Decorating & Design
12 Found Spaces, Perfect For Working At Home
Author: Wendy Jacob
Published on May 22, 2024
Workspaces have evolved into any place where you can pop open a laptop. But sometimes a dedicated space is a better way to stay more organized and intentional about your tasks. Scroll through to see how designers and homeowners got creative and carved out workspaces with small surfaces in kitchens, bedrooms, hallways — even a former powder room.
A Kitchen Niche
In this reno, an awkward sink area became a small workspace with shelves above. The dark blue pencil drawer matches the kitchen drawers next door.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Designer: Sophie Burke
Room With A View
A small writing desk can sit nicely in front of a floor-to-ceiling window in any room, so long as it’s kept bare and clutter free.
Photographer: Virginia MacDonald
Designer: Katherine Newman
A Shelf For A Cook
The kitchen of cookbook author and chef Trish Magwood is her laboratory, so her kitchen reno included a compact work space that feels airy and light-filled.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Designer: Veronica Martin, Two Fold Interiors
Repurpose A Hallway
A nook in the hallway of Drake General Store co-founder Carlo Colacci’s eclectic home is just big enough for a desktop computer with storage above. The stool provides a graphic punch.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Designer: Aránzazu González Bernardo & Michael Fohring, Odami
Try A Pull Out
A tucked-away mahogany top with brass legs pulls out to serve as the home office in this kitchen when required. It tucks away when not in use.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Designer: Karen Cole
Bridge A Gap
This clever angled desk bridges a bookshelf and kitchen counter. It doubles as a desk or a place to perch for a quick bite.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Designer: Gillian Green
Use Floating Shelves
In this bedroom alcove, a desk sits under wall mounted floating shelves designed for display.
Photographer: Tracey Ayton
Simple Storage Solutions
In this home office, bare wood shelves hold books while a small set of 5 drawers offers storage.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Designer: Leigh Gravenor, Architecture by Ginger Sorbara
Use Closed Storage
Custom flat-cut white oak cabinets surround a glass desk top and small file cabinet.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Designer: Katherine Newman
Layer In Antiques
In this bedroom, a vintage writing desk and leather desk chair is tucked into a corner just big enough to hold a desk top computer.
Photographer: Mark Burstyn
Designer: Tim Tanz
Create A Wall Of Wide Shelves And A Working Desk
Studio 1NINE1 designed this home office with wood built-ins, shelves and a pedestal of drawers.
Photographer: Valerie Wilcox
Designer: Emilia Wisniewski
Use Awkward Angles
This tricky space under the stairs used to be a petite powder room. “You couldn’t even stand up in there with the awkward ceiling height,” says designer Kris Hageland, who maximized storage and style with built-ins and a Scandi-style chair.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Designer: Kyla Bidgood & Kris Hageland, Bidgood