Ask Joshua: How to Create a Home Office When You Don’t Have Space for a Desk

Hi Joshua,

I recently moved into a small home without a dedicated office. My kids and I have been working at the dining table, but it isn’t a practical long-term solution. I’m getting tired of clearing everything away whenever we need to eat, and I don’t know where else we could fit a desk.

I’ve attached a few pictures of the first floor of my home. Do you have any suggestions for creating a workspace in such a small space?

Thank you,

Alina, Schaumburg, IL

A small home office alcove with a built-in desk, floating shelves, and a black shiplap accent wall, designed by virtual interior designer Joshua Jones of JJones Design Co.

Hi Alina,

Thank you for sending pictures of your home. They were very helpful because small homes often contain potential workspaces that are easy to overlook.

After looking at your first floor, I noticed the open area beneath your staircase, where you currently have a bookcase and bench. I think this would be the best place to create a compact home office. It would give you a designated workspace away from the dining table without requiring an additional room or taking up much more floor space.

I recommend replacing the existing bookcase and bench with a desk-and-bookcase combination. A narrow writing desk with shelves above it would make good use of the wall’s vertical space while providing room for books, office supplies, school materials, and a few decorative pieces. This arrangement would preserve much of the storage you already have while adding a practical work surface.

Before choosing a desk, carefully measure the width and depth of the area, as well as the changing ceiling height beneath the stairs. The desk should be deep enough to hold a laptop and basic supplies but shallow enough to keep the walkway comfortable. A chair that tucks completely beneath the desk will also prevent the workspace from projecting too far into the room.

Because this area is visible from the rest of the first floor, look for a desk that complements the furniture already in your home. Based on your existing color palette, I would choose a white, cream, light wood, or another soft neutral finish. This will help the workspace feel connected to the surrounding room instead of looking like an office that was squeezed into an unused corner.

You can also make the area easier to maintain with a few simple additions:

• Use baskets or decorative boxes on the shelves to conceal school and office supplies.

• Add a small drawer unit or file box for paperwork that would otherwise collect on the desk.

• Install a wall-mounted light or place a compact table lamp on the desk if the staircase area needs additional lighting.

• Use cable clips or a cord cover to keep charging cords organized and out of sight.

• Give each child a labeled basket or folder so their work can be stored quickly at the end of the day.

If more than one person needs to use the workspace, you could create a simple schedule for the desk while keeping portable supply baskets for anyone who occasionally needs to work elsewhere. Even if the desk cannot accommodate everyone simultaneously, it will reduce the amount of work and school material that accumulates on the dining table.

A small home may not have room for a traditional office, but it often has an alcove, landing, hallway, closet, or space beneath a staircase that can serve the same purpose. The goal is not necessarily to fit a full-sized office into your home. It is to create a designated surface where you can work comfortably and store everything when the workday is finished.

I hope this helps you turn the space beneath your staircase into a functional home office. I would love to see pictures of what you decide to create.

Warmly,

Joshua

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