While reminiscent of the childhood room of the "boy who lived" Harry Potter in terms of location, this small space makeover has another tie to the world of movie making. This previously underutilized storage closet is now the home to a second studio and editing suite for Apartment Therapy reader Christopher's growing wedding video business.
The addition of a big chalkboard-painted wall adds drama and functionality as a giant organizing tool. As Christopher says, "I’m constantly scribbling ideas down and didn’t want to limit myself to a pen and paper — a chalkboard wall works well for me!" The contrast of the dark wall against the adjacent white walls also makes the most of the unusual angles of the space.
Installing carpet tiles (a renter friendly solution) in a dark charcoal continues the color scheme, covers the terracotta colored tile and warms up the space, making it both more comfortable and finished.
In a tall room with a small footprint, the vertical space is extra important, especially for a workspace. It's well utilized here, with decorative wall shelves, functional racks filled with movies and equipment and wall mounted lighting. An injection of personality and color in the form of comic themed framed prints finishes off the look.
More info on the project: Office Space Renovate to Create
Thanks for sharing the project, Christopher!
Images: Christopher Sotelo






Nomade Express Slee...
Well done!
Awesome! I, too, heart carpet tiles in charcoal.
Very nice!
This is fantastic! I want a cool space to revamp like that! Love the chalkboard wall. And the pup.
in nyc, we call that a studio apartment
whoaaaaaaaa! love that!!!
why does it look like they're peeing on the chalkboard in the 3rd pic? what the heck are they doing?
awesome!
This is one of my favorite before-and-after job posts ever!
@loislane, I was wondering about the same!
nice stuff!
9 times out of ten the word 'before...' on a photo makes me click through.
pretty stoked that our home studio made it! thanks for the kind comments everyone :)
@pier723 and @loislane - the thought crossed my mind when i posted that picture too LOL.
i'm writing out my editing queue and my brother is drawing a digital slr on the wall!
Definitely a cool office
That is awesome.
I'm always scheming to turn my closets into offices, but ultimately, I need my closets as closets. This is fantastic.
I once had a closet like this that I used as an office. I wish I had thought of the blackboard wall. Nice.
It's a nice office and I like the chalkboard wall. It looks cool. But I remain confused as to why these "closet" to office/studio renovations seem to amaze people. Is it really such a revelation that if you have a little room big enough for some furniture, you can put some furniture in it and use it for something? I mean, I guarantee you that if those of us living in truly small cramped spaces had a "closet" like that, it wouldn't go to waste storing crap.
I salute anyone who can take an under-utilised space and turn it into a hipster storage area. It's been beautifully done and it's so practical!
Like the chaklboard wall but I would need more light.
I would definitely need more light plus the lack of a window kills it for me.
hahaha @ blandwagon!!
This is an awesome space!
Nice transformation. Bad picture number 3.
Seriously. Why do they want to show off their peeing stances?
wha, looks GREAT. love what youve done to the space.
Always thought the chalk board walls were such a fun idea. However what happens to the chalk once you erase the board? Builds up on the floor?