At this point, those of us who are still working from home will likely continue working from home! What was at first an emergency response to create a home work space is now permanent. It’s definitely time to make some upgrades to your home office to maximize your work space with these small home office ideas!
Unless you already had a home office, you likely picked the smallest, least used room in your house as your new work space. With some thoughtful design choices, you can make your small space into a super focused room where you can feel your most productive!
Barn Doors
One of our favorite ways to maximize space in small rooms is by using a barn door. Because they don’t take up any square footage when opened, there is no need to sacrifice precious floor space with a standard swing door!
The right type of barn door can serve as functional art while it hangs on your wall.
These gorgeous double barn doors make a statement of tranquility, focus and thoughtful design.
The bold, black matte rails compliment rustic or modern decor.
By making an essential item into decor, you can maintain a more minimalist look in your home office.
A barn door with tempered glass panels is the perfect way to maintain a private office space without feeling too isolated from the rest of your home.
Small rooms benefit from light. With a solid door, your small room might feel more cramped
than it would if it had a door that allows light to pass through.
Using glass paneled doors is a classic trick to making a small room feel larger.
Flip Down Desk
You’ve heard of Murphy beds, but have you ever heard of a Murphy desk? This desk can be a workspace by day, bookshelf by night. This desk will certainly help keep you tidy and organized, as if you want your floor space back, the desk has to be totally clear!
For an even smaller footprint, you could consider a “floating desk”, which is essentially a large, folding shelf that can serve as a desk.
These tiny desks are excellent when you need a room to serve multiple functions. They are so small, they could even fit in a hallway or foyer! If your chair doubles as a dining chair, you can save even more space.
Closet Office
Declutter your closet while creating a compact workspace! This should be a closet that is seldom used, like one in a guest room full of things you never wear. When you closet those closet doors to conceal your office, the space can still function as a guest room. This is ideal for creating that healthy work/life balance– at the end of the day, you don’t have to look at your computer!
Loft Bed
If you’re super tight on space, it’s time to think vertically! A lofted bed desk combo is perfect for people who live in studios or don’t have any other square footage to spare!
This is the kind of game changing small home office idea that will have the smallest footprint!
Hidden Bureau Office
This super compact workstation is a great way to stay organized. During the day, you can take over the folding desk. When you are ready to relax, you can neatly tuck away your work and almost forget it’s there. It doesn’t scream “home office” when you are entertaining or trying to take your mind off of work.
You can set some meaningful art on top to keep you inspired while you work while it simultaneously contributes to your home decor.
A subtle bureau can be in your main living space or a bedroom without being obtrusive.
Coffee Bar Work Station
This small home office set up *almost* feels like working at a bistro. A corner workstation has a very small footprint as it takes up virtually no floor space. This is a super versatile set up. You can choose to either sit or stand at your desk without having to buy any specialty equipment. This desk is a super easy DIY, making it an affordable option as well.
TV Monitor
If you have a small living space, you probably have a lot of experience with multipurpose furnishings. If you’ve got no room to spare, using a TV as a computer monitor is a great option. You can use a wireless keyboard on a TV tray or similar table to have a seriously low- impact office.
Bookcase Desk
This is both aesthetically pleasing and clever. Bookshelves take up A LOT of wall space and don’t necessarily get used every day.
An under desk bookshelf is a brilliant way to make the most out of a small space without sacrificing an entire piece of furniture. This is truly the best of both worlds in terms of function and charm.
Nook Office
Even the smallest home has awkward, under-utilized corners. Take inventory of underused spaces and turn even the smallest nook into a tidy home office.
Get creative with corner desks to really maximize every single inch! Add a few floating shelves to increase storage and utility vertically when floor space is lacking.
Kitchen Office
Though not always practical, removing a few cabinets from the kitchen can make way for a tidy work space near your watering hole. With some careful space planning and creativity, carving out space for a home office in your kitchen is a clever way to save space in your home.
Interested in learning more about how to maximize the floor space in your office? Check out these stylish barn door models.
