How to Transform a Closet Into an Office

More and more people are working from home either part- or full-time. If you're tired of having your kitchen or dining room table taken over by paperwork and laptop computers but you're short on office space, consider transforming a closet into an office. A walk-in closet or a closet with bifold doors works best. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Measure your closet so you know how much room you have to work with. Measure the width and height of the door opening, the overall width and height of the closet and the depth of the closet.

2. Remove any existing poles and shelving, unless you anticipate being able to incorporate them into your office layout. Also, if you have bifold doors, remove them to make the closet space easier to access during the renovation.

3. Determine your desk dimensions. If your closet is deep enough, you can gain extra storage by using two standard two-drawer filing cabinets as a base for your desk. If you do not have enough depth for the filing cabinets, you will have to figure out an alternative base for your desk. You will also need to select a work surface. It can be anything from an affordable painted piece of plywood to a finely finished modular desktop from the Pottery Barn's Bedford collection. It is also possible to simply find a small desk that fits in the space and use it intact. Don't install the desk components until Step 6.

4. Use a level to mark the desk height on the wall. This will be your guide for installing shelving.

5. Install track shelving making sure not to go any lower than the line marking the desktop height. Track shelves are adjustable, so once you get the desk installed, you can adjust the shelving to accommodate the desk and the items on its surface. Depending on what system you use, the tracks can also be used to install baskets, CD holders, pen and pencil cups and other useful accessories.

6. Place your desk in the closet.

7. Run a power strip into the closet from a nearby outlet, or spring for the expense of having an electrician install an outlet or two in the closet so you can plug in your computer, printer and a lamp.

Tips & Warnings

• You may be able to gain a precious extra inch or so of depth in your closet by removing any finish moldings and baseboard.

• You can reinstall the bifold doors once you've completed your office set up, or you can leave them off. The benefit of reinstalling them is that you can close off the office as a way to physically separate your work life from your home life.

• Keep your office chair tucked neatly under the desk or in another nearby nook when not in use.

• Try to find a space for a fan. Closets are not known for their air circulation, and you don't want to work in a stuffy space with stale air.

• When selecting your desk surface, make sure it is at least 1/8 inch shorter on all sides than the overall width and depth of your closet space so you can wiggle it into place without too much trouble and without marking up the walls.