No Room For A Desk? Make Space With These Clever Ideas

If you want to carve out a designated work area that’s not your kitchen table, take your cues from these compact workspaces.
From built-in office nooks to stylish freestanding desk areas, these multitasking rooms will inspire you to reclaim space in your kitchen, living room and beyond. Scroll down!
An unused nook in fashion stylist Erica Wark’s bedroom was turned into a multipurpose workspace that doubles as a vanity and home office.
- Photographer Patrick Biller
- Designer Tom Design Studio
House & Home
If you’re renovating your kitchen, consider building out a desk area that matches the rest of the space. It’ll become your new favorite spot for answering emails in a pinch or flipping through cookbooks.
- Photographer Kim Jeffery
- Designer Barbara Wigmore
House & Home
Decorator Tim Lam’s multifunctional living room features a full-size sofa, small desk, and a chaise lounge for reading. To create a cohesive look, he matched the pattern on the upholstered desk chair with a sofa cushion.
- Photographer Stephani Buchman
- Designer Tim Lam
House & Home
This mid-century-inspired kitchen is full of surprises, including a petite desk area hidden behind millwork. Another door disguised as a cabinet leads to a hidden butler’s pantry.
- Photographer Alex Lukey
- Designer Izen Architecture
House & Home
A full-length window didn’t stop Andi Wheelband of Two Birds Design from designing a clever work station in her client’s renovated kitchen. By extending the countertops and adding a stool, the homeowners now have a handy spot to answer emails or soak up the morning sun with a cup of coffee.
- Photographer Lauren Miller
- Designer Two Birds Design
House & Home
Adjacent to the custom dining banquette in this Vancouver loft is a dedicated office nook defined by articulated task lighting and an open shelf.
- Photographer Lauren D. Zbarsky
- Designer Kate Snyder & Jessica MacDonald
House & Home