Create Your Dream Home Office, Even if All You Have is a Small Space

I am in search of cute, small office ideas.

I want a work-from-home office, but I want it to be multi-purposeful. 

I am an entrepreneur and a mom.  I need it to hold my computer, files for my home, and be a family command center.  On top of it all, I have a small space, so I need it to be cute and clutter-free!

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Here are my inspirational small office ideas:

Create hidden storage

Want to hide your office space from view to keep a clutter-free look?

Install a cabinet and use it to hide all of your home office supplies.  You can even install a slide-out drawer for your printer, as noted in this example from Southern Living.

Build a chalkboard home office command center

Check out Christina’s Adventures chalkboard home office command center. I love the extra lighting added to the wallboard too.

I also love the over-sized clothespins to hold urgent paperwork that may need to be handled more immediately.

The set up is simple and would do well against a wall in a large, multi-purpose room.

Install wall shelves

I want a home office with wall shelves that can hold some serious weight. 

I have home management binders, business books, and other essentials for running a household.  I need shelves that won’t bulge in the middle or fall one night while I’m sleeping!

I really like these wood shelves, and they have strong brackets to hold weight.  Better yet, Shannon gives you a tutorial on how to build these farmhouse shelves on her site, Fox Hollow Cottage. 

Since the shelving is open, remember to keep them decluttered!

Create a nook office  

I love how this nook office became part of the kitchen area. It allows you to process bills and work while still running a household from a central area in the home.

The baskets on the shelves can hide papers and other items you don’t want cluttering up your main living area. I also really enjoy the corkboard wall over the desk.

Get a corner desk

Got a free corner in your living room or bedroom?

You can use a small corner desk and maximize your space.  It fits easily in any room, and it gives you ample space to work on your laptop or process bills.

Get a fold-out desk

Well, if we ever become super tight on space, I think this fold out desk would work wonders! It may also work in a child’s room.

I love the chalkboard and storage shelves. You could use a regular chair at it when using, and it would look like a wall cabinet when not in use.

Remake a filing cabinet

Check out this simple tutorial from HGTV for a filing cabinet makeover. Use whatever paint color to your heart’s content.

When done, buy some super cute hanging file folders and know that your filed papers are in storage you can proudly display in your home!

I’m thinking our ugly metal filing cabinet will get a makeover soon!

Use baskets to hide clutter

I need a place to store my work from home supplies, my home management binders and my filed papers. It would be nice if I could also store school work reminders.

I like this home office shelf found on Two Twenty One.

Decorative baskets on a shelf are a great way to hide clutter and still have a system for organization. I really like these fabric baskets I found on Amazon. I may use them on a cube shelf in my small home office.

A combo office and craft table

Oh my gosh I love this idea from Stylizimo! The combo home office desk space and sewing table / craft table is AMAZING! It would be so nice to have a place to do crafts that is NOT the kitchen table.

Although this space would take up a longer section of wall, it is so multi-functional. You could also put a similar container in the middle, or a made-over filing cabinet!

You could also install shelves over the desk.

Related Post: How to Organize Your Craft Room

Install a corkboard wall

Young House Love gives you a tutorial on how to hang a corkboard. They installed it for kid art, which is a fantastic idea.

You could also use the same tutorial to install a cork board over your small home office desk, to give you more space for important documents, a calendar, etc.

Use a rolling cart

If you have a super small home office space, or if you want to be mobile, you can use a rolling cart to store your office supplies.

As demonstrated by The Every Girl, the rolling cart can be part of a chic, small office space.

Install a pegboard to organize your home office supplies

Install a pegboard in your home office to create more space and to hang all of your essential supplies.

I really like the clipboards. They can hold important papers or act as a bulletin board for reminders.

You can also store your pens and markets up off your desk, which comes in handy if you have a small desk.

This set up also works if you want to create a home office desk in combination with a craft table.

Make it a space you love

For years, I worked in a corporate office and didn’t spoil myself with simple items like a fun mouse pad, the blue stapler I wanted, or floral notebooks.

If you are now working from home on a permanent basis, it’s OK to give yourself a set-up you love. Don’t go crazy, but add small touches that make you look forward to “going to work”, even if it is at home.

I painted our very old filing cabinet pink with chalk paint. I LOVE it.

Get yourself a framed photo or poster you love. Invest in a sticker for your laptop. Do small things to make it a space you love.

There are tons of small office ideas for your home. These were my favorite inspirational ideas as we get ready to transform a small space to a family command center, working mom desk and small home office.

I can’t wait to see what we come up with all these small office ideas…and soon. The kitchen table is getting old.

Check out some other posts from Happy Simple Mom:

Use it or Lose it: A Brilliantly Simple Decluttering Rule

The Benefits of Being a Minimalist Family

8 Organizing Mistakes That Make Your Home Look More Cluttered