A home office was once a luxury (imagine someone calling it a “study”), but it has now become a necessity for many people. Small home office ideas are very important for people who are short on space and need creative design tricks to make small spaces suitable for working from home. For example, cleverly placed closets, hidden work spaces, and furniture that magically transforms from your TV console. , or a cabinet with a personal workstation. These small home office decorating ideas from interior design professionals across the country will help you work in style, especially if you're short on floor space.
How can you make the most of your small home office space?
The good news is that in the digital age, your work area doesn't necessarily need as much square footage as your old home office. “Gone are the days when an office space required a lot of storage space and document filing,” says Brad Ramsey of Brad Ramsey Interiors in Nashville. “In today's digital world, where you can access files on the cloud from anywhere, your office space needs to provide a quiet environment where you can set up your laptop and concentrate.” Choosing a desk that's well-designed can also make a difference, says Ginger Curtis of Urbanology Designs in North Richland Hills, Texas. He recommends using “vertical file organizers or wall pockets for documents and office supplies.”
What's the best way to arrange workstations within a large living space?
“Even if you don't have a dedicated room for a home office, there are plenty of alternatives that don't require sacrificing style for function,” says Ramsey. “Replacing a bedside table in the guest room with a small writing desk is also an option. Floating the table behind the sofa, like a console, is also an attractive approach.” “Using a table lamp instead can make the vignette look more decorative and connected to the aesthetics of the rest of the room,” he adds. Curtis agrees that intentional style, like furniture placement, can help define a workspace. “Place a desk in the dining room where you would normally put a hutch or credenza,” she says. “Alcoves are another chance to strategically place small workstations.”
Read our roundup of decorating ideas to make the most of your small home office space.