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12 Found Spaces, Perfect For Working At Home

By Wendy Jacob On

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