Home Library Makeover: Dark Academia Office for Fantasy Reader ✨
For all you book lovers and dreamers out there — this episode is for you! After a long day of DIY adventures, there’s nothing I love more than curling up with a good book and escaping into a world brimming with magic, romance, and dragons. Imagine my delight when I discovered that the newest member of our DIY team, Vanessa, shares this same love for all things fantasy!
Vanessa has recently joined our team full-time, so I wanted to welcome her with a proper gift: a spruced-up home office that suits her magical style and helps her slay our DIY projects. She had a few pain points in her current office that needed fixing, including:
A small renter-friendly space
Limited storage and shelving
An open closet for her kitty’s needs
A desire to blend her love of fantasy, dark academia, witchy vibes, and vibrant colours without painting an entire room.
With this in mind, it was time to roll up our sleeves, gather our tools, and get DIYin’.
VANESSA’S OFFICE SPACE
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Looking for the decor items featured in this episode? Find the full list on my ShopMy page!
Specialty Tools Used:
Plunge saw with track (no plunge saw? Easily swap this tool with a circular saw!)
Binding barrels - to secure IKEA Bookcases together
Ryobi cut off tool with metal cutting blade
Drill press
Jig saw
Carbon Transfer Paper
Oil-Based Metallic Paint Pen
Dremel
Sander 100-320 grit
Kreg Hardware jig
Chapter One: Ikea Billy Bookcase (The Bookshelf of Many Worlds)
Where else could we start but with the star of any fantasy-filled space — the bookshelf? After all, every epic tale needs a home for its many volumes. Vanessa had amassed a noble collection of novels, textbooks, and whimsical knickknacks that deserved a place of honour.
Enter the IKEA Billy Bookcase corner unit— a sturdy, reliable staple that fits the dimensions of her office walls perfectly. I painted it in “Secluded Woods,” a lush, deep green from Behr that evokes the mystery of a hidden forest.
Of course, magic takes effort (and a bit of elbow grease). First, I sanded the shelves, primed them, and then applied three coats of Secluded Woods. For those of you who want to embark on your own Ikea-painting journey, I’ve created a quick 60-second video with all my tips and tricks. Trust me — the results are worth it.
To add an extra touch of functional charm, I added cabinet doors at the base (IKEA Option) for hidden storage and fastened burnished gold hardware that feels straight out of a treasure chest. A place for stories, a place for secrets. Perfection!
Chapter Two: Work from Home Desk (A Desk Fit for a Heroine)
Every great adventurer needs a place to strategize, write their own tales, and plot their next moves. For Vanessa, that meant a custom desk that was as functional as it was magical.
I started with a beautiful piece of 25x72 acacia lumber from Home Depot, which I cut into an L-shape for maximum workspace. Supported with sturdy brackets, this desk became a cornerstone of productivity. But I wasn’t about to stop there. I wanted to add a touch of enchantment — something uniquely Vanessa.
Her favourite author is Sarah J. Mass and I wanted to bring this author's fantasy-filled world into her space in a subtle way. Using carbon paper, I stenciled a special sword inspired from the SJM series “Throne of Glass” onto the desk’s surface. I carefully carved the design into the wood using a dremel. The desk was stained with the colour Jacobean by Miniwax and sealed with a satin finish. The end result? A workspace fit for both work and wonder.
Chapter Three: Reading Chair (The Throne of Comfort)
A true reading nook is sacred ground for any book lover. Vanessa needed not just a desk chair for her daily grind, but a cozy armchair to curl up in with her favorite stories.
For her computer chair, I found the perfect option on Amazon, the Wide Office Chair Armless Vanity Chair — roomy, adjustable, and perfect for long days of creating. Finding the ideal reading chair, however, was a quest all its own. I scoured thrift stores like a treasure hunter until I unearthed the chair: plush, comfortable, and in just the right tones to match our palette.
To make space for this newfound treasure and also add a large dark colour block onto the white walls (we were aiming for a more dark academia inspired space), I removed the closet door (which awkwardly swung into the chair’s space).
Then I hung a curtain from a brass rod instead. Bonus points: this clever solution still allows Vanessa’s kitty to access her cozy abode within the closet.
Chapter Four: Office and Library Decor (The Details That Bring Magic to Life)
Here’s where the real magic happened. Vanessa’s office needed to reflect her personality — a rich tapestry of fantasy, dark academia, and colorful whimsy. Armed with my trusty moodboard, I ventured to Etsy, thrift stores, and local markets to find the perfect mix of art and trinkets.
Highlights include:
Colourful prints that pop perfectly against our moody palette, Such as THE READER TAROT
A stained-glass window decal that adds an ethereal glow to the space
A whimsical (temporary) diy dragon tapestry that holds down the fort while our official one soars its way through transit
We styled the bookshelves with curated second-hand found knickknacks, added a vintage distressed rug for warmth, and layered in soft pockets of light with new fixtures and candles. Every detail came together to create a space that feels like stepping into a moody library.
The Grand Reveal
After weeks of sanding, painting, building, and styling, Vanessa’s home office transformation was complete. What was once a small, disjointed space had become a cozy, fantastical oasis where work and imagination intertwine.
— a blend of Ikea hacks, thrifted treasures, DIY wizardry, and unshakable determination. To watch the full transformation and see Vanessa’s reaction, head over to my YouTube channel for the step-by-step video!
