Let's Design My Creative Studio / Office ✨| Garage Loft Build 

This video was sponsored by June’s Journey. Download June’s Journey for free now: cherrypick.gg/DIYDanieJJ-Jan

When designing your stair landing, remember what you are going to be carrying up and down the stairs. Make sure to allow room for your future plans carrying things up and down the stairs.

Things to consider… or that I would… 1. You don’t want your coffee station getting full of dust so might be better in the office. 2. You probably don’t want to be leaning over cabinets to write on the whiteboard. 3. You’re more likely to put things away the more convenient it is. Putting the storage room door on the other wall (where you wanted the couch) would be more convenient in my opinion. Unless you plan on using the things in the storage room in your office. 4. The more you add on the stairs, the more likely you are to knock stuff down when carrying things

White boards above cabinets are more difficult to write on than when the board is in a flat wall. Learned that at work!

As far as the landing at the top of the stairs, make the landing as large as possible. Think about having an armload of supplies and the room you will need to maneuver to open the door. Thanks for including us in your brainstorming session. Whatever you do will be incredible, and I can’t wait to see it come to life! 💛

I would suggest you use the industrial window for the upper part of the diagonal wall above the stairs too. You will give yourself better light going up and down the stairs for safety. You can still add shelves too there.

Ok, I just gotta say this would be a super cool collab with Alexandra! And since you’ve made some amazing projects for her space, Graham could build something for your space!! I just love it when your two amazing brains get together...

I would consider not walling off completely the area by the stairs. That way bigger objects can just be hoisted over it. Also full window sliding door separating office to let the side dormer window light come into your office as well and definitely put coffee bar area into your office area next to the window. You could have a built in fridge under for food as well and a window bench seat storage combo for in front of the window. Can't wait to see the finished room.

DIY the circular window but as a light! That way you cover fun lighting but you also have something that's removable if you outgrow it in the future. And you can move it around too so if you wanna change your space design that's an option!

That's one thing that a lot of DIY videos don't spend too much time on--the process of brainstorming. I appreciate you just having a whole video devoted to just.. thinking things through and letting folks participate in that. 🥰 I work in software, and I see all the time that people come to me with wants. Often, what they ask me for directly is not actually what they need in order to accomplish the task. What you really need to do is to ask yourself, what do you already do, and how can we best serve that need? For storage, you want to keep the materials close to where it will be used. To know that, you need to figure out where you want to put certain tools/workstations. For the "landing area" for the stairs, you should really consider what you'll be doing--you'll probably have heavy items and lumber constantly coming up and down those stairs. You don't want a teensy landing area frustrating that's too small and could be potentially dangerous! That considered... pulley system outside one of the windows? 😅

Just a suggestion for the entryway...keep in mind the opening and keeping whatever design you go with to be open enough so when/if you do bring new things up (or out of) the space that you've got the room to maneuver. So that whatever it is, you don't have to take it apart in order to get it up and down the stairs. I'm sure you've already considered this, but I thought I'd mention it. I'm excited to see the end result!

In your cupboard non-locker storage... For the bottom, group like things together and have it stored on a cart so it can roll out to your worktable. Then you are not moving them back and forth or make sure the cupboards have power in them so that you can work right from there.

Hey, Danie! Since you've asked... What about putting the office on the opposite side so you'd have the natural light on your left, as you're right handed. The rest of your plan doesn't change at all, you just flip everything! Anyway, in general consider the natural light in regards of your desk. It would be a bummer if you make an excellent office only to realise that the natural light doesn't halp you at all! Can't wait!

It could be really great to make your whiteboard mobile - sort of like the Elloven from IKEA! And, for your desk area - if you’re taking virtual meetings there, considering the backdrop of that. Love all of this!! ❤

To make the most of the stairs and wall I re-add my stairwell idea from the planning video for the shop: window system, enclose stairwell, door at bottom, mobile storage; many uses in one place. Put the door at the bottom of the stairs and enclose the stairwell. Thus you keep all the dust and whatnot from the shop in the shop, give yourself added wall-space downstairs, and you don’t have to worry so much about wipeouts while carrying things up the stairs AND maneuvering a door. If you want you could also put a door at the top or you could put in a pocket door since you have already sealed out the dust from the shop. But the stairs could be the buffer zone between the shop and studio. For extra bonus, put in windows for the top half of the wall upstairs. Those will give you some natural light for the stairwell and allow you to see anyone coming up the stairs if you don’t hear them. AND given the right windows you could incorporate a pulley lift system from one of the windows for smaller projects. No, seriously. We used to do this in my Grandma’s stairwell over the railing. If you have a basket or crate attached to a line, then a pulley attached to the wall upstairs, you can let the box down, fill it, go upstairs and retrieve it from the window. You can still have some storage there or have your pulldown backdrop system over this window. OOH, a sliding glass door system instead of a full wall. Giving you window lighting and access if needed to open for larger items coming up the stairs. Then have your backdrop system hanging above that to make most use of space with mobile storage cabinets lining the bottom half.

I love the L shaped desk layout for the office - the only thing I might think about with that is the potential for glare from the window on your monitor/computer screen

I would add some floor outlets since you will have access to the electrical from below its the perfect time to put them in. That way you dont trip over a long extension cord to the middle room. ❤❤❤

Consider using plug covers to prevent sawdust/dirt/paint in your outlet. Remember the cool vintage brass outlets in the floor in old houses? That would look so cool! Love all your creative energy. Thanks for including the planning stage. It’s so fun to hear all your ideas.❤

Love all the comments so far! I have a small idea for the whiteboard: I recently saw The Sorry Girls use a big picture frame as a whiteboard. They painted the frame itself and one side of the glass so they had a monochrome modern whiteboard. The painted side of the glass was the backside later of course. If you want to check that out it's the "making is office over while he's out of town"

Love the ideas! One thing I may suggest is maybe have the storage room big enough so if you are able to convert it into a bathroom later, the walls and layout is already set up and it's easy to add

My suggestion is for very inexpensive wood floors you can get paint and stain all over. A lot of your inspo pics had old messy wood floors in them. It would add a lot to the creative aesthetic, I think. And you can throw rugs down as needed for warmth in your office space, or in the seating area, etc.

Do the wall of windows!!! Love it!

I vote for the window wall where the door also is part of, I’m thinking from the light point of view and also whatever happens in the other side of the studio will be part of the “wall decor” of the office and can it be made fun and adds the possibility of change without actually having to change anything in the office. :) Maybe even some rainbow decal stickers on the other side so when the light passes from the studio window wall it can for small rainbow rays of lights on the other side.

Wow, this is going to be a super fun journey! A lot of folks already had similar ideas. 1. No white board above cabinets, hard to write on. 2. Cork flooring, it's sustainable, has some sound absorbtion, and is softer on the feet. 3. When filming, you'll want to consider the backlight coming from the office into the studio. You might need pull down shades or you could use that for the photography space, double duty. Whatever you do will be amazing and will always be in flux. Can't wait to be taken along for the adventure.

I would love a follow up video where you incorporate feedback and talk through your new vision for this space. Your noodle process is so fun and informative 😊

For flooring - Use Linoleum that you can customize. You can get amazing colors and patterns!

I think the wash station needs to be near the coffe station. You dont want to pull water all over the place. So maybe sacrifice a cabinet at the coffe corner, tile the top wall, but a whitepoard over it? And ofcourde a bin with weels on it is a must & an ON AIR light in the stairwell to let people know before they come in. (we use the monstera leaf light as on air light

Consider Carpet in the office, also if you get extra carpet tiles, you can replace the damaged carpet when you want. But laminate/lino for the studio for easier cleanup.

So looking forward to seeing this space come together! My big suggestion is have the board in the office on the wall with the storage rooms pocket door! It’ll b really helpful when brainstorming new vid ideas without taking up potential backdrop space! If you put a board above cabinets you might not be able to utilise the entire board which would be a shame! I would suggest putting the photo space where the other dormer is instead of by the door. If you’re in the middle of taking photos and someone comes in or you pop out and come back it could ruin a photo or something could get knocked over! Plus natural lighting makes a massive difference for photography! Plus you could put a full blackout blind over that dormer window which you could pull down like a projector screen if you need to block out that light! Plus a large screen would be useful for other DIYs!

I think you should leave a decent sized landing at the top of the stairs so if you’re carrying supplies or a piece of equipment, you have enough room to set it down and then open the door. I also like the part solid window wall but maybe rotate the diagonal 180 degrees (up to the right) so you can have floor to ceiling wall space for storage but you also get the light coming though and feeling of open space. Good luck with the journey!

First desk layout in the office for sure. Someone else mentioned the glare from the window on your computer screen. Plus in the first layout you can see out your glass wall to see anyone coming into the studio, but also see out the window and to the door into the office itself. Pretty sure that’s the “command position” (from following @dearmodern). The circular wall window sounds amazing, but I’m glad it’s you and not me making that lol. It’s a huge space to imagine but we know you’ll get it to where it needs to be!

I really admire those huge windows. If it was my space, i would put a bench/storage combo there with comfy blankets and pillows. A nice place for a morning coffee, some setching and cuddling Kenobi ❤️

As you don't have a sink, it might be useful to have a mini fridge near the drinks station so you can keep bottles of water in there. Also, did you see the studio makeover that they did on the Nerdforge channel where they used a TV behind a faux window frame to create a stunning background? This gave them the option to change the 'view' should they want to mix things up later which is clever. In another part of their studio, they recreated a scene from a video game which was fascinating. I can see you recreating the bat cave complete with a pole so you can slide down to the level below in the event of DIY Disaster emergencies!

As the wife of an electrician, the "moderate amount of plugs that work within our constraints" joke sent me 😂 For the office, I think a window bench for Kenobi with built in storage could be a good solve! And for the landing/entry into the space, I think it might be helpful to think about if you'll be carrying heavy/awkward sized things into the space. If you're doing a big epoxy pour in the studio for instance, you'll probably want enough space on the landing to not have to worry about tripping on the steps pivoting big materials through the door.

With the marvel window Idea: If you start with a normal square window and build a removable attachment on top that makes it round you could later remove the attachment have go back to a cleaner look. Or change shapes depending on your mood or video or whatever :-)

Wow. What a wonderful space to design. 1. When coming up the steps square out the landing before the door. You,ll be glad you have a solid landing space when coming up with your hand full. You can put things down when you need to open the door. 2. At the 24 minute mark - go with timeless windows all the way. If you have an L shaped desk in your office you are going to want to see into your studio through those windows. 3. Love the sliding door idea going into the office. 4. The circle graphic (from Loki) design it for the closet/storage wall. Have it set out from the wall and put lighting behind it. That way when/if you get tired of it you can change it out. It also gives you something interesting on that side of the office room. 5. YES to castor/wheels on your workstation in the center of the room 6. Go with as much storage as possible in that first area when you enter the second floor. 7. Love the idea of a brain storming space on the angled wall (with storage below, of course) Best wishes, Danie. All our ❤ from PA, USA.

I would put a big window on most of the office wall where your desk will be. If you make it smaller, you will be cutting off a lot of your view from the desk into the studio area. Also, I think you are going to want as much light as possible in the studio. I love the idea of a window on the stair wall, as suggested by @LisaOsterholt, with storage underneath. That will also let in more light and allow you to see down into the workshop. You could do your nerdy round window here! ♥ I love the idea of a bench under the window in the office, with cubbies underneath for storage. You have such great ideas, Danie! ♥ I'm so excited for you to get started on this huge project! 😄

For the industrial wind/door room divider: remember how you did the shower glass thingy, which you painted, and turned out great. As for the window in the office-to be I'd suggest a combo of a bench (nice for Kenobi) and underneath storage space - I'm so excited what this year brings with those rooms! Just imagine: this time next year we're all watch the summary of Garage-DIY🎊

I would definitely go timeless with the window office wall. Put as many windows as you can and I LOVE your idea of the top half of the door looking like part of the window wall itself. Have you thought about luxury vinyl as flooring? I love all your ideas and can’t wait to see the journey!

Last I remember, you were planning to tear down the she shack where you have that fantastic backdrop that you use in many of your intros? So I think a fantastic window separating your office and studio would be in order. Something you could use for your new backdrop. ... Have you ever tried copper foiled stained glass? It's easier than leaded stained glass and copper foiled stained glass is perfect for interior installations. 💖🌞🌵😷

For the window wall - you could use a big piece of plexiglass and then trim it on both sides into any shape you please. So if you go with a fun nerdy idea, you can just remove the trim and start over with new trim! For the floors, laminate will be great and so easy to clean. Just be sure you click everything together VERY well. They are prone to separating and getting glitter or epoxy in those cracks will drive you nuts 😂

I think you should create a little hallway at the top of the stairs! You can have coat hooks in there and on the other side (inside the studio space) you can have the pull down screen for photography. Love the idea of having shelves and your coffee station on the diagonal wall. For the office, you could consider putting your desk in the center of the room facing the storage space and have cabinets behind you under the ceiling slant. I also do not like having my back to a door or entry!! Carry the windows through to the ceiling slant 😊

15:32 You could put a window seat/bench by that dormer window! Could be a fun place to brainstorm future DIYs! 🤩 Soooo excited about this whole design, I can’t wait to see how it turns out!!!

Huge fan of pocket doors here! And if you custom build it, you can make the width appropriate for whatever you want to come in and out of that space. As an office door that's probably not a big concern, but in other spaces it's a huge help to have them a little wider than your standard pocket doors, which tend to be on the more narrow side of things.

I love the round window. I'm 67 I would have loved it when I was in my 20's. If you love it -- there's some things that you just love forever.

With the landing I was thinking about safety, with hands full and maybe your dog with you, make sure you have enough space. Maybe a larger entryway with one or two sliding doors, so you can easily open it and bring stuff in. ❤

I love your design ideas, as always! For your desk in the office space, I'd like the first idea better. There seems to be coming a lot of light through the window, and it's only January (or Nov/Dec, whenever you filmed this). It think, having the L-shaped desk and sitting on your computer with your back to the window, there would be a lot of glare on your screen and you wouldn't be able to see what you are working on. Except, if you decide to put blinds on the window, which, imo, kind of would be wasting a perfect light source. In my experience, most office spaces have their desks perpendicular to the windows bc of that. Maybe something to think about?

Make a list of: 1. What you NEED in the space. 2. Then what you WANT. 3. Make MULTIFUNCTIONAL. 4. Make walls moveable. 5. Add extra elec outlets.

My 2nd suggestion, is to figure out where you want the water/plumbing to go (for the future) where it makes the most sense and what is easiest. Then to rough in as much as you can. It is so much easier & cheaper to do that when all the walls are open than after. If you don’t you probably will never install it… it will end being too much trouble to do in the future.

I love watching you "talk out" the process.. makes me feel ok about my own processes 😊😂

Interesting! I had a totally different vision for the stair area. I was thinking keep it open so you can easily bring large things into the room. So no wall above the diagonal (leave it open) and use that space for the sofa and seating area.

About the running water... My shed (across from my garden, divided by a shared path) has a garden hose that runs under the path and comes up in the shed and the garden. The garden side has a male connector to which I can connect the normal reeled garden hose. The shed side has a faucet. The former owner used the shed to grow... Organic plant material. In other words: You want simple running water? Just run a garden hose underground to the garage and to near your outside faucet, and connect it when you need it. Easily undone when you have budget for permanent plumbing. Even simpler (but more visible when active) you could have just a male hose connector on the outside of your garage wall, and a faucet on the inside, and run your garden hose to the garage wall whenever you need it.

I don’t know how you don’t have million of subscribers already! I freaking love you and so glad I get to watch your journey. Can’t wait to see how your space turns out. I am so so proud of you! I hope I get to be as amazing as you one day! I am just starting out in DIY home makeovers and I have a lot to learn. I always look forward to your videos. I honestly don’t know how you do it. How do you have the energy for all of this. You’re a superwoman. You are an inspiration and your personality is freaking awesome.

I HAVE GARAGE ENVY AND I AM DEALING WITH IT IN MY OWN WAY. (Mostly by being happy to watch Danie make this incredible space into a fabulous studio!)

23:42 glass all the way. You said you wanted the light from the office window to go all the way into the main room. You also said you wanted to see who's coming up the stairs when you're working on the desktop computer in the corner... that all adds up to glass wall all the way. 💖🌞🌵😷

Carry the glass wall across both walls....and eliminate the wall in front of the 'storage room'...find an antique door with a glass pane that matches (as best you can) the industrial glass wall. and yes! a bench seat in the window.

On the stair wall, what if you had a pony wall that comes straight out perpendicular to the door with some hinged industrial style window above? Creates an exra bit of wall space, lets in light, and hinged window is flexible if you're bringing large or weird shaped items up or down

The partial wall of windows looks like a fantastic idea! That way the light isnt just in one spot, there's natural light on the whole floor. If that makes sense and looking forward to the future videos ❤❤

My idea would be to add an oval track (railing) system over your 360 table so you can put your camera anywhere and it wouldn't take any floor space while filming. I love the window idea for the office space.

Yesss to the full wall of windows, with the window pocket door.

A clear acrylic wall would be awesome! You can use window markers for ideas, and have an opportunity to customize your metal railing incorporating your logo etc...

If I made one suggestion it would be to reconsider walling off that gable area completely! You get so much amazing natural light coming from the three directions! To keep that area closed off for storage/office space but keep the light what if you made two sliding barn doors? One on either side, that way you would also have lots of room to move things in/out but could open to let that natural light in. I’m so excited to see all the creative magic that will happen in this space ❤

1 - full wall of glass 2 - coffee/beverage spot across the sofa 3- allow room for you to carry things up. (Go with Jeff’s idea for the stairways) 4- don’t leave the other side open, use the wall that is touching the cabinets in the entry area for a writing space. 5- build a L desk on the “empty space” for crafts like sewing, cri-cut and so on.

I was thinking the office might be a nice place to have a reprieve from the productive chaos of the rest of the studio. For this reason, having the desk looking directly through the wall of windows might not be the best way to achieve that. Of course, this might not be a concern of yours! However, when I’m personally in the middle of a project and need to step away or switch gears into a different headspace, I like for the physical environment I move into to be calming, inspiring, and separate from the space I was just working in. Looking directly out the window to the project I’m stepping away from would personally stress me out. But again, that’s a personal anecdote and may not be a limiting factor for you! I’m so excited for you, by the way!! I’ve loved your content for years!

Planning with you is so much fun. You have such great ideas. What I love is the industrial window between the office and studio. You didn’t add the sink area which I suggest putting on the angle wall and the potential coffee area. A white board would look great on that wall. It is going to be so fun seeing this space become the studio/office of your dreams ❤

This was so cool to see your inspiration! Three thoughts that I had while listening. 1) the wall to the stairs could be where you have the big roll of backdrop up top and cabinets below. 2) have the coffee station in your office to one side of the window. 3) you can slide a pocket door into the area that will be storage in your office since the storage space will be enclosed anyway. I also realised you didn’t really make suggestions for where the coat area should go. I’d suggest close to the staircase or in your office so they are out of the way. Looking forward to these projects!

Thank you for inviting us to noodle with you! This is so exciting. I can't wait to see what your beautiful Creative Nerd Beast brain comes up with! Stair Entry: Wide as possible, maybe no door at all, but rather thick thermal drop curtains? That'd let you keep 'em tightly furled & the space wide open most of the time, for carrying gigantic Creative Beast projects, but let you drop 'em to protect from sound/sawdust/cold downstairs, as needed. Angled Cabinet Wall: Whiteboard will be impossible to reach 50% of over the cabinet for not-Geoffs, but perfect as a window wall drinks station! Light in the stairwell, Gotham-y vantage perch, & most importantly, entry-->hot/cold drink combos-->seating area/central project space is the *perfect* flow to drop directly into a good noodling/Creative Beasting session. Seating Area: Maybe make the storage cabinet under *every* window a storage windowseat bench, for Kenobi & extra butts in bigger noodling seshes? (Also great for coffee break windowgazes.) "Empty" Dormer: As editor mentioned, perfect place for mobile wash station & mobile whiteboard/chalkboard(/combo?) to live, along the locker (cubbies?) wall. Open space will help with bigger project chaos overflow, & general airflow, anyhow. Office Wall: FULL INDUSTRIAL WINDOW WALL W/ TRANSOMS! Love the window-topped pocket door; wide window-topped industrial door, for both aesthetics & storage room access? Leaning into "timeless industrial" could make it full "Birds of Prey" clocktower headquarters you won't grow out of, which already suits the purpose: computers, lots of light windows for overlooking Gotham, urban industrial/vintage academia wood-&-metal L-desk full of pigeonholes & cubbies (shades of Peter Parker's newsroom & typesetting there, too), & a good Comfy Chair w/ tiny hot/cold drinks table in the corner for brooding. You can also pin up project ideas on the windows, classic whodunit/photo lab style! And the iconic window backdrop could even be achieved w/ a freestanding "window" you could hang in the actual dormer window, so you can take it down/swap it whenever you want! Dormer Windows: Thermal/blackout blinds you leave open most of the time, but can lower against Canuck winter/filming glare? Storage Area: As @LisaOsterholt suggested, build w/ intentions to later convert to washroom? Perhaps pocket doors from both office *&* communal area, so folks don't interrupt your workflow for their flow? (I'll see myself out.😅) But that also means making sure the pocket doors are substantial enough for privacy concerns, of both sonic & surprise entry kinds. Flooring/Window Wall(s): Keep an eye out for lots of reclaimed flooring/deadstock? HUGE savings, if you can find it. My folks scored real hardwood reclaimed from a barracks being torn down, for 10% the price of new wood. You could really score if you find a laminate that's being discontinued, for instance, or even several you can paint to match! You might be able to score some/all of the windows for your window wall(s) this way, too, even if it's just for materials for the custom slanted sections, or to make a backlit Kenobi/Creative Beast Bat Signal to put in your office dormer window!

Okay. Here is my idea dump! Switch lounge area to other side of the room. Where you had couch, place paper cabinet + rolling cart or extra table (maybe a round table with large lazy susan?) This would create a hyper activity triangle corner with angle wall + 360 table + extra surfaces. The lounge will be more beautiful in opposite dormer with your feature office window. The side of entry “lockers” could be extended into a wall that includes backdrop roll for photos. Capture natural light and removes a potential mess from entrance. Finally include wash station on angle wall near coffee. The lower cabinets seem ideal for hiding water jugs and proximity to activity zone

I LOVE your design plan!! Especially the industrial windows (and circular one), and laminate flooring. I would definitely put the wash stand in front of that dormer window, and the coffee bar should probably be near it for access to water. I would make a half wall right next to the ascending stairs, no door at all. If you have something big to bring up or down, you won't be hindered by a full wall up to the ceiling.

I would love to see you collaborate with Cliff Tan from Dear Modern (RU-vid channel) on this. He could really help you with the layout.

I would consider peel and stick tiles that are easily replaced, inexpensive and with your creativity you can make whatever colors and patterns you love. If you ruin one tile just replace it. Also do you need a full wall by the stairs? I understand the heat in the winter but what if you need to get projects downstairs that are awkward and don’t fit through a standard door? Pony wall? No way? 😊. Do you really need to shut off areas with full walls? Consider pony walls and or glass walls. You have a gorgeous, open space. My personality wants a daybed under one of those windows for a little snuggle time with the puppy and reading/brainstorming. And don’t forget about storage/decor coming down from the ceiling (if you need it). Congratulations on such a beautiful shop!!!

Re: bathroom options: • "off the grid" toilets • instant "on demand" h2o heater • garden hose h2o hookup

Hi Danie, the circular window idea could be a good idea for the pocket door to the storage space and or the entrace door to your upstairs. I like your idea with the L-shape desk and I would put closed walls to the side and windows only in the middle of the office space. Also you could play with window colors or stickers to change the mood every now and then. For example with "milky" or translucent stickers. The Coffestation I would put near the seating area for brainstorming. I am looking forward to see what you start with!

I love the space! Floors: I would go with LVP (luxury vinyl planks). It looks great, lasts forever, cleans easily, is not expensive, dog friendly... perfect! A 100% YES to the industrial window beetween the office and the film area. It's going to look great!!!

Put locking wheels on EVERYTHING! You want maximum options for your layout. Put a "dutch door" at your entrance. Will help with ventilation AND keep your dog either in or out !

I vote for triangular landing and full wall of windows with the pocket door opening to the other side!

Love the wall of windows with the window pocket door idea! Gorgeous!

For the window wall to your office: i really really like the studio of The SorryGirls, maybe you could do something like that. ☺️

Vote for window all the way across the wall and window in the picket door

Office door idea: Double pocket doors with upper frosted glass centers. Then they could double as a white boards. Or a place to put your brand logo as a backdrop to filming. Throw them both open for maximum light.

There are some great sink options that folks use in van conversions that might work well for a brushes etc sink in the space. Possibly also with a water cooler type thing for potable water and then you've got most of what you'd need without actual plumbing.

I LOVE the angles interior window scape and including the window thru to the pocket door. Obsessed!

I work in a library and we recently turned our computer classroom into a maker space room. Here are some suggestions that might help you in designing your space: (1) Put casters on everything you can! All of our storage and tables have them and it's fantastic for flexibility and clean-up. Our room has glass walls from about waist up so our storage had to be somewhat low. We have 2 custom made units that have butcher block tops where the equipment goes, clear drawers of different sizes that hold materials and tools, and casters so we can separate them as needed. We have several tables that adjust in height, have casters, and can flip up to use as whiteboards when needed. Hope this helps!

Ideas for you! - Door to office necessary? Maybe leave as open doorway? Pocket door seems like best option if so - Go traditional with industrial window look. Will allow for more light to come through. Swirl design will take away light. Maybe you can incorporate swirl elsewhere? On the wall inside of the office where door to the storage room will be? - Have "Love your magic" design from apparel on the main entry door to studio space. - Would be cool to incorporate other designs from your merchandise and DIY DANIE in your space. Maybe stairwell? - White board on wall above red cabinets - Will it be easy to write on considering depth of cabinets though? Maybe put on office wall that divides from storage space. Alternatively, put on wall dividing photo/storage space from studio space (so it's in photo/storage space) Hope this helps! 😊

This is going to be such a fun process to watch you complete. I have to say, I rarely weigh in on these things but I really love the idea of all windows. Doing the angular part as a wall and the remaining part as windows it’s just so linear. Doing a pocket door with windows and a window wall not only allow more light to filter through into your studio space, but it will bring such an interesting design feature to it as well. The other thought I had while you were sharing your thoughts with us was along the window opposite where we sitting area would go. What if you got a few different rolling carts that contained themed supplies? For example, maybe everything you need for your cricut goes in one cart. All the materials for painting goes in another cart. Etc. then you can build a custom shelving unit almost like a sofa table that allows the carts to be nested in there. You could put doors to hide them or leave it open. does that even make sense? I have quite the visual in my mind lol. Either way, I have no doubts that. This is going to be an amazing transformation. Have a great day.

I really like the design you have in mind! I can already imagine how great it will be there. I would consider swap places the storage room and lockers in front of the front door. It seems to me that if you build a wall and make a storage room opposite the door, it will add to the feeling of an entrance hall. And there will be more space in the office, as the closet will be lower and smaller in size, and there will be a single office space.

I suggest you create a large plain glass rectangle or square window somewhere. You could create different cutout overlays to use over top of it, like the Loki window pattern, but swap it out when you get tired of it or have a different idea.

I understand that you don't have water to the building, but you need to plan for your future kitchen and bathroom now before you put up the walls. You could do the rough ins now... (🤫 You could hook up a garden hose between the house and the garage... like they do at RV parks. And put a bucket under the sink to catch the grey water.) 💖🌞🌵😷

I would turn the window area in the office into a gigantic cozy reading nook. Like, a big sitting area in front of the windows, but more like a bed, framed by custom built bookshelfs all over the gable wall.

I also vote for the 2nd layout of office, with L-Shaped desk. Will give more desk area and options.

I would leave the floors as polished concrete and then lay wood floors in your office.

Suggestion! Making the stairs-wall part open, it will open up the space more. There are downsides (heating, dust, noise...) but it flows better in my opinion.

1) Plumbing: very easy if you have a closer look at RVs and off grid homes. 2) Staircase landing, I would keep the upstairs open as is and close off the downstairs instead. Remember your hands will be full when going upstairs. 3) Flooring: cheapest flooring. One piece to be rolled out to cover the entire place which cleans well and allows things to glide easily. 4) Walls: would build them on wheels which allows for diversity and future change, except for the storage space. Movable walls can be decorated on both sides and glass can easily be incorporated. It also doesn’t have to be a large window type, it could be various sizes of stained glass for color, placed sparingly to create your wall design.

Bring the wall around to a 90 degree angle leaving a hallway on the back wall. Put your door on the right and have a large square landing before entering. Add a closet to the left 2/3 or put the door at the end ( left side) and have a long ish hallway to walk down.or Put French doors in and have large doors for moving projects in and out…

I would suggest a wider door and landing to make it easier to bring things up and down. For the cabinets, consider making some of the lower cabinets pull out carts/storage. Sound is important, but i would focus on panels on the ceiling, and choose a hardy less precious floor. I like the long storage wall by the stairs, add a window in the middle with shelves on each side. Continue the cabinets through the corner and towards the window and have your coffee station there. A rolling whiteboard would be useful, you could have artwork or a design on the back to give it a dual purpose.

Make a wall art piece that lights up of the Loki window for the wall for the storage within the office. It will give you the moody feels, and if you get tired of it, it is easy to change.

I’m not a builder what so ever but I do love a good organization moment. When thinking of your storage needs, I’d say that writing down a generalized list of stuff you’ll want to have up there, including the supplies for future projects as much as you possibly can; Every type of supply should have a home. To keep it as clean as possible. Simultaneously writing down what shape you think would best fit each item and how you’ll group them together. That way you’ll know the minimum amount of storage you’ll need and what kind (hooks, drawers, dividers, etc). Better than just thinking “I need a lot of storage”

I vote for the industrial wall which lets the light from the window flow into the other room. Glass all the way across. So you are able to see out from your office. Love the pocket door with glass too.

The stair entrance should be wide enough and have enough clearance to be able to move furniture in and out, as well as accomodate any large projects you may build on the studio space. The coffee station should be somewhere where it would be convenient to the areas where you will be drinking it the most. Also it should be close to wherever the washing station will be to make clean up easier. For writing board, how about one on wheels? That way it can be used in multiple areas, and it can be tucked against the wall when not in used. With the computer placement remember to take glare into account since the office has such a large window. For the filming area, have you considered a top down view? Especially for intricate projects it may be more efficient than moving the tripod constantly, just a thought.

strongly suggest a landing at the top of the stairs before the door. That is an accident waiting to happen-trying to navigate opening or shutting a door while standing on a small step with your arms and hands full of something.