67 Small Home Office Ideas to Optimize Your Remote Workstation

Make working from home more efficient and enjoyable with small office ideas to suit any space. A compact home office workstation can be anything from a cloffice to a corner of the bedroom, living room, or dining room, or part of a finished basement or attic space.

From furniture choices to paint, wallpaper, lighting, plants, rugs, storage, layout, and more, check out these small office ideas for inspiration.

Small but stylish home office — The Spruce / Marty Baldwin

01 of 67

Warm Your Office With Color

Design by Sarah and Sons Interiors / Photo by Sarah Szwajkos

Office interiors can be sterile and uninspiring, but your home office is a blank slate that can be warmed up with color. Sarah and Sons Interiors mixed salmon pink walls, bold color accents, and a traditional wood desk facing one of the room's many windows for a homey feel.
02 of 67

Decorate With Plants

Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Create a mood-boosting atmosphere with office-friendly plants. Using plants to decorate will give new life and greenery to a space. In this small home office, a large cactus has a friendly presence without overwhelming the small space.
03 of 67

Hang Art Over the Desk

Neva Interior Design / Photo by Agathe Tissier

Define a home workspace with a colorful painting or a framed photograph. The artwork will give your eye something to focus on that doesn't involve office equipment.
04 of 67

Mix Old and New

Studio Peake

Mix old and new furniture and decor for a lived-in feel. Studio Peake paired a vintage desk with plenty of built-in storage, a tall table lamp, and a modern chair upholstered in floral fabric in this colorful London bedroom office.

Continue to 5 of 67 below
05 of 67

Add a Tropical Feel

Casa Watkins Living

Convert a spare bedroom into a colorful home office. Hang tropical wallpaper, lay out a red shag Moroccan-inspired rug, and include plenty of built-in and display storage for a modern boho-style feel.
06 of 67

Drench the Walls and Ceiling

House 9 Interiors

Color-drench a pocket-sized home office for a cozy feel. House 9 Interiors painted the walls, built-ins, trim, and ceilings in a medium-toned blue-green in this London workspace and decorated with books and plants.
07 of 67

Create a Hybrid Space

Ashley Montgomery Design

Turn a large dressing room or walk-in closet into a hybrid home workspace. There's nothing office-y about this small home office, with its soft pastel shades, wall of floral illustrations, and antique, antique furniture and decor.
08 of 67

Hang Patterned Wallpaper

Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Send yourself a visual cue that work should be fun using bold wallpaper. Try a playful check plaid wallpaper in a neutral color for a dynamic feel that isn't distracting.

Continue to 9 of 67 below
09 of 67

Combine With a Murphy Bed

Louis Duncan-He Designs / Eymeric Wildling Photography

Create a home office guest room with a built-in Murphy bed cabinet and a small desk. An olive green wood stain and dark flooring add earthiness to this bright space.
10 of 67

Soften With Decor

Design by Jessica Langrange Interiors / Photo by James Yochum

Make your home office feel cozy with soft decorative touches. Jessica Lagrange Interiors complemented floral wallpaper, a wingback office chair, and a curvy desk with vases of flowers, framed photos, and sentimental objects to make the space feel personal and inviting.
11 of 67

Try a Living Room Desk

Desiree Burns Interiors

Place a desk in a corner of the living room if you don't have space elsewhere. Desiree Burns Interiors chose a pale pink upholstered office chair that helps the office corner blend in with the overall color palette of the room.
12 of 67

Add an Accent Wall

Design by Maestri Studio / Photo by Jenifer McNeil Baker

Add personality to your home workstation with an office accent wall. Maestri Studio hung colorful jungle-inspired wallpaper behind the computer monitor and paired it with a vibrant desk chair to energize the otherwise all-white space.

Continue to 13 of 67 below
13 of 67

Double Space With Mirrors

Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer

Decorate with mirrors to bounce light and double views. In this space, a tall floor mirror is leaned up against the back wall for a casual look.
14 of 67

Try a Wall-Mounted Desk

Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Christy Q. Photo

Save space with a wall-mounted desk. This streamlined workstation consists of a tall wood and metal desk tucked into the corner, styled with books, photos, and objects.
15 of 67

Paint Your Home Office Pink

Design by O'Hara Interiors / Spacecrafting Photography

Paint your home office in your favorite color to personalize your workspace. This small but polished home office from O'Hara Interiors has fun girl-boss vibes with its white, black, and millennial pink palette and glossy finishes.
16 of 67

Try an L-Shaped Layout

Anita Yokota

Maximize a long and narrow home office with a slim worktop that spans the longest wall. Install a daybed at the far end to give you a place to read, nap, or hang out during off hours.

Continue to 17 of 67 below
17 of 67

Build in a Secretary Desk

Design by Caroline Andreoni Interior Design Studio / Photo by Laura Jacques

If you live in a studio, consider a built-in desk for a seamless look. Caroline Andréoni Interior Design Studio maximized space in a 140-square-foot studio apartment in Paris with a secretary-style wall desk that folds down when needed, and disappears when not in use.
18 of 67

Choose a Small Desk

Design by Space Factory / Photo by Herve Goluza

Save space with a small desk. This Parisian home office from Space Factory tucked under the eaves of an old French building has a petite desk that gets the job done without overwhelming the tight footprint.
19 of 67

Hang a Whimsical Pendant

Fantastic Frank

Mix practical and decorative elements to make your home office functional and inviting. This home office from Fantastic Frank includes a playful transparent glass bubble pendant light that practically disappears when not in use.

Layer Light Fixtures

Good lighting is one of the keys to making your small home office comfortable. Even if your workspace is flooded with natural light, be sure to incorporate task lighting for working and ambient light fixtures such as sconces and pendants that can be adjusted for different times of day and changes in the weather.
20 of 67

DIY a Closet Office

Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona

Repurpose a spare closet into a small but functional cloffice. This one has a built-in desk and storage painted in matte blue, shelves styled with knickknacks, and a modern pendant light that gives the tiny space some dimension.

Continue to 21 of 67 below
21 of 67

Repurpose a Vanity Table

Sara Tramp for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt

If you find yourself needing to work from home but don't have a dedicated office space, turn a bedroom vanity table into a workstation. Define a small alcove space with whimsical wallpaper and free up desk space with a sconce.
22 of 67

Choose Design Classics

Fantastic Frank

Create a stylish minimalist workspace by choosing key pieces with bona fide design cred. This home office bedroom combo from Fantastic Frank has a vintage-style wood desk, a midcentury modern desk chair designed by Verner Panton, as well as a USB-powered reedition of his classic 1969 Flowerpot lamp.
23 of 67

Create a Shared Space

Design by Space Factory / Photo by Herve Goluza

Create a shared home office in a space with a mezzanine level. This small split-level Parisian home office from Space Factory includes a lower level with a narrow U-shaped work surface and a wall-mounted pegboard for storage and display. Accessible by a ladder, the mezzanine level houses a second workstation, perfect for a work-at-home couple that doesn't mind being on top of one another.
24 of 67

Set Up a Bedroom Office

Design by Alvin Wayne

Make a small bedroom office more functional by creating zones. This New York City apartment is tucked in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows in the bedroom, with a large plant that helps to visually divide the space from the adjacent bed.

How to Zone a Bedroom Office

In addition to plants, you can separate work and sleep zones using a folding screen or furniture like a bookcase that can double as storage.

Continue to 25 of 67 below
25 of 67

Occupy a Quiet Corner

Design by Calimia Home / Photo by Karla Garcia

Turn a quiet corner into a home office. This out-of-the-way space by the back door of a Miami carriage house bungalow is outfitted with a simple desk and chair in shades of white that allows the workspace to practically disappear when not in use.
26 of 67

Embrace a Minimalist Look

Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Amber Thrane

If you think best with a clear desk, create a minimalist workspace. This compact home office keeps it crisp and graphic with tones of black and white and functional, minimal decor, plus some natural wood tones thrown in for a bit of warmth.
27 of 67

Wallpaper the Ceiling

Design by Maestri Studio / Photo by Jenifer McNeil Baker

Add personality to a small home office nook by wallpapering the ceiling. Touches of gold complement dark brown wood accents and creamy wall paint in this cozy space.
28 of 67

Make a DIY Mood Board

Lobster and Swan

Tack a DIY mood board on the wall that can be personalized and changed on a whim. Display whatever provides inspiration and motivation without worrying that it has to pass the safe-for-work test.

Continue to 29 of 67 below
29 of 67

Use Soothing Beige Tones

Becca Interiors

Not everyone loves having a workstation in the bedroom. Design it to fit in with the rest of your decor, like this neutral space decorated in warm wood and beige tones.
30 of 67

Hang a Wallpaper Accent

Neva Interior Design / Photo by Agathe Tissier

Define an open home office workstation with a wallpaper accent. Neva Interior Design chose a graphic pattern to complement white walls and furniture.
31 of 67

Install a Barn Door

JL Design / Photo by Leslee Mitchel

Save space in a small home office with a rustic barn door. JL Design managed to squeeze in a comfortable desk and a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf complete with a ladder that functions like a mini home library in this compact space.

Barn Door Considerations

A space-saving sliding barn door provides privacy when needed. Keep in mind that a sliding barn door is less effective at keeping noise out than a door with more of an airtight close if you live in a busy house.
32 of 67

Choose a Glass Desk

Yael Weiss Interiors

You can help make a small home office feel lighter and airier by using transparent furniture like a glass desk. Store clutter in a closet or a chest of drawers.

Continue to 33 of 67 below
33 of 67

Accessorize Your Workspace

Anita Yokota

Decorate your home office with personal knickknacks, souvenirs, or anything else that inspires you. This small home office from interior Anita Yokota is packed with touchstones and inspiration.
34 of 67

Glamorize Your Workspace

Jules Interiors

Elevate a small home workspace with glamorous touches. Glossy finishes, mixed metals, and a colorful photograph give this desk corner a polished feel.
35 of 67

Include Guest Seating

Design by Memmo Interiors / Photo by Laura Flippen

If you take client meetings in your home office, include seating for a guest. This home office from interior designer Rosanna Bassford of Memmo Interiors has rich shades of gray on the walls and cognac leather upholstered seating that adds warmth and comfort.
36 of 67

Use Transparent Furniture

Design by AHG Interiors / Photo by Nick Glimenakis

Choose furniture made from transparent materials to give a mezzanine office a light footprint. AHG Interiors installed a glass desk and clear polycarbonate armchair on in this Catskills home to create a stealth spot to log in and get some work done.

Continue to 37 of 67 below
37 of 67

Steal a Dining Room Corner

Neva Interior Design / Photo by Agathe Tissier

If you're tempted to use your dining room table as a de facto home office, consider tucking a dedicated desk in a corner instead. Choose a vintage style with rounded corners like this French apartment from Neva Interior Design to maintain flow.
38 of 67

Occupy a Stair Landing

JL Design / Photo by Leslee Mitchel

If you live in a home with a large enough stair landing, consider installing a desk to create a home office workspace. A window with a wide-open view keeps the small space from feeling too confined, and a soft rug underfoot adds coziness.
39 of 67

Install Black-Out Shades

Design by Memmo Interiors/ Photo by Helynn Ospina

Install window treatments such as black-out shades that will allow you to control light and privacy. This small home office from interior designer Rosanna Bassford of Memmo Interiors has a black-and-white palette, contemporary furnishings, and an assortment of framed photos and prints on the walls for a personal touch.
40 of 67

Build a Corner Workstation

Jenn Pablo Studio

Free up floor space in a small home office by installing a narrow built-in workspace. Jenn Pablo Studio optimized space with an L-shaped worktop that includes a picture window with a view of the outdoors.

Continue to 41 of 67 below
41 of 67

Arrange a Gallery Wall

Design by Lindye Galloway Studio / Photo by Chad Mellon

Hang a gallery wall to add color and interest to your workspace. Lindye Galloway Studio chose a mix of wall decor to complement the modern space.
42 of 67

Bring In Extra Light

Anita Yokota

If you are a homeowner, consider adding natural light to a windowless space by installing a Velux light tunnel in the ceiling. Interior designer Anita Yokota maximized light with recessed lighting on the underside of wall cabinets that provide open and closed storage.
43 of 67

Use a Muted Palette

Leclair Decor

Muted tones will create a serene environment that keeps distraction at bay. Leclair Decor located this neutral home office in the front of the home, far from the kids' main play area to help with noise control.
44 of 67

Create a Double Workstation

Design by AHG Interiors / Photo by Nick Glimenakis

Create a side-by-side workstation with a symmetrical layout to save space. AHG Interiors chose matching chairs and mirrors for a harmonious feel.

Continue to 45 of 67 below
45 of 67

Work in a Treehouse

Design by Maestri Studio / Photo by Jenifer McNeil Baker

Optimize space with a mezzanine home office. If your mezzanine lacks a treehouse view like this one from Maestri Studio, hang a nature-inspired wallpaper mural.
46 of 67

Set Up a Guest Room Office

Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Max Kim-bee

Hang a curtain from a tension rod to wall off the bed in a home office guest room. Leanne Ford Interiors split this shared workspace into zones for working by defining the communal desk area with black paint.
47 of 67

Use Under-Stairs Space

Design by Space Factory / Photo by Herve Goluza

Utilize an alcove to create a small home workstation like this one from Space Factory. Custom built-in storage under the stairs keeps files and keeps clutter out of sight.

Tip

Turning a pass-through space into a workstation is best suited for quiet parts of the home. Or for those who live alone or have the house to themselves during office hours.
48 of 67

Convert a Walk-In Closet

Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Erin Kelly

Turn a large walk-in closet into a small home office with a desk and a chair. This petite home office from Leanne Ford Interiors has an effortless hideaway feel, with vintage furniture and an oversized mood board.

Continue to 49 of 67 below
49 of 67

Use Cohesive Colors

Midcity Design Group

Keep an open-plan home workspace from looking out of place by using the same color palette as your interior. Trade a desk light for a table lamp to make it look more home than office.
50 of 67

Add a Shabby Chic Feel

Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer

Give your home office a Shabby Chic feel with white walls, weathered wood, and upholstered furniture. This space includes a French country-style wood desk, a brass desk lamp, and an upholstered armchair.
51 of 67

Commandeer an Alcove

Design by Jessica Lagrange Interiors / Photo by Kelly Allison

Turn an underutilized alcove into a small home office. Jessica Lagrange Interiors added a wall of bookshelves and a peninsula desk that allows for easy access and exit plus a view of the rest of the room.
52 of 67

Built-In Shelving

Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer

Look for hidden storage opportunities when designing a workspace. This under-stair alcove home office from Marie Flanigan Interiors has built-in open shelves on the left side to keep the above-desk area free for a wall sconce and a painting.

Continue to 53 of 67 below
53 of 67

Add Texture

Design by Jessica Langrange Interiors / Photo by Werner Straube

Hang a textile above your desk instead of a framed piece of art to add texture and help slightly dampen noise and echoes. Jessica Lagrange Interiors tacked up a Moroccan wedding blanket above the desk in this small home office.
54 of 67

Consider Layout

Keyanna Brown for Emily Henderson Design

To prevent glare, try positioning your desk so that the window is perpendicular to it on the wall to your right or left. This compact home office has clean modern white furniture and natural accents like a leather desk chair, natural woven basket storage, and a large fluffy sheepskin rug.
55 of 67

Try Horizontal Stripes

Design by Karen B Wolf Interiors / Photo by Raquel Langworthy

Painting the wall with horizontal stripes or hanging similar wallpaper will make a room feel wider and more spacious. Keep it neutral like this space from Karen B Wolf Interiors for a calming feel.
56 of 67

Paint the Walls Matte Black

Leclair Decor

If you find it hard to focus while working outside the office, try painting the walls in a soothing, grounding matte black. Pair the moody paint with light neutral accents and gold accessories for a balanced feel.

Continue to 57 of 67 below
57 of 67

Hang a Mirror Above the Desk

Fantastic Frank

If your desk faces a wall, try hanging a mirror above it so the bottom is just above your eye level while seated. This will allow you to look up and catch the view and light from behind you without staring back at yourself, like this small home office workstation from Fantastic Frank.
58 of 67

Finish the Basement

Michelle Berwick Design

If you don't need to close the door to focus on your work, consider carving out a home workspace that is part of a larger or open-plan room. Michelle Berwick Design tucked this compact home office into a corner of a multipurpose finished basement.
59 of 67

Reimagine the Laundry Room

Design by Kate Marker Interiors / Stoffer Photography

Carve out space in a quiet room like a laundry room to create a minimalist home office. Kate Marker Interiors created a small home office workstation in this spacious laundry room, with plenty of built-in storage that can be used to hide laptops and chargers when not in use.
60 of 67

Place a Desk Behind a Sofa

Design by Emily Henderson and Priscilla Frost / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Utilize overlooked square footage to create a small workspace. Place a desk and office chair behind the sectional sofa in a basement family room to turn the space into a home office by day.

Continue to 61 of 67 below
61 of 67

Repurpose the Sunroom

Design by Emilie Fournet Interiors / Photo by Caitlin Mogridge

Convert your sunroom into a home office. Emilie Fournet Interiors styled this London space with a small desk, a velvet swivel chair, and a cane room divider to define the space.
62 of 67

Swap Out Your Nightstand

Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Kaitlin Green

Skip the nightstand and install a desk instead. A live edge tabletop with hairpin legs and a modern table lamp that doubles as a bedside light make this workspace feel integrated with the rest of the bedroom decor.
63 of 67

Hang a Whiteboard

Marie Flanigan Interiors

Hang a whiteboard or a chalkboard on the wall for brainstorming sessions. Marie Flanigan Interiors hung a large whiteboard that also reflects light and views from the window in this narrow space.
64 of 67

Try a Writing Desk

Becca Interiors

Thrift and antique stores are full of desks left to languish and can be picked up at a reasonable price. Install an antique writing desk and chair in a traditional bedroom to create a station for paying bills, writing a novel, or working from home in a pinch.

Continue to 65 of 67 below
65 of 67

Add a Vase of Flowers

Alvin Wayne

Brightening your apartment workstation with a small vase of your favorite flowers can make work feel like less of a chore. Interior designer Alvin Wayne chose vibrant pink roses that pop against the neutral color palette of this New York City space.
66 of 67

Include Boho-Style Touches

Blanco Bungalow

Decorate your home office to match the style of your interiors. Blanco Bungalow added boho design touches to this bright home office with a Moroccan rug and trailing plants.
67 of 67

Utilize Overlooked Spaces

Design by Candace Mary Interiors / Photo by Martin Vecchio

If you live in an older home with a quirky layout, look for hidden spaces to set up a small home workspace. Candace Mary Interiors chose a pass-through space between the bedroom and bathroom that fits a small desk and chair.

Best Home Office Furniture Roundups

1 of 6

67 Small Home Office Ideas for a Stylish and Functional Remote Workstation

Warm Your Office With Color

Decorate With Plants

Hang Art Over the Desk

Mix Old and New

Add a Tropical Feel

Drench the Walls and Ceiling

Create a Hybrid Space

Hang Patterned Wallpaper

Combine With a Murphy Bed

Soften With Decor

Try a Living Room Desk

Add an Accent Wall

Double Space With Mirrors

Try a Wall-Mounted Desk

Paint Your Home Office Pink

Try an L-Shaped Layout

Build in a Secretary Desk

Choose a Small Desk

Hang a Whimsical Pendant

Layer Light Fixtures

DIY a Closet Office

Repurpose a Vanity Table

Choose Design Classics

Create a Shared Space

Set Up a Bedroom Office

How to Zone a Bedroom Office

Occupy a Quiet Corner

Embrace a Minimalist Look

Wallpaper the Ceiling

Make a DIY Mood Board

Use Soothing Beige Tones

Hang a Wallpaper Accent

Install a Barn Door

Barn Door Considerations

Choose a Glass Desk

Accessorize Your Workspace

Glamorize Your Workspace

Include Guest Seating

Use Transparent Furniture

Steal a Dining Room Corner

Occupy a Stair Landing

Install Black-Out Shades

Build a Corner Workstation

Arrange a Gallery Wall

Bring In Extra Light

Use a Muted Palette

Create a Double Workstation

Work in a Treehouse

Set Up a Guest Room Office

Use Under-Stairs Space

Tip

Convert a Walk-In Closet

Use Cohesive Colors

Add a Shabby Chic Feel

Commandeer an Alcove

Built-In Shelving

Add Texture

Consider Layout

Try Horizontal Stripes

Paint the Walls Matte Black

Hang a Mirror Above the Desk

Finish the Basement

Reimagine the Laundry Room

Place a Desk Behind a Sofa

Repurpose the Sunroom

Swap Out Your Nightstand

Hang a Whiteboard

Try a Writing Desk

Add a Vase of Flowers

Include Boho-Style Touches

Utilize Overlooked Spaces

Best Home Office Furniture Roundups

More from The Spruce