65+ Small Home Office Ideas

If you’re designing a home office but don’t have an entire room to spare, we’ve got good news: You can fit a petite-yet-practical workspace just about anywhere in your home. Whether you want to add a small home office to your bedroom, living room, dining room or even a closet, we’ve got ideas to help you do just that. Start by shopping for a stylish, small space-friendly desk (or browsing our built-in desk ideas), and get our best tips for keeping it organized. Personalize your new workstation with fun accessories and artwork.

When it comes to designing a small living room office, don’t be afraid to get creative! Small nooks in this foyer were transformed from unused square footage into a home office and reading corner. A small writing desk fits perfectly in the space beside the stairwell and a cozy chair is positioned in easy reach of the bookshelf. Neutral furniture was selected to allow the deep green walls and dark wood beadboard trim to shine. Paint color: Sherwin-Williams Country Squire.

To chic up this niche — and inspire her kids to do their schoolwork — design influencer Mary Marrero painted one wall Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball. Then she added a compact desk and chair and created an eye-catching wall of prints from Ikea. “I’ve always seen gallery walls going up the stairs,” says Mary. “Going beneath makes every inch count!”

Working from home with a partner or roommate? Designate one area as your study — whether that be one half of the living room or your shared den — then build an extra-long desk out of filing cabinets and a slab of wood from the hardware store. Coordinate with your roomie to create a gorgeous art wall that reflects and melds your unique personalities and makes the space look more cohesive.

An inspiring office space at home (even a small one) can make all the difference in your creativity and productivity levels. Here, a floating shelf transforms a small space beneath the stairs into a tidy workstation. The corkboard on the wall displays clippings and reminders, and the front of the shelf opens with hinges to hide paper clutter.