Home Decorating Space of the Week: How One Mom Turned the Awkward Spot Under the Stairs Into a Home Office The entire makeover took just one day to complete. By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on June 15, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Medina Grillo When Medina Grillo, a Birmingham, England-based designer, was planning a study area for her 9-year-old son, she knew what she didn't want: anything in his bedroom, and any place out of her sight, since she had to monitor his internet use during homework time. Then Medina noticed the space beneath the stairs in her living room, and-eureka!-she tapped her DIY know-how to transform the nook on a budget in a single day. She often works from the space too, and loves being around her family when they're hanging out on the sofa. Medina Grillo This Colorful Studio Is Full of Ideas for a Happier Home Office Rather than painting the walls, Medina took a cue from the raw wood pieces in the adjacent entryway and nailed up wood slats, which warm up the alcove. Dark touches, like the chair and light fixture, echo the charcoal-colored stairs. To get a work surface that fit the sloped space, Medina cut the edge of an inexpensive tabletop at a 45-degree angle. Since it's bracketed to the wall, she didn't need to buy table legs, but a rolling cart adds storage and support below. Medina Grillo Get the Look: 01 of 05 Rolling Storage World Market $90, worldmarket.com Filing cabinets aren't exactly known for being stylish-but this compact option is sleek. With six drawers, there's lots of space to hide papers, bills, mail, and notebooks out of sight. 02 of 05 A Clip-On Task Lamp Home Depot $12, homedepot.com The area under the stairs wasn't wired for overhead lighting, so Medina incorporated a clamp-on task lamp for illumination. Try this affordable design trick anywhere you need a little extra light in your home. 03 of 05 Upgrade Your Office Chair Wayfair $200 for 2, wayfair.com Since this area was designed for homework sessions rather than eight-hour workdays, a chic faux-leather dining chair stands in for the ergonomic office chair. 04 of 05 Woven Baskets Target $25, target.com Just because it's a work space doesn't mean you can't have fun with the accessories. A woven basket in a sweet tulip shape collects rolled-up art projects, kraft paper, and more. 05 of 05 Art in Focus Minted From $24, minted.com Look for artwork and frames in neutral colors and soothing themes to prevent workplace distractions. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit