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You are here: Home » DECOR » Small Spaces » How to Create a Gorgeous Small Home Office on a Budget

How to Create a Gorgeous Small Home Office on a Budget

March 30, 2020 ORGANIZATION, Small Spaces

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In this post, I’ve rounded up ways you can create a functional and stylish home office in a small space without sacrificing comfort or burning a hole in your wallet. 

Having a (proper) place to work at home really helps with productivity, especially if you’re working from home for hours/days on end. 

Although there are lots of people who can be consistently productive working on their bed or couch for long periods (I’m not one of them), most persons really need some kind of designated desk area to work comfortably (and be more productive). 

And raise your hand if you’re tired of having to clear the dining table after you’re done working?

I think you can create a small home office on a budget in most types of living situations – be it a studio apartment, condo, one-bedroom apartment etc. And you’ll see just that in the examples I’m showing. 

You’ll also find a few renter-friendly hacks and tips since not everyone has the freedom (or desire) to drill holes into walls.

Ok, let’s dig in.

The post contains some affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Read full disclosure here.

How to create a small home office on a budget

Quick Links to Information in this Post

  • How to create a small home office on a budget
    • 1.   Maximize vertical storage
    • 2.  Keep furniture (desk and chairs) lightweight but comfy
    • 3.  Use concealed storage to hide printer and large “unpretty” items 
    • 4.  Use multi-purpose furniture 
    • 5.  Make it Pretty with Artwork, Personal Items and Foliage
small home office ideas

1.   Maximize vertical storage

A general rule when working with a small space is to make full use of walls or any vertical space (like a door). 

This is also vital when creating a small home office since storing all your work-related items will probably be the biggest challenge.

You also don’t want your desk itself cluttered, so vertical storage is great for keeping smaller items well-organized and within easy reach, but off of your work surface.

So if your desk is against a wall in the bedroom, living room, corner or hidden in a closet office, here are some options for vertical storage.

Use a Ladder Desk 

I’ll start with the  ladder desk in case you don’t have a desk as yet. These are great options for a small space. 

small home office with ladder desk
Chris loves Julia

Julia from Chris loves Julia was able to pack function into an empty corner with hers.

This would work well for a home office in a bedroom or in a rental studio since it provides vertical storage and has a very slim profile.

Use floating shelves or shelves on brackets

In this closet office located off of her living room, Ursula from Homemade by Carmona installed some gorgeous floating shelves.

Since they can hold more, you can keep storage boxes with paperwork on the shelves and still have room for decorative pieces. 

I love how she styled these shelves and the contrast of the items against the dark, moody paint.

closet office with floating shelves
Homemade by Carmona

And in this example from Houzz, this tiny office nook off the kitchen has floating shelves that can be used for storage or decor.

Photo by Palmerston Design Consultants – Discover kitchen design inspiration

Use a Pegboard

I love how Evgenia from Foxy and Brass customized the IKEA Skadis Pegboard and styled it with spray-painted gold accessories in this cozy home office nook located in her living room. 

small home office nook with pegboard
Evgenia via Grillo Designs

Use a wall grid

Wall grids are also popular storage options, especially for keeping small, regularly used items – think scissors, pens, ruler – within easy reach. 

minimalist office with wall grid
The Beautydojo 

If you don’t want to buy one, an old oven rack can definitely do the trick. I spray painted an old oven rack matte black and used it on my desk with these pretty rose gold binder clips.

You can see part of it in my desk makeover post linked below.

Related post: How to Cover a Desk with Marble Contact Paper

2.  Keep furniture (desk and chairs) lightweight but comfy

In most of these examples, you’ll notice that the desk and chair are both lightweight (thin legs and slim profile). 

When you’re integrating your home office as part of another room, like the living room in the example below, keeping the sight lines open prevents the desk and chair from taking over the space.

Using a mid-century modern desk like the example below allows the window light to still flow through the space. 

home office with mid-century modern desk
Style by Emily Henderson

In this other example, Angela from Blue i style makes creative use of a side table in her guest bedroom office.

I love how the side table isn’t bulky and ditching a desk chair for a stool keeps the area from looking crowded. She definitely packed function into the space without sacrificing aesthetics.

Blue i Style

3.  Use concealed storage to hide printer and large “unpretty” items 

Printer cabinets can be super expensive. I did a quick search online and they’re many over US$250.

Umm no thanks. 

There are many alternatives, like storing them in a credenza, which is being used to store other items in your home. 

This works especially if you have a wireless printer.

You can house the printer in a credenza under the TV or other location, so it doesn’t clutter your immediate workspace.

hidden printer storage
The DIY Playbook

This other idea, also from the DIY Playbook, involves hacking a basket to hide the printer on an open shelving unit.

printer hidden in basket
The DIY Playbook 

So this can be another option. Just be sure to use a basket that leaves enough room (at least an inch or 2) around the printer.   

In this homework station located just off of her living room, Medina from Grillo Designs uses the super-popular Alex drawer from IKEA to store most supplies. 

This makes sure that the space remains clutter-free.

small home office nook under stairs
Grillo Designs 

4.  Use multi-purpose furniture 

In cases where installing shelves isn’t possible, such as a rental home, adding a tall bookshelf or bookcase is a great option. 

If it’s in your living room, you get oodles of storage without having to damage any walls. 

Amy from Homey Oh My placed this large wall-mounted bookcase unit next to her workspace located in her living room. 

minimalist workspace in living room
Homey Oh My

5.  Make it Pretty with Artwork, Personal Items and Foliage

You need to be inspired by your home office.

That’s a given.

So make it pretty by adding things that make you smile or represent your unique style. 

And this doesn’t have to be expensive.

Customize your desk decor and accessories 

For example, in my desk makeover/home office posts, you can see how I:

  • Transformed my old desk with marble contact paper
  • Coordinated my desk organizers with copper spray paint

I also used a mannequin hand jewelry organizer to hold my post-it notes. 

Desk upgrade with marble contact paper

 So, shop your home for any quirky, non-office related items you can use in your space. 

Think jars, bowls, small jewelry trays, egg trays. Anything can work. 

Dress up your walls and vertical space with motivational artwork 

You can go for a minimalistic look with a fairly subdued colour palette like Brittni did in this home office and guest bedroom…

Paper and Stitch

Or bold and tropical like Sarah Dorsey’s home office.

Dorsey Designs

Add plants and flowers to your desk 

Always, always add foliage – whether real or faux – to your space. I tend to prefer real plants on my desk. 

home office with styled floating shelves
Jones Design Company

How cute is that pink vase though?!!

The snake plant is a great option if you need a low maintenance plant (or if you have black thumbs… no judgement!)

So, which of these small home office ideas are you going to try first? Would you add anything else?

Let me know in the comments!

small home office ideas

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Comments

  1. Cee Cee says

    January 31, 2021 at 2:15 pm

    This is amazing, super helpful. I feel inspired to create a space to WFH now.

    With Love from London

    😀

    Reply
    • Nickesha says

      February 1, 2021 at 10:50 pm

      Hey Cee Cee! Yay, I’m so glad to hear and I hope you enjoy your WFH space. Lots of love xx

      Reply
  2. Kendra says

    April 22, 2020 at 10:14 pm

    Oh so timely! Thanks much.

    I had to take a look around to identify a corner because the dining room table was becoming uncomfortable in these Covid wfh times.

    Reply
    • Nickesha says

      April 23, 2020 at 10:32 pm

      Most welcome, Kendra! Glad it gave you some inspo. Keep safe xx

      Reply
  3. M’aisha says

    April 8, 2020 at 12:30 pm

    Excellent post – thanks for putting it together. I think I’m finally ready to commit to either some paint or wallpaper to give my office more of a dark, brooding vibe. But only essential runs out of the house for now! Working from home has been enjoyable for me so far – hope I can make it a permanent feature well into the future!

    Reply
    • Nickesha says

      April 8, 2020 at 2:38 pm

      You’re welcome M’aisha! I’m feeling myself more and more drawn to the moody look as well. I’m sure it’ll look great in your space, whatever you decide to do. Keep safe. Xx

      Reply
  4. Deliesha says

    April 7, 2020 at 11:13 pm

    Loving this…right up my.ally
    trying to choose one nah i love them all

    Reply
    • Nickesha says

      April 8, 2020 at 2:35 pm

      Thanks Deliesha!! Glad you got ideas for your space.

      Reply
  5. Allie says

    April 4, 2020 at 9:03 am

    Great ideas for the home office. As you know I’ve been trying to organize mine for the LONGEST while. Will have to come back to this post when I get that project going. Oh looking forward to your YouTube channel btw 🙂

    Reply
    • Nickesha says

      April 8, 2020 at 2:32 pm

      Thanks Allie! Hope you’re able to get through with setting it up soon. And yay re the YouTube channel. I’m excited for it as well!

      Reply
  6. Tiff says

    April 3, 2020 at 10:31 am

    I love your ideas for an office space at home. Now I’m tempted to buy a cute office chair lol. I really wish my WFH arrangement could continue even after the dust settles with this pandemic. Nice article!

    Reply
    • Nickesha says

      April 3, 2020 at 4:51 pm

      Thank for your comment Tiff! Glad you enjoyed the round up. And yes, I really wish it could have continued too (although I’d probably eat non-stop if I did work from home lol)! Keep safe x

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Nickesha. Glad to have you. I'm here to help you create the home you love on a budget by sharing tips and inspiration for easy DIY projects, home styling and home organization. Let's turn our homes into our havens.

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