New year, new projects. After a relaxing start to the year in Hawaii, I returned energized and ready to make progress on our home. My daughter Courtney will be moving into the lower level next month, so we’ve begun transforming that area into a cozy apartment for her. In the coming weeks I’ll share more about our design plan, but the first step is carving out a new home office and workspace.
Our current office sits in the same lower-level area that will become Courtney’s sitting room and bedroom. With our work expanding through The Inspired Room and Dwell Well Collective, we need to reconfigure the space to accommodate our growing needs: a functional office, better storage, and more usable work surfaces. To achieve this, we’re rearranging furniture, selling pieces we no longer need, and repurposing underused corners of the house into multi-purpose areas.
As we plan the layout, I’ve been collecting inspiration for clever, multifunctional workspaces that make the most of every square foot. Below are some ideas and images that show how a home office can live comfortably in unexpected places—guest rooms, dining areas, mudrooms, and compact living spaces—without feeling like an afterthought.
Do you have a dedicated home office or a double-duty space that you use to work?
When converting a room to serve multiple functions, prioritize flexible furniture and clever storage. Fold-down desks, compact workstations, and furniture that doubles as storage help keep a space tidy and functional. In guest rooms, a small desk or a secretary cabinet can provide a dedicated work surface without overwhelming the room. In dining areas, a corner can be repurposed with a slim desk and shelving to create a workspace that tucks away at the end of the day. Mudrooms and entryways also offer surprising opportunities for a tiny but efficient home office with built-in cubbies and a wall-mounted workspace.
Creating a comfortable, productive home office often comes down to lighting, organization, and ergonomics. Make sure your workspace has good task lighting, adequate storage for paperwork and supplies, and a chair that supports long hours of work. Even in a compact footprint, thoughtful organization and a clear routine will make a multi-use space feel intentional rather than improvised.
We’ll be sharing photos and specifics of our lower-level redesign as we progress. If you follow along, you’ll see how we balance a cozy apartment for Courtney with a functional home office that supports both of our businesses.
Catch up on the details of Courtney’s move here.
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Have you joined The Inspired Room Community yet? It’s free. I love seeing your homes, helping with design questions, and sharing ideas. I have lots of fun plans for the group this year—come hang out with us!