27 Small Home Office Ideas That Deliver Big on Style
While the home office used to be something of a luxury (just picture someone referring to their “study”), it’s become a necessity for many. Small home office ideas are crucial for those who are short on space and in need of creative design tricks to make tight spaces work for work-from-home life—like cleverly appointed closets, concealed working quarters, furniture that magically transforms from a TV console, or cabinetry that comes complete with a personal workstation. These small home office decor ideas—from interior design pros around the country—are especially geared toward those with a lack of square footage to help you get the job done in style.
How do you make the most of a small home office space?
The good news is that in the digital age, work areas don’t always require as much square footage as the home offices of yesteryear. “Gone are the days when an office space needed lots of storage and paper filing,” says Brad Ramsey of Nashville’s Brad Ramsey Interiors. “In today’s digital world, with files accessible on the cloud from anywhere, an office space needs to provide a quiet environment to set up a laptop and focus.” Additionally, choosing a compact or wall-mounted desk can make a difference, says Ginger Curtis of Urbanology Designs in North Richland Hills, Texas. “Use vertical file organizers or wall pockets for documents and office supplies,” she recommends.
What’s the best way to carve out a workstation within a larger living space?
“If you don’t have a dedicated room for a home office, there are lots of alternatives that don’t have to sacrifice style for function,” says Ramsey. “Replacing a bedside table in a guest room with a small writing desk can be one option. Floating a table behind a sofa like you would a console is another attractive approach.” In both cases, he adds, “you can use a table lamp instead of a task lamp to make the vignette seem more decorative and connected to the rest of the room’s aesthetic.” Curtis agrees that intentional styling, as well as furniture arrangement, helps define a workspace. “In the dining room, put a desk where you would normally put a hutch or a credenza,” she says. “An alcove is another opportunity to place a small workstation strategically.”
Read on for a roundup of decor ideas to help make the most of small home office spaces.
Photo: Laura Hull Photography1/27Select a showstopping desk
When your workstation and office chair are your only furnishings, pick a home office desk with personality. In this room, designed by Betsy Burnham of Burnham Design in Los Angeles, a magenta desk with gold hardware sets the tone for a bold home office.
Photo: Katie Charlotte2/27Integrate your workstation
“In tight quarters, consider consulting your local carpenter to tailor-make a desk and shelves that meld effortlessly with the available wall space,” says Cortney Bishop of Cortney Bishop Design in Charleston, South Carolina. Here, in addition to built-ins, painted trim and wallpaper match with an adjoining room to create the illusion of a larger space.
Photo: Gieves Anderson3/27Make the most of millwork
“Try to carve out spaces that can serve different purposes; for example, a vanity that can double as a desk, or custom millwork with a desk-height counter that has a cutout underneath for a stool or chair,” says Megan Prime of Brooklyn’s JAM. “We’d also recommend incorporating task lighting, like a small lamp, to create a focused and well-lit workspace.”
Photo: Laura Hull4/27Choose the right office chair
“I tend toward chairs with wheels for practicality’s sake,” says Burnham. “Wheels make a desk chair so easy to maneuver, and they often differentiate a desk chair from a dining chair.” But don’t forget to consider your chair’s arm height. “Some desks have such generous aprons and drawers that it’s next to impossible to fit chair arms underneath, and the last thing you want is an inability to pull up to your work surface,” she says.
Photo: Adam Macchia5/27Craft a laptop-friendly desk space
There’s no rule that says an office desk must be six feet wide. If all you need is space for a laptop (as is the case for many these days), a simple office nook may be all you need. This home library, created by New York’s BHDM Design, doubles as an office and features a carved-out nook with custom shelving and a diminutive built-in desk.
Photo: Laura Hull6/27Consider your chair’s fabric
Just as the desk can pack a punch of personality, so can your chair. And a fun fabric—whether it features florals, stripes, or an abstract print—adds visual interest. Burnham also stresses the importance of picking a durable material, pointing out that light colors and “nubby linens” aren’t always practical for maintenance and comfort. “Leathers, vinyls, and outdoor fabrics make much better choices, as does nylon webbing,” she says.
Photo: Zeke Ruelas7/27Create a calming space
“When we design for the average work-from-homer, we try to take advantage of a quiet space with good lighting, whether it be a dedicated office space or a small desk in a bedroom,” says Ramsey. “Of course, anybody can get some work done at the kitchen counter or breakfast table, but to put in a day’s work, you must be able to focus, be comfortable, and have at least three-to-four feet of space to spread out on.”
Photo: Katie Charlotte8/27Pick space-saving seating
“Look for a chair with swivel or pivot capabilities to make the most of your limited space,” says Bishop. “Your chair can also go beyond mere functionality and be used as another canvas to express your creativity, complementing the overall design of your space.”
Photo: Matti Gresham9/27Go for multifunctional furniture
“Choose furniture that can serve multiple purposes, like a desk that can also function as a vanity or a dining table,” says Curtis. Add a tabletop mirror and the desk in this bedroom could easily double as a makeup table.
Photo: Dustin Halleck Design: DGI Design x Build10/27Utilize vertical space
When floor space is limited, designing up is the way to go. Rather than adding a freestanding bookshelf, mount floating shelves to hold books, plants, and decorative objects. In this office, created by Chicago’s DGI Design x Build, choosing wall-mounted shelves means there’s space to add a couch.
Photo: Life Created11/27Make your desk pull double duty
Sometimes a desk is just a desk, but other times it’s both a workstation and a nightstand. In this home office designed by the Scottsdale, Arizona–based firm Living with Lolo, both sides of the bed get tabletop space for a glass of water and a phone charger.
Photo: Katie Charlotte12/27Use art to center a work zone
Working with a small space doesn’t mean skimping on the office decor. Hanging a piece of art helps carve out a dedicated workstation within a larger space like a living room or dining room. That’s exactly what the aerial-inspired painting does in this otherwise minimalist office space created by Cortney Bishop Design.
Photo: Eric Piasecki13/27Go for graphic wallpaper
You can still pick wallpaper with big personality in small quarters. A prime example: this room used to be a maid’s closet. “Since it’s a tight space, the client wanted to incorporate a little pop of color,” says Gideon Mendelson of New York’s Mendelson Group. “It was important to keep the space balanced, so we kept it simple and monochromatic and paired it with a graphic wallpaper to add some visual interest.”
Photo: Bjorg Magnea14/27Craft a covert office
New York’s PJCArchitecture created this cleverly designed closet office in a home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The space, which is just off the kitchen, is easily concealed by two pocket doors that slide completely into the walls when opened and read as panel walls when closed.
Photo: Jenifer McNeil Baker15/27Add storage below the desk
Make use of every square inch—even under the desk, which is the perfect place for a small file cabinet. Take a cue from this room, designed by Maestri Studio in Dallas, and go for a cabinet that adds a pop of color. Poppin makes three-drawer file cabinets in colors like orange, aqua, and pool blue.
Photo: Dustin Halleck16/27Opt for a space-saving furniture combo
For an extra-efficient use of space, pick furniture that’s a bookshelf and desk all in one, similar to the piece seen in this home office by DGI Design x Build. Pottery Barn makes a small unit, Design Within Reach has a piece with multiple desk-shelf configurations available, and Crate & Barrel has a bookcase with two desks for a kids’ room.
Bjorg Magnea17/27Pick a pull-out desk
“The intention of this custom solution was to create a piece of millwork that is flexible in its design and can transform to serve different functions: fireplace, art display, TV, pull-out desk, and storage,” says Philip Consalvo of PJCArchitecture. “Instead of creating several separate solutions, we consolidated them into one elegant object, a custom Birdseye maple unit with metal accents, that complements the modern aesthetic of the design.”
Photo: Katie Charlotte18/27Conceal your cords
Hiding unsightly cords goes a long way in achieving a refined appearance for tight spaces, says Bishop. “Invest in custom outlets to discreetly hide cords and cables and maintain a clutter-free environment…. These small details contribute to an overall sense of polished elegance.”
Photo: Courtesy of Melissa Lewis Interiors19/27Create “his” and “hers” office areas…
Home office design often needs to accommodate two workers. That was the case for clients of Melissa Lewis of Melissa Lewis Interiors in Chicago. The couple wanted to convert the top floor of their home, which had been used as a small playroom and a smaller guest bedroom, into his and hers offices tailored to each individual’s work needs and style. “For his office, we needed to have space to allow for multiple monitors, a dedicated server for privacy, and have it still be a place he’d like to sit and wind down in at the end of the day,” says Lewis. “Clean and concealed storage was key, as well as warm, masculine finishes.”
Photo: Courtesy of Melissa Lewis Interiors20/27…that showcase personal style
“For her space, we didn’t have as tight of a technical leash,” Lewis says. “We were able to get a gorgeous free-standing desk custom-made to ensure any bits she did need had proper storage, while also integrating fun and poppy wallpaper and accessories,” says Lewis. Weaving in your favorite patterns, colors, and accessories will personalize your office and make you feel (aptly) right at home in even the smallest of spaces.
Photo: Erica George Dines21/27Maximize natural light
Even if your “office” is a desk placed on a landing or at the end of a hallway, the space can still inspire productivity, especially if the light is right—and the right desk lamp can be a game changer. Liz Williams of Liz Williams Interiors in Atlanta says, “Maximize natural light and lamp lighting so the office is an inviting place in which to work.”
Photo: Emily Followill22/27Trick the eye with high curtains
Another tip from Williams: “Hang curtains high, just below the crown molding, to raise the eyes and create the illusion of a larger space.” She also recommends choosing a desk with drawers for plenty of built-in storage and using a desktop organizer to keep clutter at bay.
Photo: Jack Shelton23/27Go big on built-ins
This functional home office, created by LA-based Mandy Cheng Design for young adult author Maurene Goo, fully utilizes its wall space with custom built-ins. Not only are there built-in shelves, but even the desk gets its own built-ins with compartments on top and mounted to the side wall to keep office supplies organized.
Photo: Nick Glimenakis24/27Lean into clean lines
If a neat, minimalist space helps you do your best work, skip the patterned office chair and graphic wallpaper. Instead, take a cue from this Manhattan loft by RAAD Studio in New York that’s an exercise in soft lighting, simple forms, clean lines, and meticulous detailing.
Photo: Resource Furniture25/27Outfit a spare room with convertible furniture
For this home office–slash–guest room, the Brooklyn-based Brownstone Boys used a custom Swing Chaise wall bed with a built-in custom Flip-Down Desk from Resource Furniture to achieve their multifunctional goals. “Conventional, stationary furniture can make a room feel much smaller than its true potential,” says Challie Stillman of Resource Furniture. “Wall beds and folding desks can provide comfortable sleeping accommodations and a second function when the bed is not in use, like an integrated sofa, dining table, or desk for working from home.”
Photo: Nick Glimenakis26/27Leave room for lounging
If your work style is more about kicking your feet up with a laptop, there’s no rule against using the majority of your space for a lounge area, as RAAD Studio does here. Choose a compact desk—or skip it altogether in favor of smaller side tables.
Photo: Life Created27/27Make the playroom double as a homework zone
You’re never too young to learn that design can inspire productivity. In this kid-friendly space by Living with Lolo, a simple table and stools placed in the middle of the room ensure the little ones have the perfect set up to work hard and play hard.
