55 inspirational and motivational ideas to create a stylish small home office that keeps you more passionate about work

Small but stylish home office
 

The Spruce / Marty Baldwin

Working at home is increasingly routine for office workers everywhere. But not everyone has a spare room or finished basement to convert into a home office. The good news is that a home office workstation can be anything from a cloffice to a corner of the bedroom or dining room. Even better, working from home means that you can decorate your home workstation any way you like to suit your personality and cater to what makes you feel productive and focused, be it bright wallpaper, a bunch of plants, ambient lighting, or soft and cozy textures that you wouldn’t normally find in an office setting.

  • 01of 55

    L-Shaped

    small home office
     

    Design by Anita Yokota

    This cozy L-shaped home office from Anita Yokota has a long, narrow worktop that offers plenty of room to spread out, a cozy and casual daybed, built-in wall shelves for storage and display, and plenty of windows that flood the space with natural light.

     
  • 02of 55

    Seamless

    small home office
     

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

    This petite home office from Caroline Andréoni Interior Design Studio in Paris is seamlessly built into a wall of custom cabinetry that occupies an entire wall of a 140-square-foot studio apartment in Paris. The secretary-style wall desk folds down when needed, and disappears when not in use.

     
  • 03of 55

    Millennial Pink

    small home office
     

    Design by Martha O’Hara Interiors / Photo by Spacecrafting Photography

    This small but polished home office from Martha O’Hara Interiors has fun girl boss vibes with its white, black, and millennial pink palette and glossy finishes.

     
  • 04of 55

    Under the Eaves

    small home office
     

    Design by Space Factory / Photo by Herve Goluza

    This dreamy little home office by Space Factory is the stuff that home office fantasies are made of, tucked under the eaves of an old French building, lit by two roof light windows, with a small desk and a mid-century armchair and different flooring to differentiate it from the adjacent bedroom.

     
  • 05of 55

    Bubble Light

    small home office
     

    Fantastic Frank

    Good lighting is one of the keys to making your small home office comfortable. Even if your home workspace is flooded with natural light, be sure to incorporate more than just a task light. This will allow you to change the mood or adjust for different times of day and changes in the weather. This home office from Fantastic Frank is wedged into a corner of the irregularly shaped room, with a small glass and metal desk that allows light to pass through. Open shelving located well above the desk adds storage without making the workspace feel cramped. A playful transparent glass bubble pendant light that catches the light and adds another layer of lighting helps to define the space and add a lighthearted note.

     
  • 06of 55

    Cloffice

    small home office
     

    Ursula Carmona for Home Made By Carmona

    Ursula Carmona for Home Made By Carmona turned a closet off her living room into a functional home office. The small but functional space has a built-in desk and storage painted in matte blue, shelves styled with knicknacks, and a modern pendant light that gives the tiny space some dimension.

     
  • 07of 55

    Wall Mounted Desk

    small home office
     

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Christy Q. Photo

    This streamlined home workstation from Cathie Hong Interiors consists of a tall wall-mounted wood and metal desk tucked into the corner, styled with books, photos, and objects, and finished off with an upholstered salmon pink desk chair to add softness.

     The 11 Best Office Chairs of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
     
  • 08of 55

    Repurpose the Vanity

    small home office
     

    Design by 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, one solution is to turn an underused bedroom vanity into a workstation. In this alcove designed by Sara Tramp for Emily Henderson Design, Fornasetti cloud wallpaper elevates the small space, and a wall-mounted sconce makes it functional while freeing up desk space.

     
  • 09of 55

    Vintage Minimalist

    small home office
     

    Fantastic Frank

    One way to create a minimalist workspace that looks good and feels inviting is to focus on choosing key pieces with bona fide design cred. This home office bedroom combo from Fantastic Frank has a vintage-style wood desk, a midcentury desk chair designed by Verner Panton as well as a USB-powered reedition of his classic 1969 Flowerpot lamp. Bare walls and a palette of soft whites keeps distraction at bay.

     
  • 10of 55

    Split Level

    small home office
     

    Design by Space Factory / Photo by Hervé Goluza

    This split-level Parisian home office from Space Factory has a lower level with a narrow U-shaped work surface and a white pegboard on the wall 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.

     
  • 11of 55

    Short Commute

    small home office
     

    Design by Alvin Wayne

    This NYC apartment home office from interior designer Alvin Wayne 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.

     
  • 12of 55

    Back Door

    small home office
     

    Design by Calimia Home / Photo by Karla Garcia

    A quiet out-of-the-way space by the back door of this Miami carriage house bungalow is the perfect spot for a home office. Calimia Home outfitted the light and bright space with a simple desk and chair in shades of white so that the workspace practically disappears into the background when not in use.

     
  • 13of 55

    Boho Style

    small home office
     

    Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

    Plant lovers who might get a little lonesome working at home should consider inviting an oversized plant to keep them company. In this small boho style home office from Emily Henderson Design, a large cactus has presence without overwhelming, and is quieter than your coworkers back at the office.

     
  • 14of 55

    Old World

    small home office
     

    Design by Ashley Montgomery Design

    There’s nothing office-y about this small home office from Ashley Montgomery Design, with its soft pastel shades, wall of floral illustrations, and antique, classical style furniture and decor with old world flare.

     
  • 15of 55

    Minimalist

    small home office
     

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Amber Thrane

    This compact home office from Cathie Hong Interiors 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.

     
  • 16of 55

    Ceiling Wallpaper

    small home office
     

    Design by Maestri Studio / Photo by Jenifer McNeil Baker

    This little home office nook from Maestri Studio has a built-in desk, layered lighting, framed art, and wallpaper on the ceiling to make it feel tailored and integrated into the rest of the home.

     
  • 17of 55

    Make It Personal

    small home office
     

    Lobster and Swan

    This home office from Lobster and Swan has a simple vintage desk and chair, an Anglepoise desk lamp, and a white painted frame mood board that can be personalized and changed to inspire you and keep you motivated, without having to pass the safe-for-work test.

     
  • 18of 55

    Shades of Beige

    small modern office
     

    Design by Becca Interiors

    Not everyone loves having a workstation in the bedroom. But the home office set-up in this spacious bedroom from Becca Interiors is designed to fit into the surroundings, in the same warm wood and beige tones as the rest of the room.

     
  • 19of 55

    Wallpaper Accent

    small home office
     

    Design by Neva Interior Design / Photo by Agathe Tissier

    This built-in home office work station from Neva Interior Design has plenty of closed storage as well as floating shelves for display. A wallpaper accent defines the space and makes it feel like it’s dressed for work.

     
  • 20of 55

    Colorful

    small home office
     

    Design by Sarah and Sons Interiors / Photo by Sarah Szwajkos

    This home office from Sarah and Sons Interiors has salmon pink walls, bold color accents, and a traditional wood desk facing one of the room’s many windows.

     
  • 21of 55

    Home Library

    small home office
     

    Design by JL Design / Photo by Leslee Mitchel

    This small home office from JL Design is just big enough to house a comfortable desk and a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf complete with a ladder that functions like a mini home library. A white Jielde industrial desk lamp adds a fun vintage note that contrasts with all the rustic dark wood, and a sliding barn door provides privacy when needed (though keep in mind for noise purposes that a sliding barn door is less effective at keeping noise out than a door that closes firmly).

     
  • 22of 55

    Transparent

    small home office
     

    Design by Yael Weiss Interiors

    You can help make a small home office feel bigger (or at least lighter and airier) by using transparent furniture like a lucite desk or clear polycarbonate armchair. In this home office from Yael Weiss Interiors, the lucite desk reflects natural light from a nearby window, and a cowhide rug provides contrast and warmth.

     
  • 23of 55

    Knicknacks

    small home office
     

    Design by Anita Yokota

    In the same way that the office workers of the world might decorate their cubicles with reminders of the outside world or the comforts of home, your home office should be a place where you can feel free to surround yourself with personal knicknacks, souvenirs, or anything else that inspires you, like this small home office from interior Anita Yokota that is packed with touchstones and inspiration.

     The 16 Best Stylish Office Decor Pieces of 2023
     
  • 24of 55

    Keep It Light

    small home office
     

    Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

    Some people like to plaster their home office walls with inspirational words and catchphrases. But you can also send yourself a visual cue that work should be fun using bold wallpaper. Playful check plaid wallpaper in neutral tones by Emily Henderson Design gives this workspace a lighthearted feel designed to boost your spirits during long days at the home office.

     
  • 25of 55

    Sleek

    small home office
     

    Design by Jules Interiors

    This sleek and petite home office work station from Jules Interiors has a pink and white palette, mixed metals, a vintage-style lamp, an oversized photograph that’s almost as wide as the desk, and a cushy upholstered chair.

     
  • 26of 55

    Take a Meeting

    small home office
     

    Design by Eggshell Home / Photo by Laura Flippen

    This home office from interior designer Rosanna Bassford of Eggshell Home has rich shades of gray on the walls and cognac leather upholstered seating that add warmth and comfort, with a setup that’s fit for taking meetings with the occasional client or anyone who wants to take a meeting with the boss of the house.

     
  • 27of 55

    See Through

    small home office
     

    Design by AHG Interiors / Photo by Nick Glimenakis

    Such is the nature of our 24/7 work culture that even country houses are often equipped with a place to put in a few hours work on a Sunday afternoon. The home workspace in this 1960s A-frame home in the Catskills of New York from AHG Interiors is perched on the mezzanine bedroom overlooking the main floor. The stealth home office nearly disappears thanks to a lucite waterfall desk and transparent Louis Ghost chair made from clear polycarbonate.

     
  • 28of 55

    Corner Table

    small home office
     

    Design by Neva Interior Design / Photo by Agathe Tissier

    While some people are tempted to use the dining room table as a de facto home office, if you’ve got the space, consider keeping the dining table clear and tucking your desk in a corner of the dining room instead, like this French apartment from Neva Interior Design.

     
  • 29of 55

    Modern

    small home office
     

    Design by Neva Interior Design / Photo by Agathe Tissier

    A vintage desk with rounded edges perfectly fits the corner space of this home office Neva Interior Design, which feels like its own distinct space thanks to a large vibrant painting over the workspace that gives it pride of place.

     
  • 30of 55

    Stick the Landing

    small home office
     

    Design by JL Design / Photo by Leslee Mitchel

    This home office from JL Design is located on the landing in front of a window with a wide-open view that keeps the small space from feeling too confined. A fluffy rug, a vase of flowers, and a cactus sitting on the floor add comfort and coziness.

     
  • 31of 55

    Contemporary

    small home office
     

    Design by Eggshell Home / Photo by Helynn Ospina

    This small home office from interior designer Rosanna Bassford of Eggshell Home has a black-and-white palette, contemporary furnishings with clean lines, and an assortment of framed photos and prints on the walls for a personal touch.

     
  • 32of 55

    Boho Style

    small home office
     

    Casa Watkins Living

    Stephanie from Casa Watkins Living converted an empty bedroom into a modern boho style inspired home office with tropical wallpaper, a red shag Moroccan-inspired rug, and plenty of built-in and display storage.

     
  • 33of 55

    Room With a View

    small home office
     

    Design by Jenn Pablo Studio

    Free up floor space in a small home office by installing a narrow built-in workspace beneath the windows, like this home office from Jenn Pablo Studio with a stunning picture window that brings the outdoors in.

     
  • 34of 55

    Feminine

    small home office
     

    Design by Jessica Langrange Interiors / Photo by James Yochum

    This home office from Jessica Langrange Interiors has soft, feminine touches like floral wallpaper, a glittery sequined pillow on the wingback office chair, and a desk with decorative curves. Vases of flowers, framed photos, and sentimental objects make it feel personal and tailored.

     
  • 35of 55

    Gallery Wall

    small home office
     

    Design by Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop / Photo by Chad Mellon

    This small home office space from Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop has a simple modern desk, chair, and vintage-inspired lamp, and a wraparound gallery wall of graphic prints and a mirror that make it feel seamlessly integrated into the rest of the home’s design.

     
  • 36of 55

    Go Vertical

    small home office
     

    Design by Anita Yokota

    This small L-shaped home office workspace from Anita Yokota takes advantage of vertical space with a row of upper cabinets that provide open and closed storage, with under-cabinet lighting to help illuminate the space. The interior designer installed a Velux light tunnel in the ceiling to bring in some natural light to the windowless space.

     
  • 37of 55

    Muted

    small home office
     

    Design by Leclair Decor

    This light-flooded minimal home office from Leclair Decor is located in the front of the home, far from the kids’ main play area to help with noise control. Modern millwork along the side wall has a spacious built-in work surface, while closed storage keeps office supplies and files at bay. Muted tones on the walls and built-ins and an overwashed rug in soft colors adds softness and creates a calming mood.

     
  • 38of 55

    Line Up

    small home office
     

    Design by AHG Interiors / Photo by Nick Glimenakis

    This 1960’s A-frame home in the Catskills from AHG Interiors has a home office workstation built for two, with matching everything, and a plant in the middle to visually divide the space.

     
  • 39of 55

    Treehouse

    small home office
     

    Design by Maestri Studio / Photo by Jenifer McNeil Baker

    Mezzanine home offices will provide a sense of separation between work and home and can be a great space-saving solution. But if you are sensitive to noise or live with other people who are home during the day, keep in mind that they can also feel like an echo chamber that amplifies the slightest sound. This mezzanine home office from Maestri Studio has a treehouse feel thanks to the window framing and view of the treetops. The desk faces the wall to prevent distractions, and an armchair and matching ottoman is angled with its back to the lower level to mitigate the fishbowl effect.

     
  • 40of 55

    Hybrid

    small home office
     

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

    This guest room home office from Leanne Ford Interiors splits the room into zones thanks to a comfortable bed tucked on one side beneath the slanted ceiling that can be hidden by a simple white curtain that runs the width of the wall. The office portion of the room has black matte painted walls to define it, with two industrial style pendant lights hung over a communal work table so that family members can work together if desired.

     
  • 41of 55

    Black Metal

    small home office
     

    Design by Space Factory / Photo by Hervé Goluza

    This home workstation from Space Factory is tucked in a small alcove beneath a graphic metal staircase landing. A simple desk with metal legs that echo the staircase design and a black painted chair make it feel more built-in, while custom built-in storage beneath the stairs keeps files and clutter out of sight when not in use. Turning this kind of pass through space into a workstation is best suited for quiet parts of the home, or those who live alone or have the house to themselves during office hours.

     
  • 42of 55

    Walk In

    small home office
     

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Erin Kelly

    This petite home office from Leanne Ford Interiors has an effortless hideaway feel, with vintage furniture and an oversized freeform bulletin board wall that keeps inspiration at hand.

     
  • 43of 55

    Create an Illusion

    small home office
     

    Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer

    This small home office space from Marie Flanigan Interiors looks twice its size thanks to a view-doubling floor mirror leaned up against the back wall.

     
  • 44of 55

    Bachelor

    small home office
     

    Design by Mid City Interiors

    The home office work space in this Dallas bachelor pad studio from Mid City Interiors blends seamlessly with the rest of the room’s classic palette of navy and dark brown. A framed print and a tall gold lamp add contrast and help the desk corner to feel integrated into the rest of the room.

     
  • 45of 55

    Shabby Chic

    small home office
     

    Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer

    This light and airy home office space from Marie Flanigan Interiors has tall ceilings, hardwood floors, and a little house-shaped window that is complemented by French country style wood desk, brass desk lamp and upholstered armchair give the space a comfy, shabby chic vibe.

     The 11 Best Home Office Desks
     
  • 46of 55

    Alcove

    small home office
     

    Design by Jessica Lagrange Interiors / Photo by Kelly Allison

    This spacious alcove has been turned into a small home office by Jessica Lagrange Interiors thanks to a wall of bookshelves and a peninsula desk that allows for easy access and exit, and allows a view of the rest of the room. A vintage-style bar cart is located just around the corner for after-work drinks.

     
  • 47of 55

    Built-In Shelving

    small home office
     

    Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer

    This under-stair alcove home office from Marie Flanigan Interiors has built-in open shelves on the left side that keep the above-desk area free for a wall sconce and a painting while providing easy access storage.

     
  • 48of 55

    Textiles

    small home office
     

    Design by Jessica Langrange Interiors / Photo by Werner Straube

    A Moroccan wedding blanket hung above the desk in this small home office from Jessica Langrange Interiors adds a layer of texture on top of the textured wallpaper, while the sequins in the blanket catch the light. Hanging a textile above your desk instead of a framed piece of art adds softness and helps to slightly dampen noise and echoes.

     
  • 49of 55

    Compact

    small home office
     

    Design and Photo by 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 designed by Keyanna Brown for Emily Henderson Design has clean modern white furniture and natural accents like a leather desk chair, natural woven basket storage, and a large fluffy sheepskin rug.

     
  • 50of 55

    Horizontal Stripes

    small home office
     

    Design by Karen B Wolf Interiors / Photo by Raquel Langworthy

    Painting the wall with horizontal stripes will make a room feel wider, like this home office from Karen B Wolf Interiors.

     
  • 51of 55

    Multicolor

    small home office
     

    Design by Maestri Studio / Photo by Jenifer McNeil Baker

    You can give a bland all-white space a big dose of personality with a few bold decor choices. This small home workstation from Maestri Studio has practical built-in storage, and a warm decorative wall sconce, colorful jungle-inspired wallpaper and a multicolored striped upholstered desk chair that makes a statement.

     
  • 52of 55

    Matte Black

    small home office
     

    Design by Leclair Decor

    If you find it hard to focus when working outside the office, try painting the walls in a soothing, grounding matte black like this home workspace from Leclair Decor.

     
  • 53of 55

    Hang a Mirror

    small home office
     

    Fantastic Frank

    If your desk faces a wall, try hanging a mirror above it so that the bottom is just above your eye level while seated. This will give allow you to look up and catch the view from behind you without having to stare yourself in the face. And it will help catch the light and illuminate a dark corner, like this small home office workstation from Fantastic Frank tucked into the corner of a bedroom.

     
  • 54of 55

    Notting Hill

    small home office
     

    Design by House 9 Interiors

    A pocket-sized Notting Hill home office from London-based House 9 Interiors is painted in a medium-toned shade of bluegreen on walls, ceiling, and corner built-in bookshelves that make use of vertical space.

     
  • 55of 55

    Underground

    modern home office
     

    Design by 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. This small home workspace from Michelle Berwick Design is tucked into a corner of a multipurpose basement renovation that includes a workspace beneath the tiny basement windows, plus a sewing room, laundry room, bathroom, and a second family room. The midcentury modern-inspired design includes light flooring, plenty of storage, and walnut accents that elevate the basement into a warm and functional multipurpose space.