Seeking small home office ideas? Here's 12 compact solutions

Small home office ideas can sometimes feel challenging - especially if your work life has changed and you've swapped corporate spaces for a remote role or have taken the leap into working for yourself.

The reality is that while the extra time saved from not commuting may be a bonus, jostling for space at the kitchen table to get your job done can be less than appealing. And while you may be able to include a home office design in your self-build, extension or renovation project, you may not want to, or indeed be able to allocate a huge space to the cause.

The good news is, you don't need to. The rise in working from home has resulted in a variety of solutions and we're sharing 12 office ideas for small spaces we think will work out just right.

Small home office ideas are achievable say the design experts

“More often than not, people think they need a big, open space to dedicate as a home office," says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director of Kelling Designs and Kelling Home, "but any good designer knows that isn't necessarily the case. 

"Whether you have space to set up a desk in a hallway or at the top of the stairs, repurpose a small nook in a room, or even build a hide-away office in bespoke joinery, you really can create a dedicated home office in even the most compact of homes."

Start by taking a good look at all of your home and how you use each room to help figure out where your small home office ideas will work best.

Emma Deterding

Emma Deterding is a leading interior designer who has been named among the top 100 in the world. With over twenty-five years of experience, Emma has honed her ability to offer well thought-out schemes for private clients, turning  their homes into beautifully designed and practical places.

1. Install a half height wall to help divide an open-plan room

If your home office design ideas mean finding space in a shared open-plan kitchen or living room, it could be time to put your DIY skills to the test and find out how to build a partition wall. 

"To visually separate the work area in small home office ideas, it’s a good idea to incorporate room dividers or curtains, as this will help to mentally distinguish between work and leisure," says Claire Garner, director of Claire Garner Interiors.

To still allow light to flood through, choose vertical open slats for the top section rather than going full height. And even though this may increase natural light, "lighting is important in any work setting," notes Claire, "so take time to ensure you have adequate lighting with a focused desk lamp to avoid eye strain."

Claire Garner

Claire has over 15 years’ experience in the interior design industry, and over a decade running her own interior design studio. Her ability to design is well known as is her skill in creating beautiful designs through layered simplicity; evoking a true sense of depth and calm in her spaces.

2. Convert a cupboard to a stylishly small home office

For anyone feeling as envious as me looking at this petite, but perfectly formed small home office idea, it's not that hard to recreate if you have the skills and an eye for design, according to Emma Deterding, who designed this cupboard based concept.

"Using full height cabinet doors, you can create a dedicated home office in the smallest of spaces with a bespoke desk, shelving and cabinetry for important files, with space for your desk chair to slot in," explains Emma.

"Open the doors to reveal your office when in use, and simply close them to hide it away creating a defined zone between work and living spaces."

For maximum storage, be sure to follow the example of this built in desk idea which comprises a double-height desk and drawers on both levels, providing space for smaller stationery and paperwork.

3. Or, opt for a freestanding bureau as an all-in-one solution

If the need to find office ideas for small spaces has come post home renovation, or you've already completed your single storey extension and didn't dedicate space to a small home office idea, don't worry, you still have options says Claire Garner. 

"For creating a compact but organised office without overwhelming a room, choose multifunctional furniture, like a desk with built-in storage or floating shelves," she suggests.

Bureaus are a perfect example of furniture that is designed for practical purposes. With pull out desks, closing doors and usually an array of nooks and crannies for storing smaller items, they can turn an unused corner of a room into a discreet work space.

Some of our favourite office bureau furniture

4. Carve out a corner in a loft conversion

When your loft conversion ideas are large in size, it's worth asking yourself if you could turn over a small section of your overall floor plan to a small home office. Given most of your time is spent sitting down (unless of course you have a stand-up desk), locating your desk next to a sloping roof and skylight could be more valuable use of space than trying to squeeze in an extra fitted wardrobe or chest of drawers.

And while this bijoux work space benefits from plenty of natural light, choosing your colour scheme in small spaces is equally important.

“Small home offices can really benefit from white walls," says Stephanie Aubrey, brand specialist at Zinus. "Not only can this make the room appear brighter and more spacious, but the use of a light colour can have a positive impact on productivity too."

5. Disguise a space under the stairs

It's rare to find small home office ideas that don't make reference to the space under the stairs - but their success can vary depending on how well they're thought through. 

Done well, as shown in this example, the space is practical and clever. The reason for its success? It's made to measure and whether you have the skills to make this yourself, or need to call in the experts, it's a choice worth taking.

"Over the years, we've seen many people move away from built-in, bespoke joinery, opting for freestanding designs that can be bought from an array of shops and retailers," says Emma Deterding. "However, I believe that joinery really is your best friend when it comes to creating a home office and even when it comes to making sure you have enough storage."

6. Turn your landing into a laptop area

If you think of your landing purely as means of access to your upper floors, it could be time to think again. 

"Unexpected spaces for a home office can often be found in overlooked areas of a home," says Claire Garner. Emma Deterding agrees.

"Often overlooked and underused other than for moving around the home, a hallway or the space at the top or bottom of a staircase often has enough room for small home office ideas," confirms Emma.

Perfect if you only need a worktop and phone, or only work from home one or two days a week, it can also be a quieter space during the day making it a neat and secluded spot for uninterrupted concentration.

7. Think vertically when it comes to storage 

"An underutilised corner of a large kitchen or dining room can also serve as a cosy workspace, especially if it offers natural light," suggests Claire Garner.

Her tips for making the most of small home office ideas based in communal areas?

"Start by selecting a specific corner or wall to dedicate to the office and use multifunctional or compact furniture like a wall-mounted or foldable desk and a slim chair, to maximise the space available. 

"Try to make the most of vertical space with shelves or wall organisers too," says Claire, "which will help to keep the area tidy and free up desk space."

8. Relocate to an outdoor office pod

If garden office ideas have been on your radar, but your garden space is at as much of a premium as your indoor space, don't give up your search just yet. There are options available.

These small office pods from The Ultimate Space are just one example of small garden offices that contain all you need, but take up a minimum amount of room. Just be sure to check that whatever option you choose will suit your needs regarding power and connectivity. 

9. Make your walls work harder

If you're utilising alcoves for your small home office ideas, be sure to make the most of your walls with the addition of notice boards or as demonstrated in this case, peg boards. 

Adding valuable extra storage to your small space, they can also be used for displaying items that add a little more personality to your room - something the experts say works well.

"Adding personal and inspiring decor, such as a small plant, artwork, or a motivating vision board, helps to make any office space inviting and stimulating without overwhelming the room's primary function," says Claire Garner.

10. Colour drench in creams and soft greys

Although we've already touched on the opportunities for creating laptop zones on smaller landings, "wide hallways or landings can be repurposed into very functional office areas with the right furniture and decor," says Claire Garner. "These spaces, when thoughtfully designed, can provide quiet and productive environments away from the main living areas.

"Light, neutral colours like whites, soft greys, or pastels can make the area feel larger and more open," she suggests, "while strategically placed mirrors will reflect the light, adding depth to the space."

11. Create a hidden room in your new home designs

This secret home office, concealed behind a sliding door in a remodelled ex-council house in London (by Inglis Badrashi Loddo Architects) shows how you can make even the smallest of layouts fun. 

The sliding mirrored door is a great space-saving solution and will double up as a handy mirror when finalising your hallway ideas.

The only downside? A lack of natural light so be sure to follow the advice for lighting a home office to make sure you've got enough light to work from.

12. Create a workspace for all the family

When working from home involves juggling family life with your professional role, choosing small home office ideas that work for everyone may be the best solution for now.

If this sounds all too familiar, then take inspiration from this project which has located a communal desk to the other side of a kitchen diner idea, with discreet shelving for storage tucked behind a pillar. It's a simple but easy way of transitioning more easily between work and play until such times as the space can become your own.

The final solution for office ideas in small spaces comes from Emma Deterding. 

"If you have a spare bedroom that no one really uses except when loved ones visit, you can easily transform it into a home office with a desk, ample storage and an office-style chair, whilst keeping sleep an option with a sofa bed or pull-out bed."

For more home office inspiration, head to modern home office ideas where a touch of contemporary may also help to transform your small home office ideas, or even consider Ikea home office ideas if you're hoping to pick up a high street solution to your office needs.