Small-Space Home Offices

Spare bedrooms aren’t the only spaces that make great home offices. Now a closet, corner, hallway or even the kitchen island can become the perfect work space.

You don’t need a lot of space to carve a spot out for a desk or workstation. Here are a few ideas for how to do it in your home.

Make it small but efficient.

Simplicity is key in small spaces. A cozy nook like this needs only the essentials. This built-in desk has one large drawer for files and smaller drawers for office supplies. Semi custom cabinetry options are an affordable way to get exactly what you want. Consult your local cabinetry store or home center to explore design options. Or measure your nook and hunt down a ready-made desk that will fit your space.

Rearrange your furniture.

Move your sofa to the center of your living room or family room, and use the space behind it as a home office. An elegant glass-top desk and narrow credenza occupy the space behind the sofa. With this arrangement, if your TV is centered in front of your sofa, your desk will be too, providing entertainment while you work.

Add a desk along the wall.

A wall of solid shelves can sometimes dominate a room, so change it up a bit by adding a desk between shelving units or, in this case, between a bookcase and armoire. To unify the elements and achieve the look of a built-in, keep everything the same color.

Carve outa kitchen niche.

Pay bills and cook a casserole without ever leaving the kitchen. All this is possible with a desk conveniently located in a kitchen nook. Let the spaces flow into one another by using the same material and hardware for your cabinetry. Here, a simple surface extension provides the perfect amount of space for a single workstation in the heart of your home.

Make a smooth transition.

Utilize spare kitchen space by adding adjustable wire shelving to bare walls. Create a seamless transition by continuing the kitchen color scheme in the under desk storage area.

Turn attic space into a quiet hideout.

A quiet attic can provide the perfect opportunity to put an underutilized space to work. A long desk along one of the walls offers plenty of work space for two people and is simply a tabletop mounted to a series of cabinets. The window in front of the desk provides natural light, while adjustable wall-mount lamps offer task lighting.

Make an island hideaway.

Add office space to the list of many functions a kitchen island provides. A drop-leaf table slides out from under this island, creating an ideal spot for doing homework, using a laptop or paying bills. Storage drawers above the table are handy for storing bills, paper, pens, stamps and more. When not in use, the table slides back into the island and is concealed behind cabinet doors that match the island’s style.

Add a small office plus storage.

Keep a small office from feeling cramped by using versatile furniture. This collapsible table takes up little visual space and can be rearranged and easily moved. A wall-mount shelf creates an artful wall display. Pull up a comfy chair from the living room to create an instant office space.

Rethink your space.

Put an extra closet to use by converting it into a clever and inexpensive workstation. Remove the doors and any extra shelving, paint the interior of the closet, and simply add a desk. To polish off the new nook, install baseboards to match the rest of the room and add task lighting, like these pendant lamps, to illuminate the space.

Go from nook to office.

The spare bedroom shouldn’t be just for guests. Make the most of a seldom-used space by adding a home office. A sleek, narrow desk and simple furniture increases its functionality without being too distracting. When guests arrive, this room can accommodate work and relaxation in a stylish setting.

Light up a cozy corner.

Create an inspiring work space in a room corner by infusing it with color. Let color be the focus by limiting the area to just a desk and chair. Need storage space? Look for a desk with built-in storage, such as shelves or drawers. Good lighting is important to a work area and can be affordably added with a simple desk lamp. This lamp was customized by wrapping pretty paper around the bottom of the shade.

Get space with a view.

Turn your window area into a small office. Install a built-in desk and shelves under a large window for a work area with a view. Here, a wooden ledge mounted under the windowsill serves as a countertop, supported by a shelving unit that ties into its surroundings.

Repurpose for an office.

A wall-mount desk provides the perfect base for a home office. Attach a simple surface to any free wall space for an instant workstation. Here, part of a distressed wooden table has been transformed into a creative center. Fun details, such as an old studio chair, graters repurposed as utensil holders and a bedspring memo board, give this space a complete look.

Add an all-in-one space.

With spaces to work, sleep and relax, there’s hardly a reason to leave this master suite. This desk is tucked into the short hall between the master bath and bedroom. The stained pine flooring ties the office space to the other areas of the master suite.

Go for a hallway hideout.

Hallways provide lots of opportunities for multifunctional spaces. This desk is tucked into the end of an upstairs hallway. The window above the built-in desk provides a nice view of the neighborhood. The library ladder makes it easy to reach stored books and office supplies.

Do a double take.

A two-sided desk doubles the workspace, but not the used floor space. This desk is assembled from an unfinished bookcase and a laminate-covered piece of medium-density fiberboard structured by two pairs of legs. The whole structure is just 5 feet long.