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Home office - yes or no

Hi all,

Just after a quick bit of advice. At the moment our third bedroom is used as an office, with desk, filing and bookshelves. We are looking to put in a bigger desk and one option is a fitted unit.

However, we are thinking we might move in a year or two and were worried that a fitted office would put off buyers as they would need to do some work to turn this room back into a bedroom.

The room is just about a double so not big enough for a bed and the desk etc.

Thanks for your help.
R
Married MSE style (sort of) 9/10/10 :j
«1

Comments

  • They would have to be extremely lazy to be put off by a fitted desk that can be removed in no more than an hour...
  • robatwork
    robatwork Posts: 7,253 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Don't overestimate the imagination of some house buyers.

    I know that if you are selling a bedroom as a bedroom (not an office), it's much more effective to have a bed in there than a desk. Even if you borrow the bed for "staging", or use a fold up one.

    So my vote is for an office you can dismantle easily next year.
  • If you buy a built in office now, how do you know it will fit the new room when you move? Wouldn't you be better buying some cheap shelving and saving the money you'd spend to go towards the new house purchase?

    Or hire a carpenter, and get them to build something that will allow you to have a bed/settee in there, so the room is dual purpose for when you come to sell.
  • Yorkie1
    Yorkie1 Posts: 11,929 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    There was a similar thread on here a year or so ago, I think, and the consensus then was not to install anything too fitted for the reasons given above.
  • Seems more moneysaving to buy furniture you can take with you when you move.
    Decluttering, 20 mins / day Jan 2024 2/2 
  • ethank
    ethank Posts: 2,197 Forumite
    Holiday Haggler I've been Money Tipped!
    Why do this if you are going to move next year? It is not going to add any value. Just obtain something from your local swedish furniture store that can be thrown up in five minutes!
  • Annisele
    Annisele Posts: 4,835 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    ethank wrote: »
    Just obtain something from your local swedish furniture store that can be thrown up in five minutes!

    I want a local swedish furniture store like yours. Take down in five minutes, sure - but put up?

    To the OP, I agree with the others; no point getting fitted furniture that you can't take with you.
  • vansboy
    vansboy Posts: 6,483 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    In my flat, I have a (bed)room which has desk, filling cupboard and dining table with chairs.

    A couple that came to view, said they thought they could possibly get a bed in there, instead.

    The room 12' x 15'!!! So no problem when we had double bed and bedroom furniture in it, but it doesn't always work with what some people can or cannot visulise.

    So an easy to remove desk and office stuff, is all you need for now,

    VB
  • getmore4less
    getmore4less Posts: 46,882 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper I've helped Parliament
    edited 21 September 2014 at 11:04PM
    Whats the target market for the area?

    A fancy office will appeal to a section of the market but not those looking for 3 bedrooms.

    Would using one of the other two larger rooms as dual purpose be an option


    I would avoid fitted anyway there are plenty of free standing options that work.


    When you say just a double how big are you talking?

    We have a box room 2.5m ish and this will just take a double and we have two desks two large shelf units and other bits all free standing.

    as long as you don't need a large screen >24" these corner desks are great if you can find them(got mine years ago from Texas)

    Corner-Desk-Ikea-for-Home-Office.jpg
  • Didn't put our buyer off making bid on our house. Don't have fitted office furniture but do have corner desk,cabinet, printer etc.., Prospective buyers only need to use their imagination & not beyond the scope of majority.
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