Looking to work from home but short on space? Here’s how to create a home office in a small space, making the most of every inch without sacrificing style.
For many of us, working from home has become the new normal. And now, it’s more important than ever to have a dedicated spot for a home office.
I mean, the kitchen table or the bed doesn’t exactly scream “comfy workspace,” right?
Now, you might be wondering, “But what if I live in a small space?”
Well, trust me, there are plenty of creative ways for how to create a home office in a small space. From creating a “cloffice” to foldable desks – I’ll show you all of them in this post!
We’ll cover everything from finding the perfect spot and lighting to choosing wall colors, desk ideas, storage solutions, and adding personal touches. Let’s dive in!
How to Create a Home Office in a Small Space
Find an Unused Space
Before you start picking out desks and other furniture, take a good look around your home. You might be surprised by the spaces that can be transformed into a home office.
Got an awkward nook? Perfect. How about that space under the stairs? Ideal. Maybe there’s a nook in your bedroom, living room, or even the dining room that could fit a desk?
And don’t forget about those little spots under a slanted ceiling either.
No matter how small or oddly shaped the space is, with a bit of creativity, you can turn it into a cozy and functional home office.
Once you’ve found the perfect spot, grab a tape measure and get those measurements.
Knowing the exact size of your space will help you pick the right furniture and make sure everything fits just right.
Lighting Tips for Your Compact Home Office
When thinking about how to create a home office in a small space, lighting plays a big role. Here are some easy tips:
Natural Light:
- Position Your Desk Near a Window: Try to place your desk close to a window to soak up a lot of natural light. Aim to have the light coming from the front or side to avoid glare on your screen.
Artificial Lighting (for when natural light is limited):
- Desk Lamp with Adjustable Brightness: Look for a desk lamp where you can adjust the brightness. It’s like bringing the sun into your home, but without the sunburn!
- Table Lamp with a Shade: Add a table lamp with a shade for a cozy vibe. The softer light is much gentler on your eyes than those harsh overhead lights.
- Floor Lamp: Place a floor lamp in a corner so that it bounces light off the walls. This will banish the dark corners and make the whole room appear bright and friendly.
With a mix of natural and artificial light, you’ll create a home office that’s not just practical but also feels like a comfortable place to get things done.
Color Choices for Your Walls
Now, when it comes to choosing a color scheme for your home office, you have a few options.
Depending on where you place your desk, you may not even need to change the wall color if you already have a color you like.
But if that’s not the case yet, I have some examples for you. Let’s take a look:
1. Use an Arched Wall Decal
Whether you buy them or paint them yourself, arched wall decals are a creative solution to define your home office.
They’re super pretty and can make it look like you have a separate space within a larger room, which is just amazing!
Plus, they come in so many colors, so you’ll have plenty of choices to match your style.
2. Soothing Sage Green
I find that sage green is such a soothing color that instantly makes you feel calm. And I mean with all the stress from work, that’s a big plus.
You could paint an accent wall in sage green or use an arched wall decal like we talked about earlier. It’s a simple way to add a relaxing vibe to your home office.
3. Choose Neutral Colors
Especially in a small space and especially when you don’t get much natural light, neutral colors are perfect.
They not only make your space seem bigger (yay!), but they also help you focus without any distractions, which is a big plus.
Then you could add some life to your space with plants and cool wall art, for example.
4. Use Wallpaper
Wallpaper is a fantastic choice for jazzing up your home office walls. An awesome option is peel-and-stick wallpaper.
It’s super easy to put on and take off. Perfect, especially if you’re renting!
5. Create an Accent Wall
Adding a black accent wall is another idea worth thinking about.
But here’s the thing: I’d recommend going for a dark accent wall only if you have plenty of natural light.
Otherwise, it might make your space feel even smaller and more cramped.
But if you’ve got the light, it can definitely add some interest and depth to your home office!
6. Go Pink
Isn’t this home office just adorable? If pink is your thing, why not go for it? I think it adds a fun creative touch to your workspace.
But hey, at the end of the day, it’s all about what makes you feel most productive and comfy in your home office.
So whether it’s neutral tones, a bold black accent wall, or a splash of pink, it doesn’t really matter. As long as it makes you feel good!
Let’s Take a Look at Furniture for Our Small Home Office Setup
Once you’ve found a nook or free corner in your home, it’s time to check out desks that will fit that space.
Trust me, you’ll see that it’s totally possible to create a cool home office even in a small area. Let’s look at some examples!
1. Ladder Desk
A ladder desk is a great way to use vertical space without taking up much room. What’s nice about them is the shelves above.
These will give you extra storage space or a place to make your home office look a bit nicer.
2. DIY Floating Desk
If you’re crafty and love DIY projects, this idea might be for you. Building your own desk is a great option because you can make one that fits your space perfectly.
You can use a wood board or thick plywood to create a floating desk. The biggest plus is that it won’t take up any floor space! A win for those of us with limited space.
3. Compact Desk with Storage
Having a small desk with one or more drawers or open storage is a great choice for a smaller space. It won’t be a hassle trying to find the perfect spot because it might just fit right in!
4. Small Office Idea: Try a Cloffice
So, what’s a cloffice? Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like – an office in a closet!
The cool thing about it is that it’s not too pricey.
And you can easily create a desk surface using something like a piece of plywood from the hardware store if a regular desk won’t fit.
Plus, you can choose to take off the closet doors or leave them on. So you can shut them and forget about work once you’re done for the day haha!
5. Small Desk with Shelf
If space is super tight, a small desk with a shelf or two is a total lifesaver. It’ll squeeze into even the tiniest spots!
I stumbled upon one on Amazon that even rolls, so you can move your desk around wherever you need it. I’ll drop the link below for you.
6. Use a Foldable Desk
A foldable desk is awesome because you can just fold it up at the end of the day and save space when you’re not using it. Super convenient!
The one I’ve linked above comes in six different colors, so there’s probably a color that’ll catch your eye.
7. Keep an Eye Out for Vintage Finds
If you’re into vintage pieces, then keep an eye out for these antique secretarial desks. They’re great and add a lot of character to your space!
8. Wall-Mounted Foldable Desk
Similar to the foldable desk we just saw, a wall-mounted foldable desk is another cool option.
It hardly takes up any space at all, and you can fold it up at the end of the day to free up even more room. Plus, the one I linked above also comes in black!
9. Corner Desk
If you’ve got an awkward corner just sitting there, why not fill it with a corner desk? It’s the perfect way to make use of that empty space.
Plus, you’ve got some handy storage with the shelves underneath. Win-win!
Storage Solutions
When it comes to storage for your home office, it all boils down to how much stuff you’ve got and what kind of work you do.
If you’re mainly just using a laptop, you might not need a ton of storage.
But if you’re dealing with loads of paperwork or other materials, you’ll probably need more. Let’s check out some storage ideas!
1. IKEA Kallax Bookshelf as a Divider
A great option is an Ikea Kallax bookcase, where you can store all your work documents and papers.
Not only is it practical, but it can also act as a room divider, which separates your work area from the rest of the room.
2. Use a Pegboard
Pegboards are seriously awesome for storage. You can hang up all your work stuff on them, which is super handy because it frees up desk and floor space.
Use them for file organizers or even attach cup holders for pens and other accessories. And you can make it look really pretty with some inspiring wall art or shelves!
3. Vertical Storage
Definitely use the vertical space above your desk. It’s the best place to mount some floating shelves for your folders and other office supplies. Plus, you can add some decor to make it look more lively and inviting.
4. Place a Standing Shelf for Extra Storage
If you have enough space and don’t want to add holes to your walls, a standing shelf is a perfect option.
It’s a great spot for your printer and helps keep all your stuff organized. And you can also use cute pen holders or small drawers on your desk or shelves to keep everything tidy.
5. Add a Rolling Storage
I know this white organizer in the image isn’t rollable, but they are still great. The rollable ones are even better, though!
You can just say bye bye to them and roll them away when you don’t need them to free up some space.
Either way, they’re perfect for sliding under your desk so they don’t take up any extra room. You can find them at IKEA if you are interested.
Add a Personal Touch
Your home office should make you feel good and productive, and it should reflect your personality.
And so, adding a personal touch to your setup is super important. Let’s check out some ways you can do that!
1. Cozy Touches
Especially in the morning when you don’t feel like working, creating a cozy vibe with a soft glow from fairy lights, candles, and a table lamp can help ease you into the workday. I mean, who wants to be blinded by harsh overhead lights anyway?
2. Add Some Flowers
Whether they’re real or faux, flowers can really brighten up your home office and make it feel more inviting. Put them in a stylish vase that matches your aesthetic to make it look even better.
3. Your Achievements
Hanging your achievements on the wall above your desk or somewhere you can easily see them will definitely help keep you motivated and inspired.
4. Prints
Adding prints to your home office can really spruce it up and make it look super pretty! Whether they’re inspiring quotes or just for the aesthetics, they add a nice touch.
Personally, I love nature prints because I find them so calming. But you should see what works best for you!
5. Plant Wall + Neon Sign
I think this is such a good idea! She used four plant tiles that come together as one, creating a kind of plant wall.
Then she added a neon sign onto it. I absolutely love it! It really brightens up the space.
6. Add a Rug
Adding a rug not only makes your space feel cozy but also helps define your workspace, making it feel separate from the rest of the room.
Just pick one that matches the aesthetic of your room!
7. Aesthetic Vase + Plant
You can also use a stunning, unique vase without any flowers. It gives off a nice, minimal vibe.
And if you’ve got some extra space next to your desk and don’t need it for storage, why not throw in a larger plant? It’ll freshen up your home office and add a pop of color too!
8. Letter Board & Acrylic Chair
I love those letter boards! They’re so cute and perfect for giving yourself a little motivation every day.
Also, choosing an acrylic desk chair is a smart move. They’re visually lightweight, which can make your space seem bigger than it actually is. Yay!
I hope this post on how to create a home office in a small space helped you see just how easy it can be, even if you barely have room. With all these tips, I hope you feel ready to set up your own dedicated space that keeps you motivated and productive.
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