White walls brighten up a lower level.

Designer and homeowner Barbara Purdy maximized space in her basement by arranging furniture into distinct zones. A small desk adds a quiet work area without taking up too much floor space. A mix of sofas and chairs provides plenty of seating for movie nights.

Watch an Online TV tour of this basement, plus see more Double-Duty Offices.

Matching patterns create continuity.

To freshen up an office nook in a living room, add an upholstered corkboard behind the desk in the same fabric as throw cushions to ease flow from one area to the next.

For more design and decorating ideas, browse our Quick Home Makeover Tips photo gallery, plus read an interview with this homeowner here.

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A piece of art anchors an office area in a living room.

Homeowners Lindsi Mandelbaum and Lorne Rose delineated a bright space near the patio doors for a small desk. A large contemporary painting above the desk makes the office area feel grounded. The living room in their narrow single-storey townhouse isn’t large, but white walls and a clear coffee table make it appear more spacious.

See more Double-Duty Offices in our photo gallery.

An oversized table serves as a desk, too.

In designer Mazen El-Abdallah’s narrow townhouse, a large walnut table bolted to the wall acts like a built-in and works overtime as both desk and dinner table. A Serge Mouille light doubles as sculpture.

See more Double-Duty Offices in our photo gallery, plus see video tours of El-Abdallah’s main floor and second floor.

A multitasking kitchen side table is the perfect spot for a laptop.

A corner of the kitchen has been set aside as a work space: this grey tin side table makes a stylish desk and ties in to the dark grey linen fabric on the island chairs.

A small nook in an entryway is enough space for a small desk.

“Built-ins are great, but sometimes it’s fun just to throw it all together and see what happens,” says designer Wendy Williams Watt. In The Real Housewives of Vancouver star Mary Zilba’s weekend home, temporary installations give her room to move and create. By leaving space for freestanding pieces like this desk, the focus can be on one beautiful lamp or vase.

See more Pets & Interiors in our photo gallery, plus see more Double-Duty Offices.

Multiuse furniture allows for a work space, lounge area and guest beds.

An old apothecary cabinet in designer Karen Cole’s guest bedroom opens up in several ways, including a drop-leaf desk. Antique twin beds loaded up with brightly patterned throw pillows offer an inviting spot to curl up and read, but can be made up as guest beds within minutes. Bold art and antique rugs contribute to a space that’s as cosy and useful for Karen as it is for her guests.

Watch a video tour of Karen’s house, plus see more Gorgeous Guest Rooms and Double-Duty Offices.

Smart furniture placement at a cottage leaves room for a desk.

Custom-made beds in this former schoolhouse-turned-cottage work as seating by day and as a sleeping area for guests at night. The worn desk and chair continue the schoolhouse theme.

Ever-so-common in the city, small dens can be used for home offices and guests.

Striped wallpaper helps move the eye up and across the ceiling, making this tiny den appear larger. The thrift store lamp base (with a Jonathan Adler flavour) looks like a million bucks thanks to a coat of white spray paint.

See more Double-Duty Offices in our photo gallery, plus more photos and an Online TV tour of this home.

No den? No problem. A small desk in a bedroom can work overtime for accessories and a laptop.

The neutral scheme found throughout designer Christine Ralphs‘ home continues in the principal bedroom, accented with bold hits of black. A small mirrored desk reflects light below the window.

See more Interiors By Lloyd Ralphs Design and Double-Duty Offices.

A desk positioned in front of windows creates a bright space to work from home.

Apply colour directly to the walls with paint or wallpaper. Or leave the backdrop neutral and play up juicy-toned accessories like pillows and drapes, like designer Sabrina Linn did here in her cheery bedroom. Either way, a carefully chosen palette can change the look of a room like nothing else.

How To
First decide what your room needs. More light? More warmth? If you choose to paint, plan to do the whole area instead of colour-blocking just one wall. For less of a commitment, consider painting or wallpapering large canvasses or wood panels and hanging or leaning them against the wall. Bring in accent colours in finishing touches such as pillows, throws, rugs, curtains and trays.

See more Double-Duty Offices in our photo gallery. Plus, watch an Online TV tour of this loft and browse photo galleries of the interior and patio transformation.

A mostly unused attic can become a quiet home office.

Homeowner and stylist Deb Nelson eked out a work area in the attic’s guest bedroom by tucking a table she made herself below the eaves.

Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Amazing Attics, Double-Duty Offices and Cosy Winter Cabins.

A large attic can accommodate both a guest room and home office.

Tucked into the top floor of the 2009 Princess Margaret showhome, this small room can easily accommodate a guest for a short stay. A low daybed was the right choice for this narrow space. A desk placed near the window is practical for guests who wish to unpack their luggage and can be used by family members as a home office when the room isn’t occupied.

Get more ideas in our Gorgeous Guest Bedrooms photo gallery, plus see more Double-Duty Offices.