I was lucky: I was able to convert an unused part of our basement to a basement office. I wish I had pictures of it -- my dad helped me build a ten foot wide desk that was offset from the wall so computer wiring could go under it and I installed electrical outlets every foot. I built a ten foot wide, six foot high bookcase on the opposite wall for all me reference books.

I used that office for twenty two years, and then we moved. But the kids were all grown and gone by then, so sharing space in the new family room was not a problem.