Create a home office anywhere with these ideas for streamlined storage and efficient organization.

 



 

Cubby Solution

If floor space is limited, bring storage off the floor and onto a desk. Place a small bookcase on top of a desk, which will give you a space to store supplies at your fingertips.

 

 

Easy Office Filing

Turn an existing dresser or other unit with deep drawers into a file cabinet with one simple addition. Install adjustable hanging file frames (available at office supply stores) in the drawers and develop a filing system with tabbed hanging folders.

 

 

Hidden Office

Turn storage upside down with an inventive way to use kitchen cabinets. Hang a cabinet horizontally and attach piano hinges to the doors so it can open to become a mini desk area. When not in use, the door can simply be closed to conceal the work area and maintain a sleek appearance.

 

 

A Place to Create

If your office space is used for creative endeavors, such as scrapbooking and crafting, incorporate storage around your work space and keep all supplies at your fingertips. This desk area has an abundance of drawers, plus at-your-fingertips supply cups along the back of the desk. Achieve this functionality by drilling large holes the size of silverware cups into a desktop, dropping the cups into the holes, and filling them with scissors, markers, and more.

 

Collaborative Space

Do you need an office for more than one person? Use a dining table as a desk and place it perpendicular to a wall so several people can sit at the table at once. This table bumps up against a wall of built-ins, which add storage. A large bookcase also works wonders for an office setup like this.

 

 

Office with a View

Bump a desk up against a window with a deep window sill and use the sill as an improvised shelf for baskets and boxes. Plus, placing a desk near a window provides plenty of natural light.

 

Smarter Office Storage

In a small space, take office storage to the walls to keep work surfaces clutter-free. In this space, cubbies were mounted to the wall and magazine holders were screwed into the bottom of the cubbies for an innovative mail sorter. For an easy and affordable work surface, transform a slab door into a desktop by mounting it to a wall and placing bookcases or file cabinets beneath it for support.

 

 

Kitchen Office

A small desk tucked into a kitchen is suited for many tasks, such as doing homework or jotting down a grocery list. Incorporate a few drawers and cubbies to maximize the space's storage capacity.

 

 

Perfect Office Setup

Create a corner office at home by zoning a section of a larger room (such as a living room or family room) as a work zone. Behind this desk, a large bookcase fulfills all the storage needs of this work area in one simple system. For more storage, hang floating shelves along the wall. When planning your home office, make sure there are adequate outlets nearby for computers, printers, and task lighting.

Living with limited space can be a challenge. See how these homeowners streamlines and uses smart storage to make tight rooms livable.

Double Duty

When space is at a premium, turn seating into storage. Here, a banquette located across from the kitchen island houses small appliances and dog food beneath the cushioned seats.

Perfect Pairing

Even small homes can live large, thanks to smart furniture choices and use of space. When space is limited, keep scale in mind and find furniture that isn't oversize. A glass coffee table and sofa and chairs with exposed legs do the trick in this tight living room.

Expand the Space
Mirrors reflect light, which will make a space feel larger than it is. This living room is filled with dark, rich finishes, but the space is anything but cavelike thanks to large windows which let in lots of natural light and plenty of reflective surfaces, such as this mirror above the fireplace.

Crisp and Clean
Creating storage in a small kitchen can be tricky. Designing a storage smart island such as this one is the perfect way to maximize a tight space. And the centered pulls add a nice personal touch by making the cabinet doors look like old fashioned bins.

Lighten Up
The amount of light is always important in a small space. In the dining room, shades that close from either the bottom up or top down allow flexibility in both light control and privacy. The padded window seat offers another comfy spot to read or relax .

Display Cabinet
A dining room hutch can hold storage overflow from the kitchen. Items not used every day, such as serving dishes and linens, can be housed in a dining room hutch to make space for kitchen essentials in cabinets. Glass doors provide depth and allow you to display your finest dishware. Also, the all white walls of the dining room reflect sunlight and make the space appear larger.

Cozy Den
The same principles used in the living room are applied in the narrow den to create an inviting space. Shades of white and gray, plus a mirror above the sofa, reflect light, and appropriately scaled furniture comfortably fills the space. Consider placing a sleeper sofa in a den so it can double as a guest room.

Literary Arts
When wall space is limited, even books can serve as artwork. Here, stacked rather than upright books serve as pedestals and artful backdrops for a few favorite pieces in the den. Also, the light color painted trim and ceiling create the illusion of height in a tiny room.

Relaxation Station
Window seats maximize the functionality of small or awkward nooks. The bed and dresser in this bedroom take up most of the floor space, but a window seat tucked into a narrow nook adds a comfy seating area. Topped with a thick cushion and soft pillows, the master bedroom window seat becomes the perfect place to read and relax. And the pop of bright pink upholstery adds a nice contrast to the subtle hues of the rest of the room .