For those of us who work from or at home, we know the necessity of having a dedicated work area. But if you can’t devote an entire room for a home office, there are actually plenty of alternatives to fit a stylish and functional workspace into other rooms in your home – read on for some inspiring workstation ideas.
Along the hallway
Whether along the entrance into your home or along the corridor connecting the communal spaces to the bedrooms, make this pass-through space more useful by mounting a long yet relatively narrow built-in desk that stretches across the length of the empty wall. By doing so, you are essentially offering a workstation set up that can accommodate more family members at any one time. However, do note that the chairs you pick should be able to be completely tucked underneath the desk to maintain a clear walkway.
Image credit: Onside Design Studio
In the living room
Your living room serves a multitude of functions, so it should be pointed out that your office space here shouldn’t stick out physically or aesthetically. As such, use furniture and decor that matches the rest of the space’s design concept, so that the entire area can be viewed as one cohesive space. Do note that your office space shouldn’t block foot traffic as well, especially important for when you have guests over. One way you can easily achieve this is to install a half-height wall behind the sofa, and kit out that separated area with a desk and chairs, allowing you to still be connected to the rest of your family while having your privacy at the same time.
Image credit: Space Atelier
In the kitchen
It may seem unconventional, but an unused kitchen corner can actually be transformed into a double-duty work area. Just think about it, you could get some work done while keeping an eye on your dinner as it cooks on the stovetop! Whether it’s at the end of a long kitchen counter or an empty corner next to your dry kitchen, just make sure it’s relatively nearby but not too close to the action – you wouldn’t want to be sweating buckets while you’re typing away on your keyboard. Additionally, it would make good design sense to use the coordinating colours and materials for your work space so that it will seamlessly tie in with the rest of the kitchen.
Image credit: Design Chapterz
In the bedroom
Your bedroom is meant to be a sanctuary where you can escape from the outside world, but sometimes, having a work area within your bedroom is something that can’t be helped. However, it doesn’t have to be a bulky area that ruins the tranquility of the sleeping zone. Instead, all you’ll need is to section out an unused corner of the bedroom and opt for a writing desk, a comfy chair and built-in shelves that sport clean and sleek lines. This way, you’ll have a functional work area that also blends in well with the rest of your boudoir.
Image credit: Dan’s Workshop
In the guest room
It has become common for homes these days to have a guest room, allotted for when friends and family come over to stay. But as these spaces would be hardly used, it makes good sense for it to double up as a home office. To fully maximise available space, consider fitting the bed against the wall or even getting a murphy bed that can fold into the wall, effectively making way for plenty of legroom for the workspace. Where colour palette is concerned, do note that you should opt for shades that are conducive for work yet cosy enough for guests staying over.
Image credit: Poetus
