Perhaps you don’t have quite enough space in your home to create a designated home office, but you’re craving a small space to work that’s separate from your main living area or bedroom. In comes the closet office.
That’s right: Many people have chosen to rework their closets into small office spaces that are perfect for working on a laptop, taking video calls, and more.
There are many ways to customize a closet office so that it feels less like a space meant for clothes and more like an actual home workspace.
Below, we’re sharing 35 of our favorite closet offices that are full of both personality and function.
- 01of 35Rethink a Living Room Closet @annawpage / InstagramThis workspace was formerly a closet off of the apartment’s living room. The addition of sleek metal wall shelves and a pop of sage green paint turned the nook into a welcoming spot in which to productively spend 9 to 5.Continue to 2 of 35 below
- 02of 35Have Fun With Wallpaper Jessica WellingA little bit of wallpaper can go a long way! This black and white hue shines and transforms a utilitarian work from home space into an eye-catching nook.Continue to 3 of 35 below
- 03of 35Mix and Match Patterns Brooke ChristenTalk about fitting a lot of style into a small space! Here, faux shiplap and a geometric print, as well as lots of accent pieces, add personality to this desk area.The wicker pendant light and bistro chair look super luxe and add welcome texture to the space.Continue to 4 of 35 below
- 04of 35Take a Neutral Approach Design by Anastasia Casey / Photo by Madeline HarperIf bright colors aren’t your thing, have no fear—a cloffice doesn’t have to be filled with vibrant prints and patterns in order to shine.This workspace is rooted in neutrals, but accent pieces like a Turkish rug and an artful chair warm up the room. Clothes and accessories are neatly tucked away off to the side of the desk.Continue to 5 of 35 below
- 05of 35DIY Everything Ursula CarmonaWhat do you get when you combine a desk top from an outlet store, melamine boards from a former closet system, some paint, and a few other essentials?A totally awesome closet office that looks high-end and will make working all day long feel like less of a chore.Continue to 6 of 35 below
- 06of 35Don’t Forget a Filing Cabinet Ashley SmithJust because your office is in a closet doesn’t mean you have to skimp on stylish touches like sconces, shiplap, and an area rug.In fact, this office incorporates all three of these elements and contains a tucked-away filing cabinet!Continue to 7 of 35 below
- 07of 35Use Stamps on the Walls Suzana NatolaThis closet office is a darling boho-style space featuring plants and woven accents. Oh, and that “wallpaper?” It’s actually a DIY all thanks to a sponge stamper.Continue to 8 of 35 below
- 08of 35Prioritize Multipurpose Storage @dianaelizabeth_ / InstagramThis closet office is well equipped to store photography equipment, handbags, and fashion accessories, and to serve as a workspace thanks to the addition of tall shelves that are perfect for holding a laptop and printer.Productivity has never looked so good.Continue to 9 of 35 below
- 09of 35Make Space for a Printer @torontoneat_jen / InstagramThis closet is both sweet and functional, boasting book storage, a printer, and your standard hanging storage system without looking cluttered. Who says a printer can’t share a shelf with accessories?Continue to 10 of 35 below
- 10of 35Invest in a Sturdy Desk Chair @emariehome / InstagramDon’t skimp on a real desk chair when outfitting your closet office. You’ll be sitting at your desk for hours on end, so comfort is key.If you have to store the chair outside of the office when the doors are shut due to space constraints, you may wish to opt for a piece that is more accent chair-like and complements the adjoining room.Continue to 11 of 35 below
- 11of 35Try a Tulip Table @thedowntownaly / InstagramWhy not try a tulip table instead of a traditional desk? Here, the workspace is the literal center of her expansive walk-in closet.Who wouldn’t want to work while admiring their fashionable wardrobe from every possible angle?Continue to 12 of 35 below
- 12of 35Add Feminine Touches @my.blessedhome / InstagramGo for the unexpected and try an office accent wall in the closet. A leopard accent pillow and set of vases add a dose of femininity, too.Continue to 13 of 35 below
- 13of 35Work Side by Side @amypigliacampo / InstagramIf your closet is big enough, you can set it up so that two people can work side by side at separate desks.This type of formation isn’t just for adults—kids may enjoy sitting together as they do art projects or complete homework.Continue to 14 of 35 below
- 14of 35Go Big With Paper @parnellinteriors / InstagramTransform a bland closet into a place in which you’ll actually be excited to spend time with the addition of some patterned wallpaper.This closet truly feels like its own little room and is extra welcoming thanks to the addition of framed artwork and well-styled bookshelves.Continue to 15 of 35 below
- 15of 35Make It Moody @caillavery / InstagramIf you prefer moody colors, take a cue from this earthy closet office, which stylishly combines a deep gray-green with natural wood tones.Continue to 16 of 35 below
- 16of 35Transform the Entryway @prettydomesticated / InstagramKeep in mind that closet offices don’t just have to be off of the bedroom or living room—if you have an entryway closet that isn’t getting a ton of use, you can set up shop there, too.At the end of the work day, simply shut the doors and no one will ever know your desk is inside!Continue to 17 of 35 below
- 17of 35Accessorize Like a Pro @homemadebycarmona / InstagramAccessorize your closet office the same way you would a regular office. A potted plant, some picture frames, and a few favorite books will all add personality to the space.Continue to 18 of 35 below
- 18of 35Incorporate Plenty of Shelves @serendipitouslizzie / InstagramIf you’re up for a DIY, consider building your own desk out of various IKEA components to ensure it meets your storage needs.This desk now offers plenty of room for books, files, notebooks, and more, all thanks to the drawers and shelves present.Continue to 19 of 35 below
- 19of 35Opt for a Textured Backdrop @home_sweet_homedecor / InstagramEven in a more compact closet office, you can still have fun with a bit of wallpaper. This soothing grasscloth print is extra beautiful due to its unique texture.Continue to 20 of 35 below
- 20of 35Hang Open Shelving @haymounthomes / InstagramHang open shelving above your desk to maximize the vertical space that’s present in a closet.Better yet, you’ll be able to admire some of your favorite things throughout the workday. Don’t forget to decorate the walls, too.Continue to 21 of 35 below
- 21of 35Make Use of Cubbies @solgracehome / InstagramSmall cubbies make it easy to keep everything neat and organized. One of the shelves in this closet office even houses a printer, which maximizes efficiency throughout the day.Continue to 22 of 35 below
- 22of 35Try a Closet Curtain @bshephard27 / InstagramIf your closet doors start to feel too bulky once your desk is in there, consider removing them in favor of a curtain.There are so many directions you can take when choosing a closet curtain. This striped option is classic and sweet.Continue to 23 of 35 below
- 23of 35Take a Renter-Friendly Approach @karrielynn__ / InstagramIf you anticipate that your closet office might be temporary, consider using stick-on wall hooks to adhere your picture frames and other decorative items to the walls. This approach is ideal for renters looking to leave as minimal a trace as possible.Continue to 24 of 35 below
- 24of 35Experiment With Color @bohobeachteacher / InstagramThe closet office is a great place to take some risks aesthetically and embrace a color that you may not use otherwise.This green and white wallpaper is certainly bold, but it can quickly be shut out of site at a moment’s notice.Continue to 25 of 35 below
- 25of 35Work Around Nooks and Crannies @fowlkesstudio / InstagramWallpaper can also work wonders in disguising an oddly shaped closet a bit—your eye will focus on the pattern, not on the various nooks and crannies present.Continue to 26 of 35 below
- 26of 35Keep It Minimal @beccajonesinteriors / InstagramPerhaps you crave more of a soothing space in which you can tune out all outside distractions.Outfitting your closet office in neutrals is the way to go—here, neutral furnishings and wallpaper as well as clear file folders work wonders in creating a streamlined setup.Continue to 27 of 35 below
- 27of 35Install a Pendant Light Project WhimJazz up your desk area with an overhead pendant light that is both functional and chic. It also eliminates the need for a tabletop lamp, therefore saving precious desk space.Continue to 28 of 35 below
- 28of 35Maximize Your View @highboyla / InstagramIf your closet contains a window, you’ll want to set up shop there. Whether you position your desk directly below the window or just so that you can gaze outside here and there as you wish, you won’t want to let this special feature go to waste.Continue to 29 of 35 below
- 29of 35Use an L-Shaped Desk @moodydesigngroup / InstagramDepending on the size of your closet, you may be able to fit an L-shaped desk inside. These desks are nice for those who use multiple monitors or like to spread out a bit when working.Continue to 30 of 35 below
- 30of 35Stash Documents and Tech Gear in Drawers Casey FinnPerhaps you enjoy standing up while on your laptop but need lots of storage for various smaller items.In this case, a closet like this one, outfitted with plenty of drawer storage, is perfect for organization—use the drawers and bins to keep track of tech gear, important documents, and more.Continue to 31 of 35 below
- 31of 35Get Stamp Happy @neatmethod / InstagramHere is another example of using a stamp or stencil to create your own wallpaper-like print for the closet office.Choose a shape that speaks to you and then make your own perfectly imperfect pattern.Continue to 32 of 35 below
- 32of 35Use an Angular Desk Thorn Cove AbodeNot all closets are shaped the same, but if yours allows for an angular desk setup, go for it—you may benefit from a bit more surface space as a result.Continue to 33 of 35 below
- 33of 35Paint Your Door @hattiekolp / InstagramIf you plan to close your closet office door when taking video calls, you may wish to paint it a fun color. This bright green plays to the nature-inspired wallpaper wonderfully.Continue to 34 of 35 below
- 34of 35Keep Things Airy Rya PhotosStyle your closet office so that you can enjoy the view from other areas of the room when you’re not working.Keeping the setup light and area will prevent the feeling of clutter when the door is open.Continue to 35 of 35 below
- 35of 35Design a Craft Closet The House on SilveradoIf you’re an avid crafter, you most certainly need plenty of space for art supplies, scissors, glue guns, and more, and a closet office will help you keep all of your essentials in order.See-through bins make it easy to see exactly what you have left on hand at all times.