!
All of that said, I absolutely love my new floor plan. I love seeing my plants, gazing at my books and sentimental knick-knacks, knowing that my writing room is a more welcoming space, not just for me, but for the dog and the spouse too. That it isn’t a place to shut myself in anymore.
It’s a place to grow and reach, to tell all the wild stories that bubble up in my mind when I give them room to breathe. I didn’t realize how smothered I was until I took the plunge and made the change.
I’m so so glad I did.
I’ll be back on Monday with the Goals Summary. Until then, Bloggarts…
BZ
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