12 small space home office ideas that are a freelancer’s dream come true

Date July 13, 2016

Dreamy office spaces are often just that: Dreams. Most of us work in cramped cubicles where the greatest source of self-expression is the kind of coffee cup you leave on your desk. It suits a professional environment, but if you work from home, where you spend most of your life, it can be uninspiring.

But times are changing. A staggering study by software company Intuit is predicting that 40 per cent of the American workforce will be freelance by the year 2020. Web and mobile-based jobs mean that you can work from literally anywhere. That’s a whole lot of people who will be setting up shop in cafes, mobile work environments or in their homes.

Since space is at a premium, we’ve sourced inspiring ways to get your work done within reach of your pen, paper and laptop too. Whether your dream office is a sweet pink paradise, plant-filled or a clean, minimal nook, we’ve found 12 brilliant ideas to help you attain that elusive work/life balance, stapler and all.

Click through for small space office inspiration.

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small space home office

A small corner in a bedroom can quickly become a work space with a lamp, chair and desk barely big enough to fit a laptop.

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small space home office

This set up is a breath of fresh air. Bring the outdoors in with vertical shelves filled with potted plants and succulents.

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small space home office

An office can be carved out in almost any tiny space, including this sleek Scandinavian-inspired cove tucked under the staircase.

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small space home office

If you have lofty ceilings, use them. Even short shelves can provide great storage when they’re stacked high with file folders, boxes and bins.

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small space home office

A spare closet can quickly become a beautiful work space. The best part? As soon as you log off, you can close the doors and feel like you’ve left the office.

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small space home office

One of the benefits of being at home is that your office furniture can double as design elements in small spaces. A round table can be used for meetings and intimate dinners.

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small space home office

This all-in-one ladder can go almost anywhere. It’s a perfect spot for research, reading or organizing books and hobbies.

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small space home office

This is the ultimate in minimal design. If you can manage to keep your work area this clean and tidy, you’ll be feeling very zen every time you get down to work.

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small space home office

A stylish home office will let the creativity flow. Pick fun prints and special accessories that make it feel like somewhere you’d like to spend lots of time.

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small space home office

A wall-mounted desk has zero footprint. If guests are coming over, you can hide everything in one quick click.

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small space home office

A white on white palette makes your space appear larger. A small desk suddenly feels more spacious with airy accessories.

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small space home office

Keep everything you need at hand with a vertical work station. Make sure your board can handle floating folders and a cork board for small papers you want to pin.