10 Small Office Ideas at Home: Creative and Practical Home Workspace Inspirations from My Design ExperienceElena HartwellSep 24, 2025Table of Contents1. Built-in Desk by the Window2. Floating Wall Shelves3. Fold-down Murphy Desk4. Under-stair Nook5. Dual-purpose Dining Table6. Wall-mounted Organizer Board7. Built-in Closet Office8. Narrow Desk in the Hallway9. Corner L-shaped Desk10. Rolling WorkstationFAQFree Room PlannerDesign your dream room online for free with the powerful room designer toolStart for FREEA few years ago, a client asked me to fit an office, yoga corner, and a cat playground into her 12㎡ apartment. At first, I almost laughed — then I realized small spaces often spark the best ideas. Over the years, I've learned that a compact home office doesn’t have to sacrifice style or function. In this post, I’ll share 10 small office ideas at home that I've personally used for clients and myself.1. Built-in Desk by the WindowNatural light boosts mood and productivity. I once converted a deep windowsill into a slim, stylish working desk. Paired with a sleek task lamp, it became the favorite corner of the house. Using a room planner helped me figure out the exact measurements without guesswork.save pin2. Floating Wall ShelvesWall-mounted shelves save floor space while keeping your essentials handy. I usually recommend varying shelf lengths for visual interest. The only challenge? Avoid overloading them with clutter, or your workspace will feel cramped.save pin3. Fold-down Murphy DeskGreat for multipurpose rooms — the desk folds up when you’re done. Perfect for studio apartments or shared living space. Clients love the ‘now you see it, now you don’t’ magic, but you’ll need sturdy wall anchors to make it last.save pin4. Under-stair NookThose awkward spaces under stairs are goldmines. I once added a custom desk and tiny shelves there, and it turned into a cozy hideaway. Lighting is key — so add an LED strip and it feels intentional, not forgotten.save pin5. Dual-purpose Dining TableFor very small apartments, I often turn a dining table into a part-time office. A chic desk mat and some storage baskets can instantly shift it into work mode. Using a free floor plan creator makes rearranging furniture in small homes much less risky.save pin6. Wall-mounted Organizer BoardCorkboards, wire grids, pegboards — they help you keep papers and gadgets off the desk. Plus, seeing everything in one place can boost workflow. The downside? You’ll need to curate what stays up there, or it gets messy quickly.save pin7. Built-in Closet OfficeAlso called a “cloffice” — you turn an unused closet into a mini office. Close the doors when you’re off duty, and poof — the office disappears. Ventilation and lighting are the tricky parts, but both can be solved with slim LED strips and a small desk fan.save pin8. Narrow Desk in the HallwayA hallway might not seem like a workspace, but I’ve created functional setups there using narrow, custom desks. They’re not for heavy computer use, but perfect for laptop work or writing. Visual separation with a rug helps it feel distinct.save pin9. Corner L-shaped DeskL-desks can fit surprisingly well into small corners and give more surface area. I once paired this with vertical storage above, making an almost command-center effect. Using a office layout planner can help position everything ergonomically.save pin10. Rolling WorkstationA portable cart or small desk on wheels means your office can move with you. I’ve used this for clients who like working in different rooms throughout the day. The only caveat — commit to keeping it tidy, or you’ll just be moving clutter around.save pinFAQ1. How can I create a home office in a small space?Use multi-functional furniture, vertical storage, and natural light to maximize your area.2. What’s the best lighting for a small home office?Natural light is ideal, paired with adjustable LED task lamps for evening work.3. How do I make my small home office look bigger?Light colors, mirrors, and minimal clutter can visually expand a room, according to the American Society of Interior Designers.4. Can I use my bedroom as an office?Yes, but separate work and sleep zones using rugs or screens to maintain balance.5. What’s the cheapest way to make a small home office?Repurpose existing furniture and DIY shelves to save costs.6. How important is chair ergonomics?Very — poor seating can cause back and neck issues, so invest in adjustable chairs where possible.7. How do I hide cables in a small office?Use under-desk cable trays, clips, and Velcro wraps to manage wires neatly.8. Should I personalize my small office?Absolutely — adding a few personal items can make the space more inviting and help boost motivation.Start for FREEPlease check with customer service before testing new feature.Free Room PlannerDesign your dream room online for free with the powerful room designer toolStart for FREE