Design Question

What are some things I can do to rearrange/decorate a room for an author-in-progress? Although I still have a lot to learn and still need to improve my writing, I’d like to become an author at some point in time. I write fantasy, mostly. If not fantasy, then romance; or both. I’d like my own space for when I write. My room–my house–is paneling (gah!) so that makes things difficult and uncomfortable. The walls are also hollow, which doesn’t give me the kind of silence I’d prefer.

I love creative rooms. Or, what I would call, “nerd rooms”. (“nerd rooms” consisting of color, mini libraries of books, DVDs, and CDs; movie/band posters on the walls…yet creative, homey things like bean bags, fuzzy carpets, and the like.) Only problem with my dream “nerd room” is money. I’m not quite old enough for a job, and I can’t ask anyone for money.

So, basically what I’m asking is if anyone has some tips on making my room close to a “nerd room” (or at least, more comfortable) till I can actually get some money.

Design Answer

Speaking as a fellow author, I know exactly what you mean – environment is very important to writers and it should be as inspirational as it is comfortable.

The first thing to do is separate writing from sleeping. Even if the room is not spacious, you can create distinct areas by rearranging the furniture so that your desk is not next to the bed, for example. It might not seem like much, but rearranging the furniture can give a “tired” room a little pick-me-up.

Make your writing area as appealing to you as possible. If you haven’t already done so, clear away any clutter. The desk needs to make room for any current projects you have on the go at the moments. The desk chair or office chair you sit in at your desk is almost as important as the desk itself. It should be comfortable. If it isn’t, find a decorative pillow or old pillow that you can recover to use as a seat cushion or backrest. Repurpose a scarf or some other item in your closet or linen closet that is no longer needed.

Go shopping in your house (or raid the garage) for items that no one else is using. You may not find a bean bag chair, but you might find a bed sheet that could be easily transformed into body pillow case and some old pillows or blankets that will do as “stuffing.” Maybe there is shelving in the garage or basement that is not being used to full capacity. See if it can be useful to you in your room. In my very first apartment, a section of utility shelving (still in the box) that didn’t fit in my father’s workshop served as bookshelves for several years until I could afford “real” ones.

If painting is an option, there are ways you can do it on the cheap. If you know someone who has recently done some painting, find out if they’d be willing to give whatever they haven’t used to you in trade – you could do yard work, errands, baby-sit, etc. in return for leftover paint cans.

Visit local garage sales and flea markets toward the end of the day – sometimes they will give or sell for next to nothing things like book shelves, chairs and other items they don’t want pack up to people who are willing to haul the stuff away.

Put pictures on the walls that are meaningful to you. Pick a theme like family members, great American writers or friends or famous people whom you admire and that inspire you. Put them in frames you already have. Or use white cardboard from recycled boxes to make simple mat frames; you could also paint the cardboard a color that matches something else in the room, like the curtains or your bedding.

Dollar stores can be your friend. You can sometimes find really good inexpensive items like picture frames, crafts supplies like glitter pens, and baskets that can be used to organize closets or shelves. You may even find inexpensive wallpaper borders that will give you’re a splash of color or that unique “designer” look.

Make a list of things you would like to purchase for your room and write them down in order of priority. You mentioned a bean bag chair, a fuzzy rug and mini libraries. There’s always occasions when we are given birthday money, gift certificates, etc. Use it for something that will make your “nerd room” a bit more inviting to you.

Good luck with your “nerd room!”

Keep sending me your design questions, and especially if you’re asking for advice regarding wall color, tips on rearranging a specific room etc., include pictures if you can.