Closet office ideas – 10 clever ways to create home working space

Originally published on Homes & Gardens

March 10, 2023, 12:00 PM

<p> The ability to leave it open to a room or close it off can be great for home office productivity. 'This office is located off of the master bedroom' says Lindye Galloway, founder and chief creative officer at Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop. ‘The soft shades of beige and white tie it to the rest of the bedroom space, but the gorgeous arched doorway allows the closet to function as a separate office space.  </p> <p> ‘It provides the perfect work from home setup by instilling the comfort of your bedroom in your office while also providing the option to close off the area for those days when you really need to focus.’ </p>

<p> A home office setup needn’t be large to work beautifully. 'This closet office, hidden neatly behind a wardrobe door, is an ideal home workspace solution where room for a larger desk or home office is limited,’ says Katie Lion, senior interior designer at Kitesgrove.  </p> <p> ‘The shelving is neat and functional, allowing for the closet to still be used for storage, while the bespoke chair is a versatile home office seating idea and comfortable enough for a day’s work or as an extra seat for cocktail hour.'   </p>

<p> 'For a tiny office to be fitted in a cabinetry wall or closet, emphasize simplicity, neutrality and flexibility (with a dash of color in the finishing touches),' recommends Mindy O'Connor, principal of Melinda Kelson O'Connor Architecture & Interiors. ‘Utilize closed cabinetry above to keep messes hidden, and create an open nook below to slide in a chair.’ </p> <p> Versatility is key when it comes to organizing a desk here. ‘These types of home office spaces often work best as a “hot desk”, with flexibility for family members' laptops and lots of plugging in options, particularly in drawer outlets,’ she says. ‘Then individual items can be tucked away or closed off when company arrives. Backsplash areas can be a great spot for learning a decorative photograph to give the nook some style.' </p>

<p> We may be talking closet office ideas, but think home office paint colors that make one of these designs sympathetic to other interiors.  </p> <p> 'This “closet-office” has a linear configuration,' says Philip J Consalvo, AIA, principal at PJCArchitecture. 'It is concealed by two hinged doors that echo the vocabulary of the doors throughout the apartment. When the doors are closed, the space is concealed and is completely hidden as a storage closet might be. When the doors are opened and the space is revealed, it feels like it is part of the adjacent family room. The desk is comfortable and does not feel claustrophobic.' </p>

<p> A barn style door is a one of the most stylish closet office ideas. 'Having a designated space away from the noise and bustle around your home is essential, especially when also working from home,’ advises Karen Wolf, creative principal at Karen B Wolf Interiors. ‘If you don't have an office or nook, it can be as little as a closet. Simply incorporate a sliding barn door to create a wonderful room focal point.’ </p>

<p> Make your home office desk ideas a focal point with a metallic trim. 'Sleek and stylish, this smart closet office is built into hidden wardrobe space,’ explains Jennifer Ebert, digital editor, <em>Homes & Gardens</em>. </p> <p> ‘The brass detailing is second to none and a fabulous idea, and it’s offset by the jet black wood at the back. There's a perfect sized space for a chair to fit – not always the case in some closet offices – and a place for files on the right.’ </p>

<p> Contemplating closet office ideas definitely doesn’t preclude the use of color. 'In our project JB Mews, we created a compact office at the back of the property in a small closet room,' says Tom Rutt, founder of TR Studio.  </p> <p> ‘Whether you work full time from your home office or just a few hours a week, it should be a space that feels productive and inspiring. With our client enthusiastic to use bold color, we covered walls in a purple linen wallpaper to add texture and paired this with Farrow & Ball’s Pelt paint on the ceiling, coving and on all of the woodwork to create a purple paradise for the client to work.  </p> <p> ‘To add extra home office lighting ideas to the box room we also installed a further small window, positioning a bespoke desk with storage directly in front of window. The desk was crafted from solid oak to provide ample working space across one wall. On the opposite wall we installed full length shelving.’ </p>

<p> Doors featuring glass can be ideal for closet office ideas. 'This was a small closet off the dining room that we decided to turn into a study for our client by expanding and adding the French doors,' says Lacy Hughes, designer at Julian Design. ‘This allows the owners to still have light and brightness even when they need some privacy while working.’ </p>

<p> Effective home office storage ideas are essential for a calm room. 'Clutter, particularly in a closet home office environment can be distracting, so give some thought to your storage needs,' says Debbie Leigh, design manager at ILIV.  </p> <p> ‘Built-in units work well, however if you have a limited closet size, try simple shelves to store books and display inspiring objects. Soft furnishings such as curtains, blinds and cushions will help bring comfort to the area and can be used to inject some of your own personal style.’ </p>

<p> Even a small hidden desk area can include space to stash. 'Not everyone has the luxury of a separate room for a home office and with so many of us now working from home, the need for a designated area is more important than ever,' say Jen & Mar, co-founders of Interior Fox.  ‘A desk needn't take away from your day-to-day living space, and through a little creativity you can have the best of both worlds with an integrated design that can be cleverly hidden away.  </p> <p> ‘Here, we did exactly that, with a compact desk created behind bespoke sliding paneled doors. Shelves were installed to make the most of the vertical space, allowing for books and work tools to be stored away. Don’t forget electrics, make sure outlets are within reaching distance so you can charge your laptop and plug your light in.’ </p>

4. Make a grand entranceway with an arch

The ability to leave it open to a room or close it off can be great for home office productivity. 'This office is located off of the master bedroom' says Lindye Galloway, founder and chief creative officer at Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop. ‘The soft shades of beige and white tie it to the rest of the bedroom space, but the gorgeous arched doorway allows the closet to function as a separate office space.

‘It provides the perfect work from home setup by instilling the comfort of your bedroom in your office while also providing the option to close off the area for those days when you really need to focus.’

Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop/Chad Mellon

Be inspired by closet office ideas that are stylish, comfortable and highly functional

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Closet office ideas – 10 clever ways to create home working space

4. Make a grand entranceway with an arch

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