Having a small home office is a must for anyone working from home or anyone who finds themselves wishing they had a desk to make their daily tasks easier. The dining room table is a quick solution, but it can quickly become cumbersome and is typically not a space free of distractions. However, it’s hard to justify setting aside a whole room for a workspace. But what if there was a middle ground between using a dining table and taking over an entire spare room?

Below, you can find the most inspiring ideas to help you find inspiration to transform an empty hallway into a small home office space to maximize your square footage without compromising floor space.

Modern-Style Wooden Desk and Chair in an Elegantly Decorated Hallway

If you have a wider-than-average hallway area, you can simply place a desk and matching chair against one of the walls for easy access to your workstation. This desk perfectly blends a modern design with a more traditional wood finish in a muted tone.

The color of the wood is complemented well by the similar and contrasting tones in the wallpaper as well as the parquet flooring. A vintage chandelier and simple off-white runner are excellent finishing touches and round this inviting space off beautifully.

Styled by Grey Deco, photographed by Henrik Linden for Alvhem

An End-of-the-Hallway Desk Nook Made of Floating Shelves

Some hallways have empty, unused spaces at the end, or a tiny linen closet that may not be needed in your house. These small spaces are an excellent area to set up a compact home office.

With only some fairly minimal modifications, you can create a lower desk surface with room for storage in the vertical space along the back wall. This example office also features a floor-to-ceiling curtain that can be pulled across for a bit of privacy or to keep the area out of sight of house guests.

photographed by Krister Engström, styled by Livindeco, sold via Kvarteret Mäkleri

A Bold, Standard-Sized Desk With a Bright Chair to Fill the Unused Space at the Top of the Stairs

The landing at the top of the stairs is ideal for a comfortable desk with plenty of storage space. This dark-colored desk sits wonderfully against the grey-blue walls. Touches of decor on the desk and the retractable task lighting are great editions for this area and the pop of color from the bright desk chair draws the eye, creating a focal point in the room.

Given the position of the desk in relation to the stairway railing, an L-shaped desk could also work well here.

Photographed by Mia Borgelin for Historiska Hem

A Narrow Task Desk and Statement Chair in a Tiny Space

If you’re someone who only needs a desk occasionally or for quick chores, a more quaint and decorative office desk may be the better fit for you. This narrow shelving unit has been placed against this recessed wall and repurposed into a small home office space.

The bold, black traditional-style chair draws the eye and is an attractive element in this room. Where other desks may protrude into the already tight walkway, this narrow option is a creative solution to this issue.

styled by Livin Deco, photographed by Jonas Berg, for sale via Stadshem

A Discrete Home Office Nook to Eliminate Wasted Space

Similar to some of the small office ideas we’ve seen so far, this small space has been transformed into a home office with a bit of extra storage space and a curtain to hide the area when needed. The powder blue seat is a charming touch that subtly pops when placed against the intricate wallpaper.

Natural light coming from a nearby window bathes this compact space in a warm glow, creating an inviting workspace.

styled by Apartment Studio for Stadshem

A Floating Desk at the Top of the Stairs to Create a Functional Workspace

Just steps away from a child’s bedroom, this small home office area is positioned in the perfect spot for parents to get things done while keeping an eye on the kids. White walls and a thin floating desk help to keep the immediate space stress-free and tidy.

The opaque curtain here is used to block off a storage space as opposed to hiding the workspace, allowing you to maintain a neat appearance without sacrificing keeping needed items close at hand.

via Alvhem

Create a Dedicated Space for Work in an Unused Corner

Similarly to the previous small home office area, this placement has a small desk situated in a corner just outside the family room. This makes for a convenient workspace that doesn’t impede the functionality of the more frequently used room.

A small cork board fits perfectly on the wall to keep important papers in view while the rest of the area is reserved for a laptop computer or notebook.

via Bjurfors

Transform a Shallow Hallway Alcove into a Small Home Workspace

Awkward recessed areas in a hallway present an excellent opportunity to set up a home office. In this particular example, the shape of the room itself also helps to provide a buffer to the natural walking path.

Framed photos and prints can be hung on the wall for a more personalized touch and a modern small lamp and matching metal seat pull the small area together to create a functional workspace you won’t mind spending time in.

via Entrance Makleri

Encourage Focus With a Compact Desk Workstation

If you’re someone who values focus and sophisticated air, a small desk set apart from other furniture may be the right choice for your home office. The warm wood tones, bright walls, and black accessories such as the mirror and lamp work together to result in an academic appearance with minimal potential distractions.

This is the ideal situation for those who use their small home office for their job. For even fewer distractions, choose a hallway in your home that sees little traffic during the day, if possible.

via Stadshem

Place Task Lighting and a Chair in a Built-In Storage Area to Create the Perfect Spot to Complete Quick Chores

A disused coffee or breakfast bar is a quick and easy answer to your home office search. Surrounded by shelves and with a convenient outlet, this type of area requires minimal changes to become a small home office.

Simply add some seating and a light source and you’re ready to go. Because so few changes are needed if this area already exists in your home, this may be the most cost-effective method of creating a home office.

via Alvhem

A Thin, Dark-Colored Desk and Seat in a Bright White Hallway

For a small home office that looks as if it was purpose-built by an interior designer, combine sleek and abstract items and a color scheme that creates a bold contrast. This home office area features both modern and contemporary design elements for a chic, professional look.

The artwork on the wall is attractive to those walking by, drawing attention to the area and showcasing the thoughtful and purposeful configuration.

via Alvhem

Use a Deeper Desk and Uniquely Bold Chair in a Slightly Industrial Space

If you feel that your small home office needs more surface area, wider desks are the way to go. The desk pictured here is more square than all of the other desks we’ve seen so far. Wooden bar stool-style seating pairs well with the flooring while creating a contrast in texture to the smooth desk.

Small light sources brighten the room and complement the mild industrial aesthetic. The combination of shiplap with a flat surface wall as well as the patterned rug continues to bring texture to the area, keeping the eye moving throughout.

via Alvhem

Mount Shelves Along an Adjacent Wall for a Visually Interesting Layout

An unneeded walk-in closet or pantry can be a fantastic place for a dedicated home office. This example is placed at the end of the hallway, as with some of the other small office ideas we’ve seen.

However, this office area changes the formula, placing the shelves perpendicular to the desk as opposed to directly above it. This can be a good way to repurpose existing closet or pantry shelves, or simply a way to make a spot of visual interest.

via Alvhem

Situate a Desk Between Two Doorways for a Centrally Located Workspace

Walking out of your bedroom and directly into your home office is a dream for many individuals. This office is situated directly between two rooms and features minimal decor to eliminate potential distractions where possible.

The rest of the area is clear for walking, which can prevent those living in the home from becoming irritated by the office and making it much more likely to be used.

Styled by Grey Deco, photographed by Jonas Berg for Stadshem

Embrace a Bold Home Office Space With Dramatic Black Walls and Sleek Decor

An abundance of natural light and dramatic paint is a favorite of the average interior designer, and for good reason. This bold space is a showstopper, with perfectly chosen decor and plenty of surface area for a variety of tasks and projects.

The positioning of this space in relation to the rest of the room allows for a traditional rolling office chair to be used if preferred. Matching furniture in adjoining rooms can pull the whole interior together fabulously.

photography by Jonas Berg, via Stadshem