Carve Out Space for a Home Office

In Your Bedroom

Your bedroom is your sanctuary, so make your work space as inconspicuous as possible. Start by choosing furniture in the Amazing Disappearing Material, clear acrylic, known as Lucite or Plexiglas. (If your room is long and narrow, try setting things up at the foot of the bed, as shown.) Then dress up whatever remains conspicuous in the style of the rest of your boudoir.

What You'll Need

• Lighting: A low, slim glass lamp sheds necessary light on your work while doing its best to contribute to the disappearing theme.
• Furniture: The clear desk and chair are sturdy, but they add no bulk to the room and become all but invisible from certain angles. (They're also easy to clean; just wipe them down with mild soap and water―never ammonia-based cleaners―and an old T-shirt or a microfiber cloth.) Acrylic nesting tables make great platforms. Use the largest for a fax machine or a printer (as shown); the smallest can work well as a perch for a computer tower.
• File storage: Boxes, binders, and other storage elements sit neatly under a nesting table. Since they'll be in full view, choose them as you would decorative accessories, such as throw pillows and lamp shades. Opt for ones that harmonize with the colors and patterns of your decor, or stick with whites and neutrals. Files and papers not needed as frequently can be stashed in under-bed wicker baskets.