If you have a 10′ x 10′ square room that you want to use for your office, these small home office layout ideas will help. Whether you like a traditional desk arrangement, an L-shaped desk configuration, want to include a cozy seating area with a couch or need to set up an office for two, there’s a home office layout design for you.
This week, I’m doing some more planning for my home office mini makeover.
After gathering up a lot of small home office pictures for inspiration, I’m ready to start figuring out how I want my office to be configured.
The room for my home office is basically a 10′ x 10′ square (almost 100 square feet) with a large window on one wall, a built-in book shelf around a closet on the opposite wall and the door on a third wall.
That doesn’t leave me with a ton of open wall space. But it’s definitely enough to work with.
Most of these layouts will also work for slightly smaller rooms (such as 8′ x 8′ or 8′ x 10′). There may not be quite as much space around the furniture (depending on the size) but it’s still quite workable.
For reference, here are the measurements of the furniture I am using:
- desk – 54″ wide by 24″ deep
- desk chair – 21″ wide by 26″ deep
- either the love seat – 57″ wide by 33″ deep or the armchair – 28″ x 28″
- area rug – 72″ x 72″
- extra workspace (or L-shaped desk extension) – generally 60″ wide by 18″ deep. Although in some cases, they are a little longer (up to 72″ wide) and/or a little deeper (up to 24″ deep).
Now that we know the room size and shape, we’re ready to start looking at some small home office layouts.
1 | L-shaped desk facing into the room
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L-shaped desks work really well in small home office arrangements because they add a lot of surface space without taking up too much floor space.
And they make sure that you have an easy-to-access extra work space within arm’s reach.
To create the look of a traditional office where the desk is the focal point of the room, position one side of the desk along the wall with the other side extending into the middle of the room.
The extension should be facing the door to make sure the desk is the focal point in the room.
Then you can add a chair or two on the opposite side of the desk which would provide seating for clients, or anyone else you need to meet with.
2 | L-shaped corner desk with a couch
One of the easiest ways to set up an L-shaped desk in a home office design layout is to position it in one corner of the room.
Since I don’t like facing into the wall, I would put my chair and computer facing the window. But some people find facing the wall allows them to focus better, so that decision is entirely personal preference.
For an inexpensive way to add an L-shaped extension to an existing desk, put a slab door over two filing cabinets. Then paint them to match the room decor to help them blend in.
This layout leaves enough space for a love seat or small sofa (where you can sit and read).
The love seat area is the focal point since that is the wall you see first when you walk in.
With all the books and the comfy seating, it makes the room feel more like a cozy home library than an office.
3 | Traditional home office layout
A traditional executive office arrangement involves one single desk that is the focal point of the room.
It usually includes a couple of chairs on the opposite side of the desk for holding small meetings with clients or employees.
An extra work surface behind the desk gives you an easily accessible space for spreading out.
And also provides for storage space under the surface that could include drawers and closed cabinets for keeping papers and clutter out of sight. (A great place for an out-of-sight printer or router).
The bookshelves on either side of the desk emphasize the focal point by adding height and interest behind it.
Because of the position of the door, there’s only room for one chair opposite the desk in my home office. However, depending on your room configuration, you should be able to fit two in.
4 | Desk in front of the window
You could also turn the previous office layout around so that the desk is placed in the middle of the room in front of the window.
In my room, it’s not quite as much of a focal point with this layout since you see the wall with the books first.
But it does give me the space to have two chairs opposite the desk. If you don’t have closet doors on this side of the room (like I do), you could also replace the chairs with a sofa.
The workspace is off to the side, out of sight from the door. Which means if it gets a little messy, it’s not noticeable when you’re walking by.
The one issue with placing the desk like this is that the light from the window can make it hard to read the computer screen. So if you are using this home office layout design, make sure you have blinds that can act as a light filter.
5 | Home office library configuration
I have always loved the idea of having a home library. But I don’t have a house that’s big enough to have a dedicated room for that.
So creating a home office library is the next best thing.
To do this, you can line all of the walls (except the window wall) with bookcases.
Then add the desk and sitting area in the middle.
The shelves do make the room look a little smaller, but it definitely has a cozy, library feel to it.
With no bookshelves on the window wall, I put the desk and chair in front of the window since there’s a little more room there. But it could work turned the other way (perpendicular to the window) if you have smaller chairs.
6 | Diagonal home office arrangement
If you want to make your small home office feel bigger, put the desk and sitting area on the diagonal.
With very little extra furniture in the room, this layout makes the room look like it has a lot of open space.
Add some pretty chairs to make it feel more cozy.
7 | U-Shaped Desk
If extra work space is your number one priority, then a U-shaped desk may be your best option.
Like the L-shaped desk, it provides a lot of work surface area that is easy to access.
You can create your own U-shaped desk by using 2 desks on the sides. And adding a middle extension between them with a slab door over two filing cabinets on the ends.
This small home office layout can also be used if you need to provide a work area for two or even three people.
Putting in extra chairs will give you a comfortable place to read or have clients in.
However, they do make the room a little more crowded.
So you could leave them out if you like a more open space. That would also allow you to extend the desk surfaces further down the wall for more work space.
8 | T-shaped desk for two
A T-shaped desk is another home office layout that provides a lot of work space, and is perfect if you work with your spouse. Or have an employee who works out of your office.
In a small office, it won’t leave you much room for other furniture (like a sitting area).
But it will provide two distinct, separate work areas.
For a DIY option, use slab doors over filing cabinets for the long surface in front of the window. Then add a desk to create the center divider part of it.
That’s it for all of small home office layout ideas. Now all I have to do is decide which one I like best!
Other Home Office Ideas You Might Like
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Have comments or questions about our small home office layout ideas? Tell us in the section below.
This post was originally published on March 6, 2020 but was updated with new content on January 25, 2024.
