7 Ways to Incorporate a Home Office Workspace Into Your Home

In today's post-pandemic world, many of us find ourselves working from home, whether by choice or necessity. As an interior designer with a focus on crafting innovative and multi-purpose room designs, I understand the challenges that come with creating functional, beautiful spaces, especially when space is limited. One of the most common requests I receive from clients, particularly busy professionals with growing families, is to incorporate a home office into their homes. In this blog, we'll look at creative solutions for adding a home office to your living space, even when room is at a premium, including repurposing a closet and using a desk as a bedside table.

1. The Alcove Office

If your home is tight on space, don't despair. Look for unused or underutilized nooks and crannies within your home, such as alcoves or corners. These areas can often be transformed into efficient home offices. Custom-built or modular furniture can be designed to fit these spaces perfectly, making the most of every square inch.

2. Dual-Purpose Furniture

As an interior designer passionate about crafting multi-functional spaces, I highly recommend furniture that serves more than one purpose. Consider a stylish wall-mounted desk that can fold up when not in use. Combining it with shelving and storage solutions can keep your workspace organized and your living area clutter-free. Furthermore, you can get creative by using a desk as a bedside table in your bedroom, making the most of a versatile piece of furniture.

Use a desk in place of a bedside table. This is one of my favourite tricks when space is at a premium and you need the room to do more when there is less space.

3. Creative Room Dividers

For open concept living spaces, creating a home office can be a challenge. However, you can use creative room dividers to separate the workspace from the rest of the living area. Sliding panels, bookshelves, or even sheer curtains can add a sense of privacy while maintaining an open and airy feel.

4. Under-Stair Nooks

If you have a staircase in your home, the space beneath it is often an untapped resource. Custom-designed under-stair nooks can house your home office, and it's a clever way to maximize the square footage. This design choice can create a cozy and functional workspace while maintaining a sleek look.

photo credit: Janel Holiday Interior Design

5. Lofted Office

For homes with higher ceilings, consider lofting your home office. This design approach can help you take advantage of vertical space. It's a great solution for creating a quiet, focused workspace while preserving valuable floor space for other uses.

6. Convertible Murphy Desks

Murphy desks are perfect for small spaces. These wall-mounted desks can be folded down when needed and tucked away when not in use. They come in various designs, ensuring you can find one that matches your interior style.

7. Repurposing a Closet

Repurposing a closet into a home office is an underused space-saving solution. Clear out the closet, add a desk, some shelving, and proper lighting, and you've got a private workspace hidden behind closed doors.

For this boy’s bedroom, there were two closets on either side of the space, one of which was being used for storage. I proposed repurposing one to use as a mini-workspace by removing the doors and installing a desk with shelving above to maximize the space. Doing this meant we could make the most of the main bedroom footprint, which was already limited, keeping it open and less crowded with furniture.

Adding a home office to a limited space is a design challenge that requires creativity and innovative thinking. By making the most of every inch, you can create a workspace that is not only functional but also a beautiful sanctuary in your home.

If you'd like to explore more ideas for optimizing limited spaces, please don't hesitate to reach out. At Jenn Butterworth Interiors, we're passionate about finding design solutions that work for our clients' lives.