From Chaos to Custom: My Husband’s Home Office Upgrade

Let’s face it: home offices can easily become the catch-all for clutter, unfinished projects, and, in my husband’s case, lots of Dallas Cowboys memorabilia. 

Before I stepped in, his office was more of a storage room with a desk. The door stayed shut anytime we had guests because, honestly, it was that bad. 

I knew, deep down, that this room had so much more potential—hidden beneath piles of random junk. 

My mission was to transform it into a space that not only exuded organization and functionality but also looked like it belonged to an adult, rather than a college dorm dweller. Bonus points if we could leave the door open without anyone feeling uncomfortable!

Before the transformation, the room was… let’s call it "uninspired." There was no formal setup—just a table shoved against the wall with random stuff piled everywhere. He could work, sure, but it wasn’t easy. 

Papers and supplies were scattered, and he was constantly fumbling to find what he needed. Worst of all, it didn’t feel like his space. I knew we could do better—a lot better.

My goal was simple: whip this space into shape so it could work as hard as my husband does (without all the grumbling). I wanted an office that screamed "organized and stylish" instead of "oops, don’t look in there." 

The plan? 

Prioritize functionality without sacrificing aesthetics. I went with a transitional design style—think modern meets classic—and added a moody color palette for that extra dose of drama and warmth. 

I also wanted to include plenty of storage, display space for his favorite things (hello, Dallas Cowboys merch), and seating for both work and relaxation.

Step 1: Talk It Out

I talked with my hubby to discuss how he wanted the space to function.

I asked him questions like, did he need more storage? Did he want a TV? What about a spot to relax or host casual conversations?

Once I understood his needs, I was ready to start planning.

Step 2: Create A Mood Board

I put together a mood board and design plan to make sure we were on the same page.

This step is crucial in any project, as it helps align expectations and avoid costly mistakes.

I shared my thoughts on how I wanted to help him pull the space together, and how it was going to align with his goals. Even though I was designing the space, I wanted his buy in first.

This helps me design with confidence, knowing that he's going to be looking forward to the final outcome, versus trying to micromange me becuase he wasn't confident in what I was doing.

I got to do my thing in peace, and he got to get out of my way, it was win win for us both, lol.

Step 3: Clear the Space and Start DIYing

The first order of business was clearing out the clutter and tackling the DIY projects.

Here’s what I did:

Step 4: Accessorize

I sourced accessories to kickstart the styling but left the final touches to him. This way, the space could genuinely reflect his personality.

Step 5: The Big Reveal

His reaction was priceless—he loved it! 

DIYing the built-ins was no small feat. The size of the project meant I needed extra hands, so my daughter and husband stepped in to help. 

It was a true family effort from cutting shelves to moving heavy cabinets.

Want to see how it all came together? Check out the full process on my Instagram and YouTube: