So, you’re in a need of a space to perch yourself to do some work, but your place doesn’t have room for a home office. Don’t worry! There are likely tons of awkward little nooks and crannies where you can set up a useful work station. Here are 14 smart areas where you can set up shop.
Published February 19, 2019, Updated March 28, 2020
Offices
How to Transform That Awkward Nook Into a Useful Home Office
March 27, 2020
So, you’re in a need of a space to perch yourself to do some work, but your place doesn’t have room for a home office. Don’t worry! There are likely tons of awkward little nooks and crannies where you can set up a useful work station. Here are 14 smart areas where you can set up shop. Published February 19, 2019, Updated March 28, 2020
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Under the Stairs
1/15Under the Stairs
1/15Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Many homes have a large enough space under the stairs to fit a small desk and chair. We’re crushin’ on this hybrid desk meets piano, complete with exposed brick and <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/lighting-trends-transform-a-room-1917503/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">awesome lighting</a>.OfficesHow to Transform That Awkward Nook Into a Useful Home OfficeUnder the Stairs
PHOTO 1 of 15READ LESS -Many homes have a large enough space under the stairs to fit a small desk and chair. We’re crushin’ on this hybrid desk meets piano, complete with exposed brick and <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/lighting-trends-transform-a-room-1917503/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">awesome lighting</a>.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Nook
2/15Nook
2/15Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Most homes usually have some sort of small nook or alcove usually reserved for a closet, entranceway table or bench. Move out the coats and make a <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/offices/photos/stylish-small-home-office-ideas-to-copy-1923655/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">stylish small home office</a>.OfficesHow to Transform That Awkward Nook Into a Useful Home OfficeNook
PHOTO 2 of 15READ LESS -Most homes usually have some sort of small nook or alcove usually reserved for a closet, entranceway table or bench. Move out the coats and make a <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/offices/photos/stylish-small-home-office-ideas-to-copy-1923655/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">stylish small home office</a>.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Mudroom
3/15Mudroom
3/15Photo Credit: Janis Nicolay
Speaking of coats, if your home has a <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/cleaning-and-organization/photos/sarah-baeumlers-five-minutes-to-clean-mastering-the-mudroom-1908485/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">mudroom</a>, that’s often a great place to set up a desk and chair. There’s typically plenty of a storage in mudrooms, which will be great for your office.OfficesHow to Transform That Awkward Nook Into a Useful Home OfficeMudroom
PHOTO 3 of 15READ LESS -Speaking of coats, if your home has a <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/cleaning-and-organization/photos/sarah-baeumlers-five-minutes-to-clean-mastering-the-mudroom-1908485/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">mudroom</a>, that’s often a great place to set up a desk and chair. There’s typically plenty of a storage in mudrooms, which will be great for your office.Photo Credit: Janis Nicolay
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Closet
4/15Closet
4/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
Closets are another great area to set up a useful home office. Whether it’s a large walk-in or a tiny space to hang your coat, it can easily be transformed into your ideal work-from-home spot.OfficesHow to Transform That Awkward Nook Into a Useful Home OfficeCloset
PHOTO 4 of 15READ LESS -Closets are another great area to set up a useful home office. Whether it’s a large walk-in or a tiny space to hang your coat, it can easily be transformed into your ideal work-from-home spot.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Foyer
5/15Foyer
5/15Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Do you have a foyer or entranceway? Most foyers have artwork, a coat rack and a table to throw your mail and keys. This space integrates both the foyer and home office essentials into one.OfficesHow to Transform That Awkward Nook Into a Useful Home OfficeFoyer
PHOTO 5 of 15READ LESS -Do you have a foyer or entranceway? Most foyers have artwork, a coat rack and a table to throw your mail and keys. This space integrates both the foyer and home office essentials into one.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Hallway
6/15Hallway
6/15Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
One of the easiest areas to set up a home office is in your hallway, as you likely don’t have to move around furniture or belongings. Just make sure there’s space to walk down the hall still.OfficesHow to Transform That Awkward Nook Into a Useful Home OfficeHallway
PHOTO 6 of 15READ LESS -One of the easiest areas to set up a home office is in your hallway, as you likely don’t have to move around furniture or belongings. Just make sure there’s space to walk down the hall still.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Hidden Desk
7/15Hidden Desk
7/15Photo Credit: hgtv.com
A popular trend in minimalist home office design is the hidden desk, which is a table that usually folds down from the wall or existing cabinets. Just pull up a chair and get to work! It’s that easy.OfficesHow to Transform That Awkward Nook Into a Useful Home OfficeHidden Desk
PHOTO 7 of 15READ LESS -A popular trend in minimalist home office design is the hidden desk, which is a table that usually folds down from the wall or existing cabinets. Just pull up a chair and get to work! It’s that easy.Photo Credit: hgtv.com
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Basement
8/15Basement
8/15Photo Credit: Lauren Kolyn
Is there an area in your basement where you can set up shop? If your basement is a little too dark to foster a creative and innovative work space, here are some <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/basements/photos/the-best-colour-palettes-to-brighten-a-basement-1913251/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">colour palettes to brighten it up</a>. <br><br> See more photos of this <a href="https://www.greatcanadianhomes.ca/photos/chilled-out-california-vibes-inspired-this-shared-toronto-home-1901151/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">chilled-out California-inspired shared home in Toronto</a>.OfficesHow to Transform That Awkward Nook Into a Useful Home OfficeBasement
PHOTO 8 of 15READ LESS -Is there an area in your basement where you can set up shop? If your basement is a little too dark to foster a creative and innovative work space, here are some <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/basements/photos/the-best-colour-palettes-to-brighten-a-basement-1913251/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">colour palettes to brighten it up</a>. <br><br> See more photos of this <a href="https://www.greatcanadianhomes.ca/photos/chilled-out-california-vibes-inspired-this-shared-toronto-home-1901151/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">chilled-out California-inspired shared home in Toronto</a>.Photo Credit: Lauren Kolyn
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Bedroom
9/15Bedroom
9/15Photo Credit: Lauren Kolyn
Although it’s not usually recommended to have an office in your bedroom, if it’s separate from the sleeping area, it can be an excellent option. Just make sure the space has good <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/offices/photos/how-to-get-good-feng-shui-in-your-home-office-1906548/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">feng shui</a>.OfficesHow to Transform That Awkward Nook Into a Useful Home OfficeBedroom
PHOTO 9 of 15READ LESS -Although it’s not usually recommended to have an office in your bedroom, if it’s separate from the sleeping area, it can be an excellent option. Just make sure the space has good <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/offices/photos/how-to-get-good-feng-shui-in-your-home-office-1906548/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">feng shui</a>.Photo Credit: Lauren Kolyn
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Kitchen
10/15Kitchen
10/15Photo Credit: Tracey Ayton
The kitchen is often a great space for a small home office, as there is plenty of excellent storage and counter space already in the room. This is perfect if you cook a lot too: hello, multitasking!OfficesHow to Transform That Awkward Nook Into a Useful Home OfficeKitchen
PHOTO 10 of 15READ LESS -The kitchen is often a great space for a small home office, as there is plenty of excellent storage and counter space already in the room. This is perfect if you cook a lot too: hello, multitasking!Photo Credit: Tracey Ayton
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Laundry Room
11/15Laundry Room
11/15Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Another room with a ton of storage and counter space? Your laundry room. Pull up a chair to where you’d normally fold your clothes and get to work! And you can multitask in this room too. <br><br>See more photos of <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/sarah-off-the-grid/photos/sarah-brings-a-small-space-to-life-with-an-earthy-palette-and-textural-touches-1906494/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Sarah Richardson's off-the-grid family home</a>.OfficesHow to Transform That Awkward Nook Into a Useful Home OfficeLaundry Room
PHOTO 11 of 15READ LESS -Another room with a ton of storage and counter space? Your laundry room. Pull up a chair to where you’d normally fold your clothes and get to work! And you can multitask in this room too. <br><br>See more photos of <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/sarah-off-the-grid/photos/sarah-brings-a-small-space-to-life-with-an-earthy-palette-and-textural-touches-1906494/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Sarah Richardson's off-the-grid family home</a>.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Living Room
12/15Living Room
12/15Photo Credit: Janis Nicolay
What about your living room? Even if there isn’t a nook or corner in your living room that screams “home office,” you could opt for one of those lift-top coffee tables that turns into a desk. <br><br> To see more of the bright and happy home above, check out <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/blog/this-bright-and-happy-home-will-make-you-rethink-the-way-you-decorate-1897712/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">these photos</a>.OfficesHow to Transform That Awkward Nook Into a Useful Home OfficeLiving Room
PHOTO 12 of 15READ LESS -What about your living room? Even if there isn’t a nook or corner in your living room that screams “home office,” you could opt for one of those lift-top coffee tables that turns into a desk. <br><br> To see more of the bright and happy home above, check out <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/blog/this-bright-and-happy-home-will-make-you-rethink-the-way-you-decorate-1897712/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">these photos</a>.Photo Credit: Janis Nicolay
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Garage
13/15Garage
13/15Photo Credit: Lauren Miller
It might not be glamorous (or perhaps it's a reason to renovate!), but maybe there's a little corner in your garage where you can get away from the household madness and get some work done. <br><br> See more photos from this <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/garage-conversion-small-space-living-1915927/#" rel="noopener" target="_blank">chic garage conversion</a>.OfficesHow to Transform That Awkward Nook Into a Useful Home OfficeGarage
PHOTO 13 of 15READ LESS -It might not be glamorous (or perhaps it's a reason to renovate!), but maybe there's a little corner in your garage where you can get away from the household madness and get some work done. <br><br> See more photos from this <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/garage-conversion-small-space-living-1915927/#" rel="noopener" target="_blank">chic garage conversion</a>.Photo Credit: Lauren Miller
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Spare Room
14/15Spare Room
14/15Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
One thing <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/offices/photos/13-things-every-home-office-absolutely-needs-1053154/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">every home office needs</a> is a smart layout. And, if you have a guest room, you can likely set up a work station next to the spare bed or pullout couch. We adore this vintage desk!OfficesHow to Transform That Awkward Nook Into a Useful Home OfficeSpare Room
PHOTO 14 of 15READ LESS -One thing <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/offices/photos/13-things-every-home-office-absolutely-needs-1053154/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">every home office needs</a> is a smart layout. And, if you have a guest room, you can likely set up a work station next to the spare bed or pullout couch. We adore this vintage desk!Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Kids' Room
15/15Kids' Room
15/15Photo Credit: Lauren Kolyn
Another useful little nook to put an office (for your kiddos!) is in their bedroom. If you're tight on space, a loft bed with room for a desk or play area underneath is ideal. <br><br> This adorable room is in this <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/toronto-loft-100-year-old-ex-factory-designer-style-1909756/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Toronto loft in a 100-year-old ex-factory</a>.OfficesHow to Transform That Awkward Nook Into a Useful Home OfficeKids' Room
PHOTO 15 of 15READ LESS -Another useful little nook to put an office (for your kiddos!) is in their bedroom. If you're tight on space, a loft bed with room for a desk or play area underneath is ideal. <br><br> This adorable room is in this <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/toronto-loft-100-year-old-ex-factory-designer-style-1909756/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Toronto loft in a 100-year-old ex-factory</a>.Photo Credit: Lauren Kolyn
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