Raise your hand if your morning “commute” consists of rolling out of bed and taking two steps to your “office” aka the makeshift desk in the corner of your bedroom. Sigh. Working remotely can sometimes feel anything but exciting, but your workspace doesn’t have to be. Considering home is where we spend most of our time these days, it’s funny that many of us still haven’t put much effort into creating workstations we love. That being said, we’re not all lucky enough to have a spare room in the house to set up shop, nor do we have the time and resources to build, buy, or create anything drastic. Well, it turns out you don’t need a ton of money or space to create a great home office. When we turned to Instagram to gather some small office ideas, we couldn’t believe some of the clever spaces we discovered.
Short on space? Utilizing empty closets, vacant walls, or even nooks underneath the stairs, designers and DIY-ers alike are creating small office solutions that are both functional and chic.
It’s time re-assess that neglected area of your home, that with a little attention and creativity, might become your ideal workspace. Just take it from these 14 small offices – you do not need an empty room or even a ton of square footage to create a place where you love to get stuff done. Scroll on for small office ideas from some of our favorite instagrammers that are minimalist, practical, and cute.
Transform an empty closet.
Meet the “cloffice,” aka the closet-office. Tucked away from the rest of your home with just enough room for a desk and simple storage, a vacant closet can actually be the perfect place to set up shop.
Plan around a vacant wall in your bedroom.
Your bedroom might not be the first choice for a designated work spot, but sometime’s it’s the only space available. Set up a small desk on a vacant wall that can even double as a vanity or nightstand. There you have it: a low-key, yet functional workspace.
Set up a window nook.
A dreamy window nook never disappoints. If you can, gravitate towards the natural light in your house or apartment when considering where to set up your workspace.
Maximize your space.
Assess your surroundings and think about a quiet spot in your home that might have under-utilized space. A walk-in closet can sometimes be the best home office because it’s private and already built for storage.
Opt for a built-in desk.
Built-ins are both clean and functional and give the space a defined purpose.
Keep the decor simple.
When it comes to accessorizing your space, less is more. Small spaces can easily become cluttered, so be careful not to overcomplicate it!
Don’t be afraid to set up in common areas.
If you have an open wall in your living room or kitchen, consider letting it serve “double duty” as your workspace. Just make sure to have noise-canceling headphones handy so that you can tune out and get in the zone.
Have a way to close off the space when you’re not using it.
If you plan to transform a closet into your workspace, consider using a door or curtain to close it off from the room when you’re logging off for the day.
Create a workspace under the stairs.
If you have an open staircase, experiment with the vacant space underneath for a unique and inspired work nook.
Decorate with small plants.
Bring the outdoors in and spruce up your space with small plants or succulents.
Pick a consistent color scheme.
Stick with colors and textures that feel calming and expansive. Think whites and light neturals – since it’s a small space, you want it to feel as spacious as possible.
Find the right chair.
While your chair will be one of the main design accents in a small space, make sure your setup is also designed ergonomically – comfort is a MUST.
Think tall.
Incorporate open shelving above your desk and storage down below so that you can have ample storage room for any supplies.
Add your personal flair.
Your workspace should reflect who you are. Don’t be afraid to add a little personality with fun wallpaper or one or two bold accessories. Besides, there are no rules in a small space!
