Create a Cozy Home Office

Before: Underutilized Space

When Candace Schlosser and her husband inherited a grand piano, their home office got the boot. "The only place I could think to put our computer was a small butler's pantry we walk through between the dining room and the kitchen," she says, "but we still needed storage space there for our kitchen and entertaining supplies."

Decorating Editor Fran Keenan convinced her that one little room could have many purposes. "Let your space work for your needs," she says. "Are you doing your house any favors by having a useless room?"