How Small A Home Office Can Be (And Still Be Comfortable)
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For a dedicated home office, a room as small as 7ft x 7ft (around 50 square ft) / 2.1m x 2.1m (around 4 meters sq) can be transformed into a productive workspace.
With more of us working at home than ever, turning a small spare room into a separate home office has become a necessity for many.
You’ll need to consider space for your desk, office chair, storage, and other essentials.
How to design a small office space for your needs
Working remotely at home, think about how your work translates into the amount of space you need and how you design your small space. Consider:
Desk size: do you just need room for a laptop and mouse, or does there need to be space for a keyboard, printer, an additional monitor, an under desk elliptical, etc.? A floating desk will save on precious floor space.
Chair size: Ideally, you don’t want to neglect the comfort and ergonomics of an office chair to fit a small space - but if you won’t be sitting for long hours at a time, you might consider sacrificing a larger, plusher office chair for something that saves on space. Look for a chair that will tuck nicely under your desk.
Floor space: You might not have the luxury of a lot of space in a small office, but at a minimum, you need to be able to move around or roll around comfortably in your chair without banging into furniture or knocking things over!
Storage: With space at a premium, a minimalist mindset and vertical storage are your best friend in a small office. Keep your desk area clutter-free and use shelving to keep the things you need out of the way and off the floor, but still close to hand.
How to make a small office feel bigger: essential tips
A home office for remote work can be as small as you can make it and feel comfortable in, but there are ways to make even a compact room feel larger.
Lighting: A source of bright, natural light is desirable for daytime work - sit close to a window if you can. Wall-mounted spotlights are great for task work and save on desk space.
Decor: Hanging full-length curtains can make the room feel taller and painting the walls lighter colors will make the room feel brighter and more airy.
Door: The way a door swings into a room can take up a surprising amount of space. If you’re in the position to do it, a sliding “pocket” door that retracts into the wall space is a fantastic space-saving solution.
Best Desks and Accessories for A Small Office Space
Here are a few of my top recommendations for a small home office, handpicked based on quality, price, and top customer feedback:
Elephance Folding Desk
This ready-to-use desk measures 31.5 x 19.7 x 29.5 inches, making it great for a small office space. Customers mention its sturdy build quality and sleek design. One writes:
“I purchased this as I needed a desk because I work remote, I had a small space (in a spare bedroom between a twin bed and the wall) and it fits perfectly. This one fits my 24-inch monitor on it, next to my 12-inch laptop just fine.”
Wall35 Hanging Wall Organizer
This organizer from Wall35 is ideal for storing documents, folders, and other office accessories within easy reach.
You get two shelves in each set and each is divided into three baskets, with individual name plates for customizing.
Customers rave about how it helps them to keep their office spaces clutter-free:
“Wow! I love this product! I'm finally organized with my client files in quick reach instead of all over my desk in piles. Shipping was fast and communication great. Comes with all the needed hardware and a mini-level. Easily hung these by myself. Very sturdy. A+++”
ACNCTOP LED Desk Lamp for Office Home
A task light that clamps to the back of your desk in an ideal way to save space in a compact office space, and this one from ACNCTOP does just the job.
With a 17-inch wide lamp bar and up to 30 inches in height, it's ideal for monitors up to 32 inches. The sturdy metal clip fits desktops up to 2.36 inches thick.
This LED lamp offers 5 brightness levels and 5 color temperatures (3200K-6500K), perfect for reading, working, studying, or relaxing. Here’s what one customer had to say:
“Easy to assemble, doesn't take up any desk space. It's VERY bright, but you can adjust the brightness. All the product photos have the power cord photoshopped out, which is attached to the lamp part, so keep that in mind for cable management. ”
Conclusion: small office minimum dimensions
Designing a productive home office in a small space does require some thought, but it can certainly be done.
Your desk will be the single most important element of the room - it’s best to start here and build around it with other furniture (plants, fans, storage, etc.) and storage to create an efficient, bright, and welcoming space to work in.
