Buzz
The world has evolved quickly in recent years, but change remains the only constant in life. Another unchanging truth is that your small living area won’t miraculously expand just because it now doubles as your office, bedroom, gym, entertainment hub, and relaxation zone. The casual assumption that everyone has ample space to accommodate every aspect of life—now even extending to “hospital at home” initiatives—can be overwhelming.
However, for many, remote work (or a hybrid model) is now a permanent reality. If you’ve been working from your kitchen counter or balancing your laptop on your knees while perched on the toilet, it’s time to find a way to squeeze a dedicated office area into your home. This might be manageable if you have some extra space—like a spare bedroom, a so-called “den” that Realtors love to promote, or even an architectural oddity that creates a small nook—but what if you’re in a tiny apartment that’s already bursting at the seams?
You’ll need to think outside the box. Establishing a designated workspace is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance—there’s something empowering about being able to physically leave work behind, which makes creating a space solely for your job a smart move. Here are some strategies to carve out that office space, even when you’re dealing with severely limited room.
A closet office
If your compact home includes even a single closet, you have the foundation for an office—or a “cloffice,” if you insist (though we advise against it). Even a narrow, pre-war closet meant for a minimal wardrobe can transform into a functional workspace—just add a desk surface (a shelf works fine), some storage, a chair, and strategic lighting. For larger, walk-in closets, you can dedicate part of it to an office while reserving the rest for clothing. However, if you only have one closet, this raises the question of where to store your clothes, making this solution best for those who aren’t bothered by such dilemmas (and who might consider using their oven for sweater storage).
A floating desk
Creating an office space doesn’t necessarily require walls. If you have an empty wall section in your home, consider installing a “floating desk.” Some models fold up, allowing you to reclaim floor space when not in use. Enhance the area with a rug or wall decor to clearly mark it as your workspace, and repurpose a chair from another room to minimize clutter and costs.
Utilize the space under the stairs
If your home has multiple levels, chances are there’s unused space beneath your stairs. Stairs are often enclosed for visual appeal, but removing the drywall can reveal this hidden area. While it may be an oddly shaped, tight space with a slanted ceiling, it’s perfect for an office. This project might require some DIY skills and a bit of investment to refinish the area, but the payoff is additional functional space, which is always a win.
Loft your bed
Still sleeping at ground level like everyone else? You’re overlooking an ideal spot for a home office. Replace your current bed with a loft bed, and you’ll gain roughly 30 square feet of workspace. Many loft beds come with integrated desks and storage, offering a ready-made solution that only requires some assembly effort. Just ensure you’re comfortable with heights before making the switch.
A corner desk
Perhaps you’re overcomplicating things. Corners often seem unusable because each wall appears too small, but a corner desk can change that. If you have an empty corner in your home, installing a compact corner desk can quickly transform it into a dedicated workspace.
Use a column
If there’s a column or dividing wall in your room, consider a slim, ladder-style leaning desk. These desks can be less than two feet wide, perfect for narrow, underutilized spaces. Pair it with vertical storage above, and you’ve created a compact office in an unexpected spot.
Use a nightstand
When space is extremely limited, look to your bedroom. If you have a nightstand beside your bed, it can double as an office. Replace it with a floating version that includes a pull-out tray or shelf, allowing you to pull up a chair and work. If a pull-out option isn’t available, simply place a shelf or piece of wood over the drawer to create a makeshift desk.
Your bathroom
Hear me out—this might sound unconventional, but if you’re truly out of space for a home office, there’s one option you might not have considered. Even the smallest studio apartment likely has a bathroom, which is, technically, a room, making it a potential home office candidate. If you’re already working from your laptop on the toilet, why not go all in? Adding a foldable desk above the toilet could be the solution, allowing the bathroom to still serve its primary function. The main challenges would be maintaining cleanliness and dealing with humidity, which might not be ideal for your electronics. However, a strong exhaust fan, leaving the door open, or packing up your workspace nightly (as you would in a traditional office) could mitigate these issues.
