10 Tips for Squeezing a Home Office Into a Tiny Space

Rachel Elmkies

Home offices are a little luxury—one you can afford even in a small space. The key to squeezing a home office into your small space is considering every option: Don’t overlook the attic, basement, or the space under the stairs! Read on for 10 brilliant and unexpected work space ideas.

1. Kitchen 

Photo: affectingspaces.com

The kitchen is where all the action happens, so if you’re the cubicle type, this arrangement may not work for you. But if you’re a good multi-tasker—or need an afternoon homework station—this is where it’s at. This kitchen office utilizes dead space across near the fridge, and provides plenty of room to spread out. The chalkboard wall complements the playful, modern aesthetic.

Related: 16 Gorgeous Galley Kitchens

2. Living Room

Photo: ikea.com

Love the corner spot in the office? There’s a certain advantage in camping out on the periphery of the room: an optimal vantage point, for one, and more privacy. When doing a walk-through of your house, consider any unused nook as a potential home for your office—whether or not it’s in a common area.

Related: 10 Ways to Create a Home Office that Works for You

3. Attic

Photo: tallmansegerson.com

Head up to the attic for some solitude and your most productive work day. Bonus: You’ll be forced to declutter the room to make your office fit. Your hard work will pay off—promise!

Related: Under the Eaves: 10 Arresting Attic Rooms

4. Under the Stairs

 Photo: ikea.com

If you’re truly space-starved, you don’t have the luxury of ignoring any unused square footage. Unless the area under your stairs is necessary for the structural integrity of your home, open the space for an office! In this room by IKEA, designers don’t waste any vertical space—wall-mounted shelving and rolling bins add smart storage.

Related: 15 Clever Uses for the Space Under the Stairs

5. Basement

Photo: Herridge and Associates, Inc. 

Not every office space needs bright natural light and peppy colors. If your taste is dark, embrace it! The best way to pull it off? The recessed lighting in this basement office keeps this work space from feeling like a cave, while the wallpaper adds warmth and texture.

Related: Life Underground: 10 Beautiful Basement Makeovers

6. Entryway

Photo: hunterkerhart.com

You need to have confidence to pull off the entryway office space. But if you decide to situate your office space in a narrow entryway, start with a huge mirror! It’ll make the hallway feel twice as wide and invite natural light. Consider choosing a desk that’s part of a larger storage unit to help it blend into the room.

Related: 7 Things Every Entryway Needs

7. Closet

Photo: Zillow Digs

If you’re blessed with more closet space than you need, consider converting a spare into a cozy office. After clearing it out, add shelving and task lighting, then settle in with a supportive chair. When it’s time to call it a night, just close the door! Once you do, all that work will be a distant memory.

Related: 10 Ingenious Alternatives to a Traditional Home Office

8. Hidden Away

Photo: increation.co.uk

We love this idea! A simple, modular built-in along a wall of cabinets keeps your office out of sight while you take a snack break or entertain friends on the weekend. Extra shelves ensure that books and a printer are within easy reach.

Related: Assembly Required: 15 DIY Kit Homes

9. Dining Room

Photo: chorazakstudio.pl

Want a desk so low profile you can barely see it? Then this design inspiration is for you! This tiny home office faces the kitchen, sitting just below the island countertop. Bright white walls and pendant lighting keep the space bright and inviting. To get the look, adopt a minimalist design scheme and keep clutter tucked out of sight.

Related: Top 10 Clutter Hot Spots—and Quick Tips for Tackling Them

10. Bedroom

Photo: ikea.com

It’s not the best idea to work where you sleep, but sometimes there’s no way around it. If you do decide to keep your home office in your bedroom, add storage with doors, so you can shut papers, printers, or other distractions out of sight. It will help you sleep—and prove to be an organizational advantage!

Related: 11 Things Never to Keep in Your Bedroom