Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Design

Comparing Home Office Spaces Then and Now

June 26, 2023

When we first moved into this house, we weren't exactly sure what we wanted this front room to be. We had thoughts about it being a music room/sitting room, but the longer we lived in this house, the more we realized that we needed a formal office space for work and everyday life! The study has been officially finished for about a month, and it's the perfect, functional addition to our home. I thought we would take a walk down memory lane to revisit some other office spaces we've had in past homes.

Present Study

Shop the study

This is by far our most formal office space! Chris and I both enjoy working from this desk, and there are no bad seats in here.

Shop this view

Obviously, this view is spectacular, and I find myself very inspired whenever I spend time in here. Putting in the pocket doors was 100% necessary, though, because this room is right off of the front entry, and they block out the noise and distractions. Even just having the doors closed is a signal of, "Hey, I'm busy in here!"

Girls' Office

Shop the Girls' Office

In our last house, we renovated an office space for the girls to be able to do homework and have screen time. Really, it was a home office and one of my very favorite spaces from the Modern Cottage.

Team Office

Shop the team office

Times in Idaho were a bit simpler, and we were able to have a space for our team to work out of! We were smaller in numbers back then and this L-shaped room was the perfect space for us. Since then we've multiplied and upgraded to a residential office space just down the street from our house in North Carolina!

Past Music Room

Shop the Music Room

Now I know this isn't technically an office space, but the music room was everyone's favorite room to grab a book and relax in. It was perfect for those times when you need a change of scenery while you catch up on work or get lost in a good book. We have plans to transform the stair landing into a music room, and I can't wait!

Reading Room

Black Sconces | Black Leather Couch | Woven Basket | Wooden Coffee Table | Vase

Two homes ago, we had a reading room right off of the front entry (very similar to our current study), and we transformed it into this over the course of 6 years. I had a small little bookshelf desk, where I spent many of my early blogger years at. Times have changed, but I have so many fond memories of this space.

Home office

Leather Rolling Chair | White Pendant

Once Chris started working for Chris Loves Julia full-time, the need for a more separated space from the rest of the house became apparent. So we transformed this spare basement bedroom into a Home Office. Fun fact, at one point, we thought we could be standing desk people, and then we modified it to be a sitting desk eventually.

As people who work from home, having a home office has been absolutely necessary for us to be able to focus and have a designated area to get our work done. I feel like growing up, we all had "home offices," which was really just the computer room. But in a world of laptops and smartphones, are we still finding home offices to be as necessary as they once were?

filed under: 
— Hide Comments
+ ShowComments
What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Hands down your present office space is perfect. Truly beautiful. Coming in second is the reading room. So cozy for reading a book on the couch. But truthfully, every space works and thanks for sharing. I imagine each space full of memories and hope of things to come. Congratulations on your many successes.

What We're

Loving

Right Now

What We're

Loving

Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop
Shop All

Love Stories

Love Where You Live

In an industry that often feels designed to make you discontent, we want this to be place you come for inspiration, ideas, and encouragement to make the space you're already in feel like home.
Read All Posts
let's break this thing up

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

01

Portfolio

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
read more
02

Projects

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
read more
03

Design

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
read more
hello world!

looking for inspiration?

Blue bonus room with paneled ceiling and Frame TV
Design

My Formula for When to Paint the Ceilings a Color and When Not To

Here's something you don't need me to tell you, but I'm telling you anyway: You get to choose whether you want to paint your ceiling or not! But, still, almost daily, I get asked "Why don't you paint that ceiling the color of the walls?" If you've never tried painting a ceiling and you're considering […]
A bowl of Thai-Inspired Basil Beef Stir-Fry with jasmine rice
Chris Cooks

Thai-Inspired Basil Beef Stir Fry

I'm back at it today with the Asian-inspired flavors. I always seem to lean that way in my recipes, but why would I use less flavor when I can fill my kitchen with the scent of ginger, garlic, and chilies?! Thai Basil Beef is one of my all-time favorite things to order for takeout. What […]
Sales

The Best Presidents' Day Sales: Home, Tech, Apparel & More

We're halfway through February, and the first big sale weekend of the year is here! You know we love curating the best Presidents' Day sales for you in one spot. (It makes my life easier too when I want to check my favorite retailers!) It's a big deal weekend for major appliances, tech devices, and […]
Design

7 Things You Probably Shouldn't Have in Your House—If You're a Perfectionist

While I don't consider myself a perfectionist, I do like things neat—most of the time. It's important to me that my home is beautiful and lived in. I want it filled with laughter, joy, and life. If that means a few nicks and spills? That's fine with me. Even so, over the years of home […]
Learn With Us
Want to do what we do? Get the tools, mentorship, and training to be a Good Influencer professionally.
Learn More
Looking for Something?

SEARCH THE BLOG

We've been doing this since 2009 and we've posted a whopping 24145+ blog posts and counting. You might need a little help searching, huh?

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

hello world!
Follow Along on Instagram
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
© 2025 Chris Loves Julia, LLC
PRIVACY POLICYTERMS & CONDITIONSAFFILIATE DISCLAIMERSITE CREDITCOMMUNITY GUIDELINES