Hot Spot Alert: Office is Organized!

Ahhh....  What a great feeling when a mission is accomplished!  There are still a few little details to take care of, but my office is officially no longer a hot spot!

I just posted on Penny Pinching Penguin about the new family room furniture that has allowed much of this office transformation to take place.  Basically, we got a new tv stand so that I can use the old stand in my office space.

First of all, a quick look back.  You can read all the details about this transformation in my two past Hot Spot posts here:

• Initial Post
• Follow-up Post

 Here's a quick picture to remind you of the absolute chaos.

Not much of an office, eh?  Well, now for the AFTER pictures!

First of all, I did a ton of organizing and purging.  You will see a basket full of files - these had been in my file cabinet and are headed to the basement for organized storage in bankers boxes - I am waiting for a few more documents before I put them in storage. 

Next, we moved the console stereo system, lamp, and bookshelf out of the way and moved the old tv stand in.  We put some toys in storage for now.  The horse is still in the room, just beside the new location of the pack n play.  We simply rearranged how the toys were laid out. 

I was able to take all of the diaper changing materials and extra clothes and store them along with toys in the new unit.  I found clear storage boxes at CVS a few weeks back on sale for buy one pack of 5 (for just $6), get one pack of 5 free!  Toys are organized.  Buggy is learning that he can play with one box at a time.  When that box is cleaned up, he can play with another one.

Buggy loves his new "parking space" for his truck.  You can see how the horse fits nicely in here next to the pack n play.

Here you can see the basket of files I mentioned before.  Future plans - get new and nicer magazine storage boxes and inboxes for the corner, get some hanging storage for desk accessories rather than the fluorescent box container thing I currently have.  You can see my favorite initial file system on top of the new unit - this is where incoming mail is sorted immediately.

Notice the huge basket for extra clothes and pack n play bedding (plus a few toys).  I am able to put the shoes and wipes plus other small objects that I store in old wipes containers behind glass.  Buggy's new favorite game has been "empty the wipes container."  With this setup, he can't get to them.... yet.  Notice the storage boxes below.  SUCH a big help!

Lastly, all the diapers, changing pads, and baggies are tucked away out of site (where I can add babyproof latches if the need arises) in the side compartments.

Now, to add some vinyl phrases and artwork to complete the space!

How have you recycled furniture?  Have you improvised on furniture function?  Used a piece for some purpose other than the one intended?  I'd love to hear about it and see pictures!