14 Flexible Furniture Ideas for a Home Office
Keep your study area versatile by choosing your layout and furniture carefully
Cheryl F
13 April 2017
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing for the UK's top interiors titles. I love shopping for quirky accessories, have a passion for rummaging through vintage stores and I'm ever-hopeful of finding that elusive perfect paint shade.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing... More
Whether your home office occupies a corner of your bedroom, is tucked at the back of your kitchen or you have the luxury of a separate study, by their nature work stations tend to be something that fit around the rest of our home lives. Even if you do have a whole room dedicated to your office, it’s quite likely this is also the place where you put up house guests or store your books and sports equipment. Here, then, are some ideas for flexible furniture so your study manages to tick more than box.
Build it in, flip it down
If you’re considering having a bank of bespoke storage built in, don’t miss the opportunity to include a flip-down desk. This modern update on the old-school Victorian bureau is a great option if you only need a work surface now and again. And with most of us possessing wifi and laptops these days, your desk area doesn’t need to be massive.
Integrating a desk with storage also makes sense space-wise, as it looks neat and doesn’t interrupt the flow of the room. Plus, you can reserve close-by cubbyholes for your printer, paper and stationery.
If you’re considering having a bank of bespoke storage built in, don’t miss the opportunity to include a flip-down desk. This modern update on the old-school Victorian bureau is a great option if you only need a work surface now and again. And with most of us possessing wifi and laptops these days, your desk area doesn’t need to be massive.
Integrating a desk with storage also makes sense space-wise, as it looks neat and doesn’t interrupt the flow of the room. Plus, you can reserve close-by cubbyholes for your printer, paper and stationery.
Hide it in a cupboard
One way to carve out a work space is to fit a cupboard workstation in the corner of a room. In this dining area, the computer, speakers, keyboard and printer are neatly hidden away, but are also easy to access. There’s no need for a dedicated office seat either, as a dining chair can be pulled up as and when required. Slot in extra shelves so your cupboard contains books as well, for extra flexibility.
One way to carve out a work space is to fit a cupboard workstation in the corner of a room. In this dining area, the computer, speakers, keyboard and printer are neatly hidden away, but are also easy to access. There’s no need for a dedicated office seat either, as a dining chair can be pulled up as and when required. Slot in extra shelves so your cupboard contains books as well, for extra flexibility.
Dress it up
If your work space is in a bedroom and space is limited, it makes sense to choose a desk that doubles up style-wise as a plausible dressing table. There are some lovely updated mid-century desks around that look chic and stylish rather than functional and dull. Wood is always a good option in a bedroom, with a timeless feel.
See more ideas for styling up a desk
If your work space is in a bedroom and space is limited, it makes sense to choose a desk that doubles up style-wise as a plausible dressing table. There are some lovely updated mid-century desks around that look chic and stylish rather than functional and dull. Wood is always a good option in a bedroom, with a timeless feel.
See more ideas for styling up a desk
Wheel work in
A trolley on wheels isn’t just for kitchens. In this industrial-chic study, a metal unit on wheels works as a place to organise office bits and pieces. The beauty of this is that it can be tucked out of the way when it’s not needed, and pulled out during work hours.
A trolley on wheels isn’t just for kitchens. In this industrial-chic study, a metal unit on wheels works as a place to organise office bits and pieces. The beauty of this is that it can be tucked out of the way when it’s not needed, and pulled out during work hours.
Fold away the bed
For lots of us, our studies are work-spaces-cum guest rooms. While we don’t want a bed in there all the time, it’s handy to have an option on those occasions when Auntie Patricia does come to stay. If you don’t want to offer overnight guests a blow-up mattress, and don’t have the right shaped space for a day bed or sofa bed, then one option is a fold-up wall bed as seen here, which neatly tucks away and can be forgotten about when visitors depart.
For lots of us, our studies are work-spaces-cum guest rooms. While we don’t want a bed in there all the time, it’s handy to have an option on those occasions when Auntie Patricia does come to stay. If you don’t want to offer overnight guests a blow-up mattress, and don’t have the right shaped space for a day bed or sofa bed, then one option is a fold-up wall bed as seen here, which neatly tucks away and can be forgotten about when visitors depart.
Convert to sleep
A compact sofa bed makes perfect sense in a small study. It means you can settle down with a cuppa and a cushion when you urgently need a mini work break or afternoon nap. You’ll also have somewhere to accommodate overnight guests. Sofa beds come in a wide array of shapes and sizes. This streamlined, buttoned number works well with the overall styling of this room.
A compact sofa bed makes perfect sense in a small study. It means you can settle down with a cuppa and a cushion when you urgently need a mini work break or afternoon nap. You’ll also have somewhere to accommodate overnight guests. Sofa beds come in a wide array of shapes and sizes. This streamlined, buttoned number works well with the overall styling of this room.
Factor in filing
Don’t automatically choose the biggest, tallest filing cabinet you can lug up the stairs. A shorter number next to a desk can work as an extra surface for books and cups of tea, as well as a place to keep paperwork out of sight and orderly. Choose a vintage-style model for extra style points.
Don’t automatically choose the biggest, tallest filing cabinet you can lug up the stairs. A shorter number next to a desk can work as an extra surface for books and cups of tea, as well as a place to keep paperwork out of sight and orderly. Choose a vintage-style model for extra style points.
Multi task
Squeezed for space in your bedroom? How about this wooden bedside table that’s also a mini desk. The period style of this compact desk works well with the traditional feel of this bedroom. While it may not be somewhere you can beaver away all day long, it’s ideal for the odd bout of admin or late-night creativity. And you can still rest your water, glasses and book on it.
Squeezed for space in your bedroom? How about this wooden bedside table that’s also a mini desk. The period style of this compact desk works well with the traditional feel of this bedroom. While it may not be somewhere you can beaver away all day long, it’s ideal for the odd bout of admin or late-night creativity. And you can still rest your water, glasses and book on it.
Show flair with a chair
If you don’t intend to spend a lot of time at your home office, then you may not wish to invest in an ergonomic chair. This classic wooden dining chair has been painted bright blue to give this desk area a vibrant, modern feel. If your office is in a bedroom or dining room, it can also double up as an all-purpose seating option.
If you don’t intend to spend a lot of time at your home office, then you may not wish to invest in an ergonomic chair. This classic wooden dining chair has been painted bright blue to give this desk area a vibrant, modern feel. If your office is in a bedroom or dining room, it can also double up as an all-purpose seating option.
Love long lines
If floor space is limited, use the perimeter of the room and opt for a long, slim desk along the wall. You’ll have room to spread things out a little, and won’t impinge too much on the central area.
If floor space is limited, use the perimeter of the room and opt for a long, slim desk along the wall. You’ll have room to spread things out a little, and won’t impinge too much on the central area.
Make it two’s company
Likely to desk share at some point in the future? Another advantage of a longer bench-style desk is the flexibility it offers. This generous desk is a simple idea to replicate and can easily accommodate two chairs.
Likely to desk share at some point in the future? Another advantage of a longer bench-style desk is the flexibility it offers. This generous desk is a simple idea to replicate and can easily accommodate two chairs.
Think small
Make use of a chimney breast by tucking a desk into an adjacent alcove. You can then slot shelves above it for some neat storage. In this dining area, using the same style of dining chair for the desk and the table further helps the work area to blend in.
Discover more clever ideas for living room shelving
Make use of a chimney breast by tucking a desk into an adjacent alcove. You can then slot shelves above it for some neat storage. In this dining area, using the same style of dining chair for the desk and the table further helps the work area to blend in.
Discover more clever ideas for living room shelving
Put a bike on it
How’s this for flexibility? A study area that is also home to a bike. It may be unconventional, but it also shows how any piece of wall can be used for a bike stand. And what’s more, it will leave your hall free of pedals that dig into ankles every time you walk past.
What flexible solutions have you found in your work area? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
How’s this for flexibility? A study area that is also home to a bike. It may be unconventional, but it also shows how any piece of wall can be used for a bike stand. And what’s more, it will leave your hall free of pedals that dig into ankles every time you walk past.
What flexible solutions have you found in your work area? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
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I agree with janedale (but then I usually do :D) Whenever I have worked from home there has always been a certain amount of clutter involved and none of these otherwise very attractive spaces seem to make much allowance for this. I do think, as houses seem to get smaller and smaller, that multi purpose spaces are the way forward, sofa beds and work areas that can blend in with bedrooms and living rooms are a must for many people. However it's clever storage that's really needed because, no matter how much you declutter, there are always things you need to keep to hand or just can't bear to part with.
re lack of clutter - I guess knowing you are going to have some photographs taken, the owners take time to tidy-up and perhaps even style the area in question, so it looks it best! just like you'd have a quick check in the mirror before having your own pic taken. it's still reality - but with a little help!