Home Decorating 17 Surprising Home Office Ideas By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 22, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Mark Scott/Ideal Home/IPC+ Syndication Think you need a spare room or a huge bedroom to set up a workspace in your home? You're wrong (although both sound quite nice). Brilliant work-friendly spaces can emerge from a spare corner, a few inches of a wall, or other areas you never thought to explore. Sounds too good to be true? Take a peek. 01 of 10 Room With a View A little sunlight shouldn't cramp your decorating style. Set a desk and chair in front of a window to help get the creative juices flowing. Keep the furniture in sync with the existing pieces (here, it's black and blush), so it blends seamlessly with the entire look. 02 of 10 Studying the Blues Mark Scott/Ideal Home/IPC+ Syndication A few key pieces (desk, chair, floating shelves) can transform a quiet sleeping space into an efficient work area. If space permits, try to keep two distinct zones by setting the work area away from the bed. The trick is making sure all decorative elements (color palette, furniture finishes) play well together. 03 of 10 Primary Palette Joanna Henderson/Ideal Home/IPC+ Syndication Go bold. Think bright. If you want to carve out a space for your child to get homework done, keep the color scheme cool, invigorating, and fun. Add shelving and functional storage accessories that work with his or her style. 04 of 10 Corner Confidential Got a corner? Work it. Even a formal living room can accommodate a work zone. Sneak in a table, chair, and a few office accessories (task lamp, storage bins), so you have a designated spot to work on an assignment, write a letter, or read the paper. 05 of 10 The Great Wall When you're short on space, a bare wall can be a valuable asset. Consider building up (rather than always extending wide). Simple, easy-to-install floating shelves or bookcases are a practical way to maximize your office area. 06 of 10 Split Personalities Tim Young/Ideal Home/IPC+ Syndication Kitchen on one side; office on the other. A simple architectural detail can divide a space without making it feel out of place. Keeping the color palette consistent and neutral will allow you to bring in all sorts of utilitarian pieces like file cabinets, storage containers, and shelves for organizing items. 07 of 10 Blue Crush Simon Whitmore/Ideal Home/IPC+ Syndication Dare to add color? Just do it. If your space is on the darker side (navy walls, metal cabinet, wooden accent pieces), then rely on your chair and table lamp for the sharp bursts of color. 08 of 10 Secret Project David Parmiter/Ideal Home/IPC+ Syndication A nook is really all you need to make a spot work for you. A spare surface can easily transform into the most productive place in a home or apartment. Installing extra shelving reinvents this living room into a working (or studying) space. Hanging a decorative curtain can give you extra privacy for those late nights when you need to step away. 09 of 10 Divide and Conquer Mark Bolton/Homes & Gardens/IPC+ Syndication The space once called your office is now filled with toddler toys, a crib, and possibly even princess décor. You don't have to abandon your workspace–just share it. (Way to model this important ability for your children!) Be creative about your set-up, and no one will ever notice that your (pink!) desk is part of your daughter's room. Count on this workspace growing with your child and eventually turning into her area for reading, writing, and tackling algebra homework. 10 of 10 Side by Side Douglas Gibb/Style At Home/IPC+ Syndication One wall can be easily divided into two productive spaces. A smart design choice would be one long desktop (it should be large enough for two people to comfortably work side by side) and sleek roll-up chairs. How to Navigate a New Job When You're Fully Remote, According to Career Experts Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit