The RVing VA ~~ Working & Living Full-Time in an RV

Time to start working on modifications. Looks like the ugly yellow couch will finally come out this weekend. It will take a friend with a crowbar to accomplish that. I need room for dog crates and bird cages and just want a comfy chair rather than the ugly couch. The dogs may quit talking to me, however, as the couch is their way to see out the windows I don't think Fiona will be very happy with me over this choice!

Working from home in a sticks and bricks home was not a problem --- I had an extra room that rather quickly turned into a well-organized home office. The birds resided in my office and provided clients with entertainment when I forgot to put calls on hold. Bleu, my Indian Ringneck, was especially fond of saying loudly "What ARE you doing?" He sounded so human that I often returned to find my client talking about this or that as though I were still on the receiving end of the conversation!

I spent months prior to getting the RV trying to decide how I'd set up a workable office in here. First I thought it would go in the living room once I pulled the built-in couch out. But last winter came and went without that happening. So, the fold-out table by the couch became "the office." It held the laptop with my large monitor attached. Since at home I use a USB keyboard and an infra-red mouse, I just put the keyboard in my lap and worked from the couch. Not the best thing ergonomically, but it worked. However there was no place to maintain a filing system, etc. And I ended up with mail and papers all over the coach.

Since adding dog crates into the living room I've decided against putting the desk out here. Besides, it would be nice to have the office away from the main part of the house. It seems once I start checking email in the morning I'm glued to this couch for hours on end.

A bit of checking brought about another idea. The twin bed over the hot water heater has a fair amount of open cupboard space underneath in the middle. I need to replace the hot water heater before winter anyway. So I am in the midst of designing a desk space where the 2nd twin bed is --- over the top of the hot water heater, with room to move a chair into the space when it's not in use. I'll have shelves built in for equipment and supplies, and will arrange for a small filing cabinet.

I'm still working on the design --- so many options and things to consider. Any shelf structure has to be short enough to allow for opening the cupboards above the windows. I desperately want more closet space so I keep wondering how I could configure that in there too. A drop leaf table that comes out into the aisle could be useful for project work. Yes, it would block access to the bathroom, but if necessary that could be dealt with.

And lastly, I'm thinking about hanging a drapery that can be pulled across the desk area when it's not in use. That's something I'm not yet sure about --- it would shut out the light from those windows during the day --- although at night and in the winter it could be great additional insulation. And if I mount a small television over on that side, a curtain might just be in the way. So the curtain may never happen.

Anyone out there built a desk unit in their RV? If so, I'd love to hear from you! Drop me a line and tell me about your experience. Pictures would be nice too. I'll share if you will!