Project Vibrant Thing: A $2000 Home Office + Guest Suite Makeover
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Well, $2115 to be exact. Before we get into the budget breakdown, let’s talk through the design details. Affectionately named after the Q-Tip song “Vibrant Thing”, this lively, dual function home office and guest suite is set for full productivity and hosting overnight guests. See the full project portfolio here.
Location: Tampa, FL
Project Timeline: Jan. 2025 - Mar. 2025
Project Spend: ~ $2100
Photography: Me
Before
The Site Details
an older, flipped, bungalow style home
low ceilings & narrow walkways
beige walls, vinyls floors
pet friendly
Design Direction
The design intent was to transform this lifeless bedroom into an inviting and colorful multifunctional home office & guest room on a $2000 budget. My client wasn’t utilizing the room and wanted to have an inviting space for overnight guests as well as an inspirational space to work from during her WFH days.
This client is DIY savvy and has a sense of style that speaks to her personality. Sometimes in the DIY process, though, you realize you need to phone in professional guidance along the way. That’s where we came in — servicing her with an in person consultation where I could see the space in person and give her design advice on everything from best paint colors, optimal furniture placement and stores to shop to achieve the look she was going for.
The paint color was between two options: yellow gold or deep blue. This room is in the back of the house with lots of natural light so I advised her to pick the shade as it brings a bit of drama with the depth of color, but still feels inviting. We decided to still use the yellow as an accent color in the curtains and pillows along with pops of complimentary colors throughout.
Budget Breakdown
The $2000 budget for this project needed to cover my designer’s fee, fees for hired labor, furnishings, decor and materials. Knowing this, we worked together on a consultative basis and she decided to outsource the painting. The budget breaks down as follows:
Professional Services: Designer, Painter - $600
Furniture: Desk, Sofa Bed, Accent Cabinet, Bookcase, Side Table, Desk Chair, Ottoman - $800
Decor: Rug, Curtains & Hardware, Blinds, Pillows, Lamp, Wall Art, Faux Plants, Bookends - $700
I shared a visual of this budget breakdown on my Insta here.
After
My client completed her project in a little less than two months. She hired a painter for the walls while I assisted with the art and bookcase install. Everything came together seamlessly which made the final styling a breeze. She’s an avid reader so her book collection was plentiful for styling. The vibrant colors with layered textures and patterns delivered on the lively office and guest room that she requested. Lastly, Cheers to less white walls in 2025 and beyond!
Budget Friendly Interior Design Tips
We made that $2000 stretch! I firmly believe that interior design is for everybody. If your budget is smaller, the first thing to do is figure out what you can DIY and where you need a professional. In this case, hiring us for an In Person Consultation and outsourcing the painting was the most efficient for the overall project goals.
And, speaking of paint, it’ll always be the biggest bang for your buck. Simply changing a room’s paint color (don’t forget the ceiling) can make the biggest impact in a space. Depending on your skills and time, you can DIY it to save money on labor costs.
For furnishings, sourcing stores like Home Goods, Home Sense, Wayfair, Amazon and second hand sites (hey Facebook Marketplace) provided plenty of stylish and affordable options for this makeover. Local thrift stores and estate sales are great for finding unique pieces to elevate your design.
Last, but certainly not least, shop your home! There may be some items throughout your home that look and function better in a different rooms. With this makeover, we grabbed the floor lamp from the front entryway to add task lighting and the side table from the living room to sit beside the sofa bed.
Cabinet: Bed Bath & Beyond | Curtains: Amazon | Plant: Amazon | Planter (similar): Amazon | Bookcase: Wayfair | Rug: Wayfair | Desk (similar): My Cura Home | Sofa Bed: Wayfair: | Side Table: Thrifted | Gallery Art: Facebook Marketplace | Large Art (Similar): Amazon | Floor Lamp: Wayfair
If you’re needing assistance with your home project, whether it’s design advice or a full design plan, we’d love to collaborate with you to bring your ideas to life. Raise your hand if decision fatigue is real and the pieces you have just aren’t coming together how you envisioned it. No matter where you live, we can reduce the overwhelm and help you achieve that design you’ve been dreaming of. Through our online interior design services, we help ambitious professionals like you create homes that are true reflections of your personality and culture. Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, we help you design a space you love—all online. We’re only one call away!