July 11, 2025, 12:13 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
In times of remote work and hybrid setups, having a functional home office is becoming increasingly important. But what can you do when space is limited? myHOMEBOOK offers tips on how to transform even small areas into productive and comfortable workspaces with the right design ideas.
Many people now work partly or mostly from home. For many, it’s important to separate personal and professional life, making a functional home office increasingly essential. Not everyone has a large workspace at home. However, even small home offices can be set up to save space without sacrificing comfort or style.
Follow myHOMEBOOK on WhatsApp now
Make the Most of the Available Space
You have to work with what you have–that’s the guiding principle when setting up a small home office to save space. It’s important to make optimal use of the available space. Space-saving furniture, utilizing wall space, and suitable desk organizers can help. Limited space doesn’t mean you have to forgo certain furniture. Multifunctional furniture, in particular, can be effectively used in small home offices.
The Right Desk for Small Spaces
The desk is the most important piece of furniture in most offices. However, if you have limited space, you need to look for space-saving options when setting up your home office. A wall-mounted folding table is particularly suitable. It can be easily folded up when not in use. Alternatively, secretaries with integrated storage also offer a space-saving alternative.
Corner desks are also particularly suitable for small home offices, as they efficiently utilize often unused corner space. Their L-shape provides a generous work surface despite a compact footprint and allows for the separation of different work areas, such as computer and writing tasks. At the same time, more space is left for movement or additional furniture, making the entire room appear more structured and tidy.
Also interesting: How to Integrate the Home Office into the Living Room
Desks with integrated storage are ideal for small home offices, as they combine workspace and storage in one piece of furniture. Built-in drawers, shelves, or compartments create additional storage space without the need for separate furniture like rolling containers or filing cabinets. This saves space, ensures order, and allows even small spaces to be used efficiently.
Use Multifunctional Furniture
Multifunctional furniture is a clever and worthwhile solution, especially in small home offices, as it combines several advantages. They offer multiple functions in one piece of furniture: for example, a stool that also provides storage space inside. Such multi-use saves valuable space, which is particularly beneficial in small rooms.
Another advantage is the flexibility of the furniture. They can be quickly and easily adapted to different requirements. A foldable desk, for example, can serve as a workspace during the day and be stored away in the evening, allowing the room to be used for other purposes.
Multifunctional furniture is therefore true all-rounders in everyday life. They not only save space and are flexible to use, but they can also be a cost-effective investment. Instead of purchasing several individual pieces of furniture, often a single multifunctional piece is enough to handle various tasks.
Those who value aesthetics and order in furniture will not be disappointed with multifunctional furniture. There are now many models that are modern and thoughtfully designed.
Create More Visual Space with Colors and Light
A small home office can quickly feel cramped. However, with the right lighting and color scheme, you can counteract this and create a bright and functional workspace even in a few square meters.
Color design plays a central role in the perception of space. Light wall colors like white, cream, beige, or soft pastels (light blue, mint green, rose) reflect light and make the room appear larger and airier. If you prefer slightly bolder colors, you can use them to set accents on individual walls or furniture without immediately making the room appear smaller.
A well-thought-out lighting concept is also important, especially in small rooms. Ideally, place the desk near a window to make the most of the available daylight. Daylight lamps are a good addition for darker days and provide even lighting.
Mirrors are true space wonders and can be placed opposite a window to reflect light and create visual depth. This not only makes the room appear brighter but also significantly more spacious. Alternatively, you can work with mirrored surfaces on furniture or decorative objects to achieve this effect.
Cable Management and Keeping Order
A well-organized and tidy office immediately appears larger. To tidy up the many cables that often accumulate in offices, cable channels are suitable for bundling multiple cables along walls or table edges. A cable box can also invisibly store power strips and excess cable lengths.
To maintain order on the desk, desk organizers are recommended. They serve to keep frequently used items like pens, notepads, or paper clips within reach and neatly stored. If you have limited space on your desk, you can use wall organizers.
Interior Designer Recommends 7 Pieces of Furniture for More Storage in the Home Office
6 Tips for Furnishing a Student Apartment on a Tight Budget
5 Clever Ideas for More Space in Small Living Rooms
Utilize Niches
Not everyone has a small home office available. However, even small niches in the bedroom or living room can be used to set up a workspace. Ideal are corners, window niches, areas under sloped ceilings, or the space next to a cabinet, which often stand empty. A narrow wall-mounted folding table or a secretary requires little space and can be easily closed when not in use. Shelves or custom-built installations can also serve as a work surface. To separate work from personal life, you can visually divide the area with curtains or a room divider.