-
Step 1
Outfit an armoire--either antique or contemporary--as a combination desk and storage system. Armoires are available in styles and sizes appropriate for every room in the house and may have shelving systems designed for a computer, keyboard and filing system.
-
Step 2
Mount casters on a tall, backless bookcase to partition off a workspace in a living or family room. Hide files and other work paraphernalia in attractive containers such as lidded wicker baskets or fabric-covered boxes, available at Hold Everything, the Container Store, Pottery Barn and other stores.
-
Step 3
Commandeer the end of a hallway. If the space is too narrow for a desk, set up a drop-leaf table with a chair alongside it. When you're ready to work, open up the table, pull the chair in front and plug in your laptop. A nearby bookcase can hold supplies.
-
Step 4
Borrow space from a bedroom, but keep the work area out of sight from the bed so you don't wake up to a pile of papers. Tuck your equipment into an armoire, set a folding screen between desk and bed, or float your bed away from the wall and place the desk behind the headboard. If you're faced with combining guest accommodations and a workspace, a range of options are available for every budget. Opt for furniture that converts easily from sitting to sleeping accommodations, such as a sofa bed or futon, or disappears altogether, as a Murphy bed does.
-
Step 5
Outfit a multishelf rolling cart with your work supplies for a kitchen too tiny to hold a desk. Store the cart in a pantry or an adjoining utility room. When you're ready to work, roll the cart alongside the kitchen table.
-
Step 6
Explore your house or apartment for quirky, underused spaces. Fit a cozy office into an enclosed back porch, the nook under a staircase or a guest room closet with folding doors. Make sure there's access to an electrical outlet and phone line.










Comments
zemzem82 said
on 1/12/2009 great ideas for my work retreat- zemzem.ecrater.com