Studies show some work better at home, both right now it’s not like we have a choice! Teleworkers, entrepreneurs, freelancers, how to best fit out and organize a workspace when it comes to home-working? How to arrange it, decorate it? Setting up an office at home is not always easy, when you do not have a specific room. Yet with a little wit, organization and lots of good ideas, the home workspace becomes a snap. In this article, I offer you no less than 35 tips for furnishing and decorating your office.
1. Turn a room into an office
This is the perfect configuration because it is more comfortable to have a dedicated space in the house! This will allow you to be calm and sheltered from noise. Clearly delimiting the work space from private life gives the feeling of going “to the office” and thus allows better concentration. To set up your office , first choose the piece of furniture that will be the centerpiece. Installed in the middle of the room, against a wall, design or classic , you will be spoiled for choice. Afterwards, don’t forget the surrounding amenities. Everything you use regularly should be easily accessiblefrom your desktop. Sit at your desk and make a circle the length of your arm to determine its perimeter. Next, don’t forget to choose a very comfortable office chair. When it comes to storage, think about shelves, cupboards, drawers and boxes to store everything you don’t need every day.
2. In a bedroom or in a living room
The majority of apartments in cities lack space and often do not have an extra room. It is therefore important to separate the living space from the work area. With a few tips and a little imagination, it is possible to set up a work area in your bedroom or living room . Delineate the workspace by painting a wall or hanging wallpaper and adding a rug to the floor. Consider installing a bookcase , movable partitions, a curtain or a room divider to hide the space after the day’s work is over. It is essential that this place be dedicated only to work to leave your computer there, your files at the end of your day to decompress like a real employee.
3. In a hallway
Often little or poorly used, consider converting part of the hallway into an office area . It is important to play with the longitude of the place. For this, you will have to choose furniture suited to the narrow space, such as thin shelves that you will install high up or a long desk , not very wide, so as not to obstruct the passage. Absolutely banish overly bulky furniture. For the seat, opt for a stool or an office chair.
4. Under a staircase, a corner, a cupboard, a niche
Your interior is full of unsuspected places so do not hesitate to take advantage of them . You can install a small retractable desk there which is very practical for everyday use.
5. On a mezzanine
If you have a high ceiling, the mezzanine will be your ally. To be able to install an office area, allowing you to be isolated in height, while being at the heart of what is happening at home.
6. A small desk to slip into a corner
A corner desk that can slide almost anywhere to easily set up a workspace in a living room or an entrance. The good idea: a mini format that takes up a minimum of space, and a clever design, with tablet, which offers a work surface and a storage surface.
7. An office in an alcove
Nestled in an alcove, this small office area has it all. Ideal for occupying a space often lost or poorly invested, it also offers a quiet place to work, without encroaching on the living room.
8. An office area in the living room
Installed along the wall, this wooden desk fits perfectly into the living room. As pretty as it is practical, it has a beautiful work surface and large drawers for storage.
9. A small office that is quickly forgotten
A smart, ultra-compact piece of furniture that allows you to set up a workspace only when you need it. Once the tablet is folded up, its extra flat format is very discreet, for a minimal footprint in the room.
10. A desk nestled in a recess
Often converted into a library, why not transform this space into an office? A smart way to occupy this often difficult to invest volume and to create a comfortable place to work, which does not take up too much space in the room.
11. An office area in the entrance
We often just pass by. However, the entrance offers a space that can be invested in a clever way, to create a small office area when there is a lack of space at home. We opt for a well-appointed model, with drawers, and we take care to provide adequate lighting if the room does not have a sufficient source of natural light.
12. An office under the roof
Located in the attic, this office benefits from a quiet environment for working. It shares the space with a dressing room, and benefits from a beautiful entry of natural light thanks to the glass roof.
13. An office installed on a landing
At the top of the stairs or between two floors, we often forget the landing. It’s a shame, because it can be converted into an office area when there is a lack of space in the house. In order not to clutter up this small area, we go straight to the point: a work table slipped against the wall and a comfortable armchair are enough to create a dedicated place.
14. An office under the stairs
Discreetly housed under the stairs, this office has it all. A generous top to work comfortably, but a slender profile so as not to clutter up the space. A good idea when you don’t have the space to set up a dedicated room and the square meters are counted.
15. An office installed in the attic
Investing the space under the eaves makes it possible to use precious square meters, and thus optimize every nook and cranny. Do-it-yourselfers at heart will be able to set up a tailor-made room. A few boards are enough to install a desk and storage boxes.
16. An office area in the bedroom
This quiet room is ideal for setting up a workspace. Even in a small bedroom, it is still possible to install a desk. We choose a pretty model, in wood for example, to take advantage of its warmth, which can also be used as a dressing table in the morning.
17. An office area in the living room
Installed on a wall, this workspace offers all the necessary comfort without encroaching on the living room. Arranged on the same principle as the shelves, this desk, while long but not too wide, benefits from a generous surface area without obstructing passage.
18. A small office area under the window
Arranged under a window, this small auxiliary office does not take up space and benefits from a beautiful light. Made with cut and articulated wooden planks, to make a box that opens and closes as needed, it is as discreet as it is practical.
19. A small desk slid behind a sofa
Leaning against the sofa, this sleek aesthetic desk is ideally placed. Out of the way, and in an empty space, he finally finds himself in the middle of the room, both at the heart of everyday life, while being behind the living room space.
20. An office backing onto the living room corridor
This beautiful unfinished wood office leans against the partition that separates the entrance from the living room. A clever way to optimize this often lost space. The office, even if it is not partitioned, is thus separated from the living space in a certain form of privacy.
21. A small desk in the corner of the window
Well lit, the corner of the window can easily be transformed into an extra workspace. A small desk to take notes or put down your computer, a comfortable chair, a piece of furniture to store what shouldn’t be lying around. It does not take more to be properly installed.
22. A desk hidden near the TV cabinet
The office is almost hidden under the large white TV cabinet which occupies an entire wall. It is wedged under the tall cupboards, and seems to be part of the layout of this space. Very discreet, it nevertheless remains spacious.
23. Office or dressing table?
Dressing table in the morning or office in the evening, why choose? This clever piece of furniture can fit anywhere in the house and transform as you wish. The dressing table rises and leaves room for storage spaces and a mirror, while on the other side a drawer is used to store a laptop or documents.
24. An office that sees double
Placed against a wall, this office remains discreet but can see its surface increase. By lifting the top part, the desk can double its surface, ideal for working with others or if you have a lot of material to put on it.
25. A back-up office
In the category of small discreet offices, it is difficult to do better. Simply attached to a section of wall, this very modest-sized piece of furniture fits into small spaces, and can, once unfolded, become an elegant occasional desk.
26. A desk in the guest room
Guest room or office, in the extra room? A dilemma to which this development cuts short. Just install a bed or a convertible sofa, and slide a very simple desk to its side.
27. What if you set up your office in the kitchen?
We don’t think of making a practical desk in the kitchen. However, if space allows it, it would be a shame to do without! Slightly out of the way or protected by a piece of furniture, you probably have a place to create a little corner of your own . A wall shelf is enough to put your computer down to work.
28. Garage transformed into a home office
For many of us, garage rhymes with a tote, even the car does not fit there! Too bad to lose so much space, while the arrangement of an office in the garage is interesting. After a bit of cleaning, you can add large storage units and some light fixtures. Set up a large desk, you can even join several, for an ultra-practical work island.
29. Organize an office in the middle of the dressing room
Are you looking for a quiet space to work? The walk-in closet is undoubtedly the place for you, no one would dream of being there, and yet … The wardrobe modules already have shelves and shelves, everything you need for the installation of a desk. It’s a safe bet that the dresses and shirts will be ready to tighten up a bit to make room for you, so don’t hesitate any longer. Here is an unusual but pleasant and discreet workspace !
30. The library to set up a studious office
The library is a naturally favorable place for intellectual activities. This is the perfect opportunity, to integrate your office, to be able to fully use the place. All your media at your fingertips, in comfort and serenity. Creating an office space in the library is obvious, if you have the space and the possibility, do not hesitate, even if it means moving the armchair or the sofa!
31. The office invites itself into the laundry room
Working from home often means juggling work and private life. What if you chose to really tie the two together, setting up your desk in the laundry room ? A large desk, judiciously positioned, will serve you as much to fold the laundry as to write your reports! The place is smart, its organization should allow you to optimize your time, naturally playing on versatility.
32. An office installed in the garden, thanks to the veranda
When you are lucky enough to have a veranda, setting up your office is obvious! Enjoy exceptional light and a pleasant view of the garden . The veranda is a warm and soothing space, conducive to serenity and work. The only downside may concern the importance of reflections on the screens. Everything then lies in the position of the furniture and the addition of curtains, which may be necessary.
33. Hide you desk in the closet
You are struggling to fit out an office space, yet you are lucky to have large built-in cupboards … In my head it’s just one round, so work in the closet, literally! A little sorting in the business, and you will soon be able to put down your computer and your files, in place of that pile of laundry. Adjust the height of the shelf if necessary, stick one or two led lights, use boxes to organize everything … And presto, here is an easy and quick office layout!
34. Arrange a desk in the long room
Depending on its location, the office layout can be done over the length to the detriment of the depth. Here it is more a question of organization, your material extends over the entire work surface. Your best ally will undoubtedly be the office chair with wheels . To move easily and quickly from side to side, without interrupting your activity.
35. Save space with a sub-mezzanine office
Installing a desk under a loft bed is a very practical solution. If the dimensions of the room allow it, and sleeping high up doesn’t scare you, then go ahead! You will benefit from an office area without wasting more floor space. The structure of the bed envelops you in a cocoon, do not hesitate to dress it with curtains for even more tranquility.
