10 Tidy Work Spots for Small Spaces
Big ideas, small space? Try these inspiring ideas for tucking a desk into even the weeniest of corners
Meera Innes
27 July 2015
Houzz contributor. Freelance writer and lover of beautiful things. I grew up in Japan so my taste in interiors runs to the minimalist with an emphasis on natural colours and textures - but the Indian in me can't say no to sumptuous fabrics in glorious jewel tones either! I'm a big lover of combining old with new, so expect to see plenty of upcycled pieces and interiors featuring contemporary twists on period character.
Houzz contributor. Freelance writer and lover of beautiful things. I grew up in Japan... More
A spacious study is a luxury for those of us who work from home – but when space is at a premium, the reality of a home office often means slotting in a desk wherever we can make room for it. But a makeshift office in the corner of your home can still provide a pocket of peace where you can immerse yourself in work. Here are some neat and compact offices that make the most of their surroundings.
Maximise on storage
In a small space, make the most of empty walls by filling them with narrow shelves. In this room, the owners have made use of the entire wall, both above and below the desk – even the floor space! All that shelf space can get messy, so minimise clutter with matching, unfussy folders and boxes to store all the work paraphernalia.
Find inspiration for a homework desk in a child’s room
In a small space, make the most of empty walls by filling them with narrow shelves. In this room, the owners have made use of the entire wall, both above and below the desk – even the floor space! All that shelf space can get messy, so minimise clutter with matching, unfussy folders and boxes to store all the work paraphernalia.
Find inspiration for a homework desk in a child’s room
Fold it away
For casual work that requires occasional desk space, a bureau is an ideal solution – just unfold the leaf and pull up a nearby chair when the desk is needed. The great thing about bureaus is their built-in storage, and a well-loved piece can add a warm, vintage feel to a room.
For casual work that requires occasional desk space, a bureau is an ideal solution – just unfold the leaf and pull up a nearby chair when the desk is needed. The great thing about bureaus is their built-in storage, and a well-loved piece can add a warm, vintage feel to a room.
Make it an all-in-one
Storage and practicality are key when creating a compact study area, and this desk in the corner of a family kitchen fits a lot into the available space. Make use of an empty wall by hanging up a blackboard, as seen here, or a bulletin board where you can pin notes, and squeeze in as much drawer and shelf storage as the space allows.
Get ideas for creating a modern pinboard
Storage and practicality are key when creating a compact study area, and this desk in the corner of a family kitchen fits a lot into the available space. Make use of an empty wall by hanging up a blackboard, as seen here, or a bulletin board where you can pin notes, and squeeze in as much drawer and shelf storage as the space allows.
Get ideas for creating a modern pinboard
Hide behind close doors
Need to keep your home office out of sight (and mind) in the evenings, or when it’s not in use? Why not hide it in a cupboard? This unit blends perfectly into its surroundings when closed, but opens up to reveal a self-contained office area. A folding chair or a stool that can be tucked away under the desk will complete this practical system.
Need to keep your home office out of sight (and mind) in the evenings, or when it’s not in use? Why not hide it in a cupboard? This unit blends perfectly into its surroundings when closed, but opens up to reveal a self-contained office area. A folding chair or a stool that can be tucked away under the desk will complete this practical system.
Use all available space
The recessed spaces on either side of a chimney can be the perfect size and shape to situate a mini office – this perfect nook seems tailor-made for a desk. Recesses often need a lift with lighting, so consider mounting a wall light or desk lamp to illuminate your work area without taking up precious desk space.
The recessed spaces on either side of a chimney can be the perfect size and shape to situate a mini office – this perfect nook seems tailor-made for a desk. Recesses often need a lift with lighting, so consider mounting a wall light or desk lamp to illuminate your work area without taking up precious desk space.
Shut that door
For another really neat office space that won’t intrude on the surrounding area, look for a desk that can be easily concealed behind a pull-down shutter. The sliding shutter over this desk, plus the stool that fits neatly underneath, keep this study area streamlined and tucked away when not in use.
For another really neat office space that won’t intrude on the surrounding area, look for a desk that can be easily concealed behind a pull-down shutter. The sliding shutter over this desk, plus the stool that fits neatly underneath, keep this study area streamlined and tucked away when not in use.
Desk the halls
For narrow spaces, a console-style desk will take up floor area while making the most of available wall space. With just enough width for a computer, and being long enough for laying out other work, it’s the ideal size and shape for creating an office area in a small room, or even a wide corridor.
For narrow spaces, a console-style desk will take up floor area while making the most of available wall space. With just enough width for a computer, and being long enough for laying out other work, it’s the ideal size and shape for creating an office area in a small room, or even a wide corridor.
Make good use of a corner
Corners are versatile spots that often aren’t fully exploited, and this shelf-stacked site shows what ideal places they can be for a desk. When building storage in a small space, think vertical: this desk is a perfect example of a compact office where everything is in easy reach.
Corners are versatile spots that often aren’t fully exploited, and this shelf-stacked site shows what ideal places they can be for a desk. When building storage in a small space, think vertical: this desk is a perfect example of a compact office where everything is in easy reach.
Head upstairs…
With less noise than in other parts of the house and plenty of empty walls, a landing is the ideal space for an open-plan home office. Even if your landing affords only enough space for a small desk and some slim shelves, it can serve as a retreat where you can get your work done in peace.
With less noise than in other parts of the house and plenty of empty walls, a landing is the ideal space for an open-plan home office. Even if your landing affords only enough space for a small desk and some slim shelves, it can serve as a retreat where you can get your work done in peace.
…or go downstairs
An equally handy space is the nook below an open staircase, which generally offers just enough room to house a desk. A convenient hideaway that’s nicely tucked away, it’s almost purpose-built for a home office.
TELL US…
Do you work from home – if so, how have you overcome space challenges? Share your tips in the Comments below.
An equally handy space is the nook below an open staircase, which generally offers just enough room to house a desk. A convenient hideaway that’s nicely tucked away, it’s almost purpose-built for a home office.
TELL US…
Do you work from home – if so, how have you overcome space challenges? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Related Stories
Living Rooms
8 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Small Living Room
Swerve these common design errors to make a big impact in your compact sitting room
Full Story
Kitchens
How to Lay Out a Small Kitchen
By Kate Burt
If you’re short on cooking space but have big ideas, look no further – our experts will make your small kitchen sing
Full Story
Kitchens
Small Kitchen Ideas to Steal From Our Tours
From bespoke storage to cleverly placed mirrors, there are numerous ways to big up a little cookspace
Full Story
Renovating
How to Make a Small New-build Flat Feel Larger
Can small mean beautiful when it comes to your new-build home? Yes, say these experts
Full Story
Kitchens
7 Small Kitchen Challenges Solved by Houzz Designers
By Kate Burt
From boosting worktop space to rethinking the floor plan, check out these ideas for maximising a compact kitchen
Full Story
Bedrooms
How to Plan a Spare Room for Guests
Tick off this guest room essentials list to make sure overnight visitors feel relaxed and welcome
Full Story
Living Rooms
This is How Designers Would Make the Most of a Small Living Room
Follow these small-space tips from interior designers and architects to help you plan your compact reception room
Full Story
Gardens
Garden Tour: A Tiny, L-shaped Space Becomes Practical and Chic
By Kate Burt
This small garden, attached to a flat, is a tricky shape, but it needed to serve numerous purposes for the owners
Full Story
Gardens
Garden Tour: A Series of Lush Areas Make a Small Plot Feel Bigger
This city garden is a masterclass in creating an entertaining space in a small area while still prioritising plants
Full Story
Bedrooms
17 Contemporary Dressing Tables Perfect for Smaller Spaces
Even if you can only spare a little alcove or corner, it may well be possible to slot in a dedicated beauty spot
Full Story
If you work at any of these you'll have to spend all the money you've earnt while you're getting your spine straightened out again. Work desks (and chairs) are big for a reason. These tiny desks are only suitable for quickly checking emails on a laptop - and that makes them a waste of space because you could do that on any chair without any table at all.
Only the corner one and the fireplace one could be used for more than half an hour at a time. Legroom is crucial! It's more important to not cripple yourself than to enjoy a "pocket of peace" unfortunately
I like the first and last areas best and even thinking of doing the first one. I have four walls i can use.. If I had stairs i would use that space. thanks
I'm currently working on a plan for our "home office" which will be located in our smallest bedroom. I appreciate all the comments above and agree that I would want an area I could close up when not in use so the room could also be used as both another reception room for my teenaged daughter to take her mates to and as an occasional guest bedroom. It's got to have a desk area that will function for me as a 5'4" woman, my husband at 6' and our 5' daughter and we all have conflicting tastes but I like both the bureau and/or tambour door ideas. Mike and I want wooden furniture but daughter wants contemporary finishes. Also struggling with bed/sofabed choices as my elderly Mum needs it to be high for both sitting and reclining but it will need to be both contemporary and hardwearing for the teens use. No wonder it's taking me such a long time in the planning and that's without taking into account our budget constraints!