The One Spot In Your Home You Haven't Thought Of Putting An Office

With the recent rise of work-from-home opportunities, having a well-appointed and comfortable work area in your home has become important for many. Even if you don't spend your work days there, you may long for a dedicated spot where you can use your laptop or complete crafting or art projects. You might also be looking to create a space where your kids can do their homework with less distractions. While space can be tight in smaller homes that don't have room for larger desks and lots of storage, you may be overlooking a great portion of your space that would be perfect for an office and that is usually vastly underutilized. Stair landings and upstairs hallways can be great areas to turn into a mini-office space by adding a desk, seating, and other storage. 

There are numerous benefits to creating a home office space on a stair landing. This allows you to take full advantage of tiny areas and allow a bit of separation from the noise and chaos of major living areas, helping you establish a productive office at home. It also allows you to keep work stuff and activities in one dedicated place, which can be very helpful for creating the ideal work-life balance. 

To turn your landing or upstairs hall into the perfect workspace, you will first need a desk. Since it will be out in the open, choose something that complements your home décor like an antique or beautiful modern piece. Other great options for tighter spaces include a roll-up secretary, cabinet with an extendable shelf, or foldable piece. You could make one of these desks using a cutting board or purchase a stylish one in a space-saving desk design.

You will also need a comfy chair that should be as stylish as it is functional. This should either tuck neatly underneath or sit nicely beside the desk when not in use. Storage is important too, since you will likely want to keep tech equipment, clutter, and messes out of sight when not working. Look for narrow enclosed cabinets and desks with storage drawers underneath. You can add a bookcase or floating shelves to the small area to take more advantage of the vertical storage space.

While hallways and landings can be areas with more traffic than a dedicated office, there are ways to make the space a little more amenable to concentration. Consider adding shelving along the railing or a foldable screen that creates a more enclosed and private workspace. For task lighting, use wall sconces or a pendant light above the desk to keep the surface clear and neat. If you have a window at the top of the stairs, take advantage of the natural light and place your desk in front of it so you can appreciate the view while working.