Smart Space Solutions: Home Office Ideas

In this day and age, having a home office is a huge convenience. So much is done on a laptop or tablet whether it’s work, bills, homework, scrapbooking, or a slew of other things. If you don’t have a dedicated office space, getting these things done efficiently can be a challenge.

However, not everyone has an extra bedroom to devote to a home office. The good news is that you don’t need one. There are plenty of other spots in a home where you can fit a desk and even some storage with clever space planning. Even if your place is on the smaller side, chances are there is a spot that can accommodate a desk with some simple rearranging.

Here are five efficient places to put a home office when you don’t have a spare bedroom.

Family Room

A desk can easily be fit into most family rooms with some smart space planning. One of the most common places to put one is behind the sofa, but you could also put it by a window or along a wall in place of a console table. If you’re worried about the clutter, opt for a desk with built-in cabinets or install shelving and use pretty baskets or boxes to hide your office supplies and documents. A stylish desk and chair also adds character to the living room.

Formal Living or Dining Room

For some families, formal living rooms and dining rooms are rarely used.  Turning one of them into a home office is a great way to take advantage of the space. To add privacy, you can install a sliding barn door, hang curtains over the entryway, or prop up decorative screens. To combat the lack of storage space, bookcases work well and there are stand-alone closet options from a certain Swedish furniture store that add plenty of storage and look great.

Kitchen

The kitchen is a convenient spot for a desk, especially if you or someone you love has work to do while cooking. It’s right in the heart of everything so you don’t have to go far to take care of other tasks. If you aren’t using the breakfast nook, it can work well as a home office nook instead. Some kitchens even come with built-in desks or you can install one pretty easily.

Closet

A standard closet fits a desk well and you can get plenty of shelving around it. If you want it hidden, simply close the doors. You could also remove the doors entirely if you don’t mind the desk being visible. This works great in a guest room or even a hall closet.

Loft

Loft space can seem a bit awkward and have you scratching your head about exactly how to make use of it. A home office is a great solution. Even if you just have a small corner, you can find a desk to fit it or have one custom-made. (They’re also an easy weekend DIY project.) Get creative with the storage, such as choosing a desk that comes with lower and/or upper cabinets. You’d be surprised what you can accomplish in a small space!