16 DIY Small Home Office Ideas for When You Have No Space!

More people than ever are working at home, whether they start their own business, or telecommute… And that can be pretty tough if you live in a small space. You can always carve out practical spaces in a small home, and make them look great with some clever decorating tricks. Keeping organized, reducing clutter to a minimum and using double duty furniture and spaces are the key to finding home office space in a small home. Check out these inspirational ideas for creating a small home office! (By the looks of these, mine needs some touches!)

Small Home Office Design Ideas

If you’re working with limited square footage, design becomes your secret weapon. These small home office layouts combine creativity with functionality so you can carve out a dedicated workspace in even the tightest spots.

Corner Workspace Inspiration

The ‘Tiny Canal Cottage’ has a great idea for those of you squeezing a small home office into the corner of a guest room, or even your master bedroom. Light, and plants. The mirror above her desk reflects the light from the window, effectively doubling it. This is so important for those of us who work at home! And add plants for life, my friends. They remind us that there is still a beautiful world out there after we finish those spreadsheets. 🙂 And, they clean the air you breathe in, all day long!

Built-In Closet Office (Cloffice)

‘Tidy Little Tribe’ has a tutorial on how to turn a closet into a small DIY office space. This means you don’t have to “find” a bedroom or an unused corner. It also means that if you can leave the doors on, you can close off any clutter at the end of the day. But, you sure don’t have to, look how pretty!

Bright Closet Turned Office

Here  is another ‘cloffice’ by ’Nesting with Grace’.  This small home office design idea is gorgeous as well as practical. Wallpaper and stick on tile make it pretty, and they address the home office lighting with a hanging pendant. Lots of shelving for office storage and a cute chair make it perfect! We also loved the way they hung the monitor on the wall, freeing up desk space.

Under Window Office

Next up from ‘Emily Henderson’ is this small home office idea that doesn’t require its own room. Seriously stylish office space, tucked under the window in the living room.

Space Saving Office

This ladder desk is a great small home office idea, because it takes up very little floor space. and has tons of storage! This office to swoon over is from ‘Chris Loves Julia’.

Modern Home Office Ideas

Modern home office ideas focus on clean lines, simple layouts, and functional design that works well in small spaces. These setups use smart furniture choices and minimal styling to create a workspace that feels organized, efficient, and easy to live with.

Sleek Wood Closet Office

This modern home office idea also uses a closet to provide the space, but this closet becomes a room in its own right. ‘Outfits and Outings’ created a wood accent wall, then added substantial and sleek wood floating shelves for the desk and for storage space. You have to jump on over and check out the coolest way they handled the lighting situation! They used LED light strips under the shelving. You can also check out our tutorial on how to install LED strip lights that we used in our kitchen, over at TBD.

Floating Desk Corner Office

A floating desk in an unused nook, with wallpaper, modern art and plants. Who would NOT want to work here? This modern home office design is from ‘Milton & King Wallpaper’. We found a great tutorial for a DIY floating desk at ‘The Navage Patch’. They used butcher block counter for theirs. (You can get that cheap at Ikea!)

All-in-One Desk with Storage

From ‘The Container Store’ blog, this small office idea is the simplest yet. Find an unused wall or corner, and install strip shelving. It’s inexpensive, and  you can customize it any way you want. This allows you to fit your DIY home office into any space, but still gives you all the storage you need.

Ikea Office Ideas

Ikea office ideas are a go-to for small spaces because they are affordable, flexible, and easy to customize. Many of these setups use simple components that can be mixed and matched to fit awkward layouts, making it easier to create a functional home office without committing to built-in furniture.

Pegboard Desk Setup

‘Never Skip Brunch‘ made this gorgeous Ikea office pegboard and herringbone desk herself! Go check out how she made this glam but professional space.

Under the Stairs Ikea Desk Setup

Medina from ‘Grillo Designs’ made this super space saving DIY home office under the stairs. She used Ikea office filing drawers and their tabletops to create the desk, and tucked in a tiny floating shelf with baskets for storage. We love the wood accent on the wall!

Fold-Away Desk Ideas

Fold away desks are a smart solution for small homes where a dedicated office is not always possible. These designs allow you to create a functional workspace when you need it and tuck it away when you do not, helping the room stay open and clutter-free.

Wall-Mounted Fold Away Desk

This simple fold-down desk from ‘Not Just a Housewife‘ is a classic space-saving DIY that’s both functional and customizable. Built directly into the wall with sturdy hinges and optional gas spring supports, it is perfect for tight bedrooms or guest rooms, and when it is closed, it blends right into the room. You can even add shelves above it for extra storage or décor.

Secretary Desk Office Setup

For a more playful take on a fold-away workspace, this ‘Reality Daydream‘ project shows how to make a wall-mounted “secretary desk” that folds up and includes storage inside. It was originally designed for a child’s room with chalkboard details, but the same basic idea works great in compact adult spaces too, keeping supplies tucked out of sight until you are ready to work.

Fold-Down Wall Desk

If you are into a weekend project that feels more custom, ‘DIY Huntress‘ shares a fold-down wall desk build that looks like artwork when closed and opens up into a fully functional workspace. It is a great option if you want something that blends smoothly into your décor while saving valuable floor space.

Repurposed Furniture Office Ideas

Repurposed desk ideas are a creative way to add a home office without buying new furniture. By reusing items you already own or finding secondhand pieces, you can create a functional workspace that adds character while saving space and money.

Dresser Turned Desk

This ‘Lemon & Bloom‘ project shows how a thrifted dresser can be transformed into a beautiful secretary-style desk with a flip-top workspace and plenty of built-in storage. It is a great way to repurpose a piece you already own while creating a compact home office that feels custom and intentional. Perfect for small rooms where every inch counts.

Vintage Desk Makeover

If you love vintage finds, this ‘Prodigal Pieces‘ makeover walks through turning an antique dressing table into a functional desk while preserving its original charm. The tutorial shares the full process, from cleanup to styling, making it a great example of how older furniture can be given new purpose as a small home office workstation.

Repurposed DIY Nightstand Desk

This ‘Doodlecraft‘ project shows how two old nightstands can be repurposed into a charming DIY desk using paint and a simple wood top. It is a budget-friendly way to build a workspace with storage on both sides, and it works especially well for bedrooms or tight corners where a traditional desk might not fit.

Making Room for a Home Office

So whether you are working at home, resolving to start a business and need space, are studying for a degree, or just need a spot to do the bills, these great small home office ideas and solutions for small spaces will make sure there are no more excuses! We think you want to jump right over to our post on Home Office Organization Ideas and DIY Desks…

Also, check us out on Redfin, where we give advice for creating office space in an apartment!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more info.