65 Small Home Office Ideas to Maximize Your Space

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 or dining room — or turn a closet into a cloffice space — 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. Then personalize your new workstation — wherever it may be — with fun accessories and artwork.

When it comes to designing a small office in an entryway, don’t be afraid to get creative! Nooks in this foyer were transformed from unused square footage into an office and reading corner. A small writing desk fits perfectly in the space beside the stairwell, and a cozy chair is positioned in reach of the bookshelf. Neutral furniture allows the green walls (Country Squire by Sherwin-Williams) and stained beadboard to shine.

Design blogger Ursula Carmona has done countless DIYs, but her favorite custom home project might be her home office — hidden in a closet off the family sitting room. A dark green built-in desk with a wood top is cleverly stashed behind folding doors with enough space for the low-profile, rolling desk chair.

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!”

No space is unused in this whimsical New York City apartment. This nook was turned into a walk-in-closet-meets-office space with a desk, velvet chair, clothing racks and shoe storage.

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.

With four sons, homeowners Elizabeth and Curt Nesbitt needed to carve out a peaceful workspace in their 2,600-square-foot house. Cleverly stashing Elizabeth's desk (and a collection of family photos) in the main bedroom closet gives her a solitary spot to get things done. Painting everything white brings a sense of calm.

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.

"We created this home office space for our client from a closet space in her guest bedroom," say the designers at Studio Revolution. "Less is more when it comes to this office niche: We used Ikea cabinets above the desk to hide the usual office space clutter, which keeps the space minimal and clean."

Even the most unlikely corner can function as a work area. An unused nook becomes an instant office with the addition of a few floating shelves and an upcycled desk chair. When not in use, simply pull the curtain in front of the shelves and use the chair as additional seating.

If your home is rife with unique, hard-to-use areas like an alcove in the entryway or an extra-wide hallway, turn one into a tiny office! Here, an elegant inset area features a small floating desk and ample space to display framed art and a vase of greenery. A recessed task light above brightens up the work area long after the sun goes down.

Give guests a place to unwind and catch up on emails by adding a desk and chair to the closet. Take your cloffice to the next level by painting the interior a poppy hue, like this one.

Transform a living room niche or built-in bookshelf into a custom, fold-down workspace that can be tucked up and out of the way. “It functions perfectly for our client to handle small tasks and still have family time," says Lindsay of Three Salt Design.

This walk-in closet turned into a modern home office nook — infused with breezy, beachy decor and a large dose of energetic color. A built-in glass-topped desk fits in the corner of the space and is a sleek foil to the textured grasscloth wallpaper. A vibrant framed print above the computer plays off the punchy pink of the desk chair

This bright home office makes up for a lack of space with plenty of personality. A hot-pink desk and playful citron-yellow chair make coloring, drawing, reading or even paying bills seem much more fun.

When kitchen counters aren't being used for slicing and dicing, they can pull double-duty as your workspace. Find a chair that fits well with the style of your kitchen (and isn't too bulky), and situate it wherever you have some extra room. You'll now have a structured place to sit, plus easy access to your favorite snacks while you work.

Take an awkward bit of empty space and put it to use. Here, this previously unused square footage was transformed into an office nook. "We designed a custom built-in desk that offered plenty of workspace for writing," say designers Miggy Mason and Roisin Giese. "We tucked it into a small niche right next to our client's library of books."

Don't overlook the convenience of a breakfast bar when it comes to creating a temporary home office. You don't even need a stool — hello, standing desk! Another perk is the proximity to your coffeemaker.

Situated just off the kitchen in designer Giana Shorthouse's Atlanta loft, this home studio is neat, stylish and oh-so-efficient with a steel desk that sits on casters for mobility and durability.

In the corner of this stylish kitchen, an L-shaped marble desktop and Shaker-style cabinets offer the ideal spot to get work done. The backsplash is a continuation of that used in the kitchen and the leopard print chair matches the bar stools across the room. It is exactly what the homeowner wanted: a place to catch up on work or for the grandkids to do crafts.

Dealing with very limited space? Built-in cabinets in the living room double as a perfect study nook that can be hidden away when not in use. Here, a clever desk conveniently folds up, and the chair can then be used for extra seating. Surrounding shelves and cabinets provide essential storage and a bright nearby window provides much-needed natural light.

Located in an empty alcove just off the kitchen, this built-in desk area gives homeowners a place to pay bills, look up recipes and work without distraction. The cabinets over the desk are painted the same chalky-blue as the ones in the kitchen and are accented with unlacquered brass hardware. To make the space even more functional, a pinboard backsplash was installed to highlight and help organize the endless amounts of important papers that flow through the family home.

Floor space is always important and even more so if your home is lacking in square footage. So if most of yours is already taken up with essential furniture, floating shelves are the perfect option. They're not only a fraction of the price of a standard desk, but they also take up barely any room. Skip the bulky desk and opt for a sleek shelf with a chair and some standard office decor to tie the look together.

In a dorm room or shared apartment, a section of empty wall space in the bedroom can be easily transformed into an excellent home office. Choose the right-sized desk, a comfortable chair and an adjustable lamp, then clear clutter on the floor by installing sturdy wall shelves above.

The perfect petite workspace for a small home or apartment, this chic DIY desk drops down when you need it and folds away when you don’t. Make your own with our step-by-step instructions below.

A former eating space becomes an appealing home office with the addition of a simple desk and filing drawers from Ikea. A floating shelf holds a flexible collection of artwork while a small rug provides warmth and style underfoot.

Designer Kathleen Appel turned her client's cedar closet into a rustic-chic workspace. She removed the doors to show off the stunning cedar lining but left the closet rod intact. "I found shelves and a cork board that could hang from the rod using iron hooks," she says.

This light and bright home office features a spacious wooden desk with metal legs and a brass reading lamp that's equal parts chic and functional. An orange patterned desk chair adds a pop of color, while a large black and gold bookshelf provides ample room for showcasing books, storing paperwork and displaying decorative items.

Are you afraid your office addition will make your already-small space look too cluttered? Think bright and light. Situated next to a breezy window in this living area, a white desk, neutral artwork and minimal decorations don't steal too much focus from the rest of the room.

To create a home office in her tiny home, Killy Scheer of Frisson Design hung a curtain from the main room's ceiling. When the curtain is open, the office feels spacious enough for both work-at-home spouses. When it's closed, Scheer and her husband can forget work and enjoy their living room.

Are the kids also working from home? Give them their own "home office" with our instructions on how to set up a double-sided desk, below.

Susan Alisberg of Alisberg Parker Architects designed this kids' study space with an L-shaped desk, creating plenty of room for homework, online school or creative endeavors. Bright green chairs add a splash of color to the space while a large window provides plenty of much-needed natural light.

This tiny home office proves that you don't have to sacrifice style when working with less square footage. A comfy chair covered in beautiful woven fabric effortlessly complements the breezy cane-front desk. A vintage-style task lamp and eye-catching oversized artwork add a splash of light and color to the previously dark corner.

Yes, that's a desk behind a couch. Find a slim desk that fits with the look of the room and turn that awkward, unused space behind the couch into a small workstation.

In this custom kitchen, a corner nook is the perfect place to fire off a quick email and organize the day's events. Two chalkboard panels on the cabinet doors make reminders and calendar items fun to read and easily accessible.

It’s no secret that color affects our mood. The bright hues in this blue-tiful office nook encourage creativity and alertness and designate the space visually for work. A sleek acrylic desk, white midcentury Panton chair and cheery yellow garden stool add cool style without feeling busy against the bold blue wall color.

This small home office features a modern wood desk that's easily tucked into one corner of the room. A geometric table lamp, chic framed art, a stack of designer books and small houseplant infuse the otherwise dark corner with much-needed style and light.

In this bedroom, a long, simple wood table doubles as a nightstand and desk — a clever way to make the room more functional without requiring additional floor space. Plus, this setup makes it even easier to roll out of bed and open your computer on those work-from-home days. Now that's what we call a dream commute!

A window nook is the perfect place to carve out a small home office. Not only does an abundance of natural light help you see the task at hand, but it can boost your mood and productivity. If you can, position your workspace as close to a bright, sunny window as possible.

To maximize your work surface, go with wall-mounted light fixtures — especially if your desk is small. A nook also provides privacy, helping you focus on tasks and be totally present for all those super-fun conference calls! Take advantage of surrounding walls by hanging calendars, corkboard or desk organizers to store small office supplies.

A desk doesn't have to technically be a desk in order for it to function as you need it to. Have a console? That's the perfect surface area to double as a place for you to work from home. Keep everything you normally would on the shelves, just leave some room for your computer. Furniture with more than one function is a must when it comes to small spaces, and something you will learn to love in no time.

An organized spot for paying bills, catching up on emails or planning a project for work, this open and airy sunroom-turned-home office is a comfortable space with a user-friendly desk and lots of storage.

This unique desk was created by topping a pair of vintage file boxes with thick glass — a smart move if you need storage but don’t want a big, bulky desk with drawers. The graphic overscale calendar with its bold black and white design feels like a piece of art yet is totally functional.

According to Caroline Grant and Dolores Suarez of Dekar Design, a mudroom doesn’t always have to be an area of your home closed off from guests. Instead, make you can make it multifunctional, like this office-mudroom they designed. "We chose a versatile desk that's disguised as a console table when not in use," they explain. Reclaimed wooden shelves and dark brackets above the desk add warmth, while colorful wallpaper makes the space feel inviting. Pro tip: "Wallpaper will also give you something beautiful to look at while working! We love adding character to smaller spaces," say Caroline and Dolores.

If you don't have anywhere in your home to put a barely-there desk — don't worry. You can still put a desk in your bedroom without it turning your sacred space into a full-on office. Choose a desk with a design you actually like, then decorate it and the surrounding area as you would a dresser or a vanity. Flowers, frames, books and other trinkets can and should be displayed here. This will turn your workspace into a place to display your favorite things while meeting those deadlines.

A painted-copper desk puts a small niche in this bedroom to good use and provides a spot to display collected objects. The coppery hue of the desk balances the warm green and wood tones sprinkled throughout the room while the artwork adds punchy modern style.

If you still think you can't squeeze an "office" into your space, think again. Consider a C-table for your laptop in the bedroom. The bottom of the table has a C-shaped frame that tucks underneath a bed or couch, keeping it out of the way. Now you don't even have to get out of bed to work.

Staring at the same wall every day can get dull. If a window view isn't available, add some pizzazz to your work area by covering one wall or a portion of the wall in colorful peel and stick wallpaper. Bonus if the paper depicts a tropical scene!

Even a tiny corner can work as a small home office with the addition of floating shelves. By using the vertical wall space and keeping desk accessories to a minimum, this home office allows for maximum storage and productivity. A floating desk with a chic marble top leaves ample legroom below while houseplants add welcome color and life above.

A simple trip to a salvage yard or antique store is all it takes to discover an interesting door that can easily be turned into a gorgeous desk. The desk is not only creative and functional, but a budget-friendly way to recycle an item that might have otherwise ended up in the trash.

If you have an extra room that can be used as a home office, try making it a warm, livable workspace with comfy seating. Bonus: If you’re feeling stressed, a comfy cowhide chaise allows you to kick up your feet for a quick snooze.

It has multiple levels, it rolls, it might even fit under your desk – and who cares if it’s made for cocktails? A cute bar cart like this can be a great solution for your office supplies other essentials. You could even turn the top into a coffee station.

To free up square footage in this kids' shared bedroom, the closet was transformed into a clothes-hanging space and a concealed workstation for crafts and homework. The central column provides open storage as well as a child-height desktop. To add flair to the space and break up the dark charcoal color throughout the rest of the room, the closet's walls were painted a bold red-orange.

Nestled in the corner, this office nook gives you plenty of room to get some work done. A beautiful reclaimed wood desk and matching wood shelves offer ample storage for office supplies, books and personal treasures.

In this multi-use laundry room, an integrated work area with a desk and a cool vintage chalkboard makes it easy to keep track of daily schedules, pay bills, wrap gifts or work on projects while laundry is being done.

This desk in a kids' shared bedroom is large enough to accommodate two stylish acrylic and blue wood chairs, a gold task lamp and art supplies galore. Simple steel cables and photo clips create a gallery wall above that can be changed on a whim. A white desk is a smart strategy if you don't want to add too much visual weight to a room.

This eclectic home office features a gallery wall of creativity-inducing art and quirky knick-knacks. Sitting atop a stylish faux animal skin rug, two Eames-style chairs and a modern, white desk provide a chic, functional place to take meetings.

A simple solution in a shared kids' room or guest room, a small desk tucked under the window provides a sunny place to work or get ready for the day.

An under-the-stairs closet becomes a cozy work nook with the addition of a built-in desk and chic graphic wallpaper. Although it's only 3 feet by 3 feet, the closet uses the 10-foot-high vertical space efficiently with custom built-ins and surfaces that can be stowed away or rolled out as needed.

This home office functions as an art studio for children and a small workspace for adults. A large shelving unit spans the back wall of the room, offering plenty of storage and a place to display photos and art.

A beautiful wood accent wall warms up this mod office nook while built-in shelves and two cabinet drawers keep things neat and organized. Recreate this look on a budget with freestanding white bookshelves and peel-and-stick wood wall planks.

Enlighten your morning correspondence with a seat at your home's sunniest spot. Transforming an interior bay window into a study nook takes advantage of natural light and extra space. Pro tip: Eliminate the glare factor with adjustable Roman shades.

In this flexible bedroom, an alcove next to the closet is the perfect place to squeeze a desk, a chic ergonomic chair and extra basket storage.

Add touches that express your personality and turn even a small space into an uplifting home office. In this hardworking corner, a graphic, large-scale piece of art complements the oversized lamp for a stylish, eye-catching view.

Utilize a small area in the bedroom or hallway as a workspace when a dedicated home office room isn't available. A simple white desk doesn't overwhelm a small space, and a floating shelf provides extra storage when floor space is scarce.