It's been 2 weeks since I shared all the lighting I chose for the bonus room, and we have made so much progress in that space since then. We started with installing the paneling, but rerouted when we decided to install a transom above the door. A follower suggested we put in a pocket door and I thought, "why wouldn't we?" It's already a tight space with the lockers and desk right there, so it would be nice to cut down on the amount of swinging doors. This is just a classic case of "if you give a mouse a cookie." Both the pocket door and transom needed to be installed before we can finish the paneling, which is why we did some pivoting. Not to mention the floating desk! Anyways, it's all in now and I wanted to show some progress in the bonus room since it's come so far! Stay tuned for tutorials on how to do all of these things yourself!
Before
Bonus Room Today
The Pocket Door and Transom
This is the area that has probably changed the most, don't you think? A new floating desk, a transom, pocket door, and paneling! I love seeing it all coming together.
Before
Today
Deciding to install a pocket door here is going to make a big difference. See how in the before the door opened up to where the floating desk now is? First of all, this door will probably stay open a lot of the time since there's no need to really have it closed for privacy. It's a family hang-out area with people coming in and out. And also closing it will be a breeze. I'm also so happy to have a transom to match the style of the rest of the house.
Installing the Floating Desk
Before
Today
You can see how that little wall that jutted out before? We want that all to be flushed so we built it out and that will all get covered with the paneling. Even those brackets below the desk are going to get covered with paneling so it will look like a true floating desk. Also picture a shelf above the desk, and a double shaded sconce above that!
Still-to-come
Next up, we'll be adding window seating to both of the recessed dormers. We're drawing up plans for those, which will include storage for extra blankets, and gaming equipment. Oh and I'm on the hunt for somebody to sew some custom window seating cushions for those as well! Once those are in, we can finish the paneling, trim out the doors and windows and prep for paint!
Before
By the time Thanksgiving comes around, we'll be getting cozy in this room again. So looking forward to that. Also I highly recommend taking progress photos of any project you're doing along the way. Such a good reminder to see how far you've come when you're in the middle of it.
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I see you have this room painted on Instagram but not updated on here. Would you please tell us the paint color you chose! It’s beautiful!! Thank you.
Stiffkey Blue by Farrow & Ball!
Looking so good. I wanted to suggest the pocket door too and I vote for drawers on the window seats if you can the games will be easier to get to and keep tidy
This is amazing! Do you have a tutorial for the desk?!?!?! Thank you!!!
Working on one!
I wish I would have taken a few before photos of our home when we bought it. I didnt bother because at the time I thought no, I just want to get to the after part and move forward! Lets leave this mess in the past! Memories fade and it would be nice to look back and see just how far we came and what we did. I love your daily posts and inspiration. This new house really seems to be moving along. Sending you all of the good renovation luck! 😁
I had the idea to replace our bathroom door with a pocket door, and I feel like a genius every time I walk past it. I love how space-saving and tidy they are. Excellent choice!
where is this bonus room located in your house?
Right above the kitchen
That wood on the floating desk is gorgeous!!
All beautiful updates, but it's the shutters off the windows that make me breathe an unstrangled sigh of relief!
Me too!
I LOVE this! We’re in the middle of a huge remodel and I’m having trouble finding the primed paneling. Could you please link what you used?
Check out this post! https://chrislovesjulia.com/diy-how-to-add-a-planking-to-any-wall-or-room/
Wow! You guys are getting it DONE in there! That is SO much work and I can't WAIT to see the finished product. I'm not sure what color you'll be painting, but just a thought under the floating desk to paint that in a semi-gloss (same as trim) just for swinging foot scuffs, etc. It will hardly be a noticeable sheen difference because it will be shaded by the desk, but thought I'd throw it out there in case you hadn't considered it. Keep up the AMAZING work!
I'm going to go ahead and say it -- I feel like this may be my favorite room in your house! (The finality of that statement TBD once the kitchen's done. :)) Love everything about this room, from the design to the function!
Are you still planning to paint all the paneling dark? It looks so nice and light and bright in the room!
Still deciding!;)
Could you extend the window seats into the room and have them wrap into a connecting bench between the windows? Just looks like they might be a bit tight/upright for sitting. Or just make them plain storage and forget the seats, esp if you have 2 couches?
Looks amazing! I really love a pocket door, as well, and am often pushing them on my parents for different spots. However, we all find that they're not great at containing sound between two spaces. Is this something you've encountered? If so, have you found any expert ways to combat it? Thank you for sharing everything!
Meg we have lots of them and they are the same as all our doors (soild wood) so the sound isn't an issue. We have them for the mudroom, closets, master bathroom. Love pocket doors.
Looks great. It is incredible how just taking down the shutters updated the windows. They felt really 90s before and now they feel current and just right for the house. I thought you had replaced them but when I looked at before pictures I realized they are the same ones!