6 Ways to Sneak a Desk into an Open-plan Space
A work area is a handy addition to an open-plan room, but how do you fit it in without making the space look cluttered?
Whether you work from home, need a spot for admin, or want an area where the kids can do their homework, a desk can be useful in an open-plan room. To find ways to seamlessly fit an office zone into your space, take a look at how these professionals on Houzz have done it.
The built-out wall has the added bonus of making the kitchen units look less imposing. The 60cm deep cabinets now only protrude 30cm, so aren’t as visible as they would have been without the wall next to them.
Discover how this petite terrace gained space without being extended.
Discover how this petite terrace gained space without being extended.
Maximise a recessed area
In her family kitchen, designer Yoko Kloeden created a desk for her children, so she can oversee homework while she’s cooking. The desk is part of a kids’ zone that also features bookshelves and toy storage.
Connect with professionals in your area to kick-start your renovation.
In her family kitchen, designer Yoko Kloeden created a desk for her children, so she can oversee homework while she’s cooking. The desk is part of a kids’ zone that also features bookshelves and toy storage.
Connect with professionals in your area to kick-start your renovation.
A protruding wall opposite the kitchen island provided an adjacent niche for the workspace. The desk is neatly tucked in along the wall without encroaching on the dining space.
Take a tour around this period house updated with cool hues and natural materials.
Take a tour around this period house updated with cool hues and natural materials.
Play with colour
In this open-plan living space, the desk area sits at one end of the room. Rather than build a bespoke workspace, designer Clare Elise has chosen a freestanding desk. To integrate it into the room, she’s been strategic with colours and materials.
A rug helps to zone the office area and its grey, blue and peach colours tie in with tones of the desk and chair.
In this open-plan living space, the desk area sits at one end of the room. Rather than build a bespoke workspace, designer Clare Elise has chosen a freestanding desk. To integrate it into the room, she’s been strategic with colours and materials.
A rug helps to zone the office area and its grey, blue and peach colours tie in with tones of the desk and chair.
The seating area picks out the blue of the desk area, but brings in complementary yellow tones rather than peach.
See more of this bright family home with an open-plan layout.
See more of this bright family home with an open-plan layout.
Take small measures
A few small-space tricks were required to make the most of this tiny studio apartment in Paris. The team at Parisdinterieur were tasked with including a kitchen, sleeping area, seating zone and desk space for the student who lives here.
A custom-made media unit and a pocket door provided a niche for a work zone to be slotted in between. Designer Aurore Pannier made a desk with a 70cm x 45cm black laminate shelf and a leg by Tiptoe. The side of the shelving unit is ideal for the wall light, switches and plug sockets.
See how small space solutions transformed this tiny flat.
A few small-space tricks were required to make the most of this tiny studio apartment in Paris. The team at Parisdinterieur were tasked with including a kitchen, sleeping area, seating zone and desk space for the student who lives here.
A custom-made media unit and a pocket door provided a niche for a work zone to be slotted in between. Designer Aurore Pannier made a desk with a 70cm x 45cm black laminate shelf and a leg by Tiptoe. The side of the shelving unit is ideal for the wall light, switches and plug sockets.
See how small space solutions transformed this tiny flat.
Balance the spaces
Cohesion is key when it comes to integrating different elements into a space. Here, for example, designer Mark Barratt of CATO Creative built in a desk between the living room and kitchen.
To link the two areas, he made the desk from the same oak as the breakfast bar. Similarly, the orange bar stools are matched by the bright orange office chair at the desk.
Cohesion is key when it comes to integrating different elements into a space. Here, for example, designer Mark Barratt of CATO Creative built in a desk between the living room and kitchen.
To link the two areas, he made the desk from the same oak as the breakfast bar. Similarly, the orange bar stools are matched by the bright orange office chair at the desk.
The desk also echoes the long, sleek line of the living room cupboards.
Tour more of this open-plan living space that preserves cosiness and privacy.
Tour more of this open-plan living space that preserves cosiness and privacy.
Slide to hide
If you’d like the option of hiding the desk area when it’s not in use, this idea could work. The design team at Heartly in Australia have created a workspace for kids next to a blackened oak sliding door. The door can be pulled over to conceal the nook when the adults want to use the dining room as a more formal space.
To create a harmonious feel, the designers have once again replicated materials – the desk is made from a leftover piece of marble that was used for the kitchen splashback.
Visit the rest of this Edwardian villa that went from tired to timeless.
Tell us…
Which of these office space ideas would work in your open-plan room? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
If you’d like the option of hiding the desk area when it’s not in use, this idea could work. The design team at Heartly in Australia have created a workspace for kids next to a blackened oak sliding door. The door can be pulled over to conceal the nook when the adults want to use the dining room as a more formal space.
To create a harmonious feel, the designers have once again replicated materials – the desk is made from a leftover piece of marble that was used for the kitchen splashback.
Visit the rest of this Edwardian villa that went from tired to timeless.
Tell us…
Which of these office space ideas would work in your open-plan room? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
The workspace in this L-shaped kitchen-diner is positioned opposite the dining table and alongside a run of tall kitchen units. Interior designer Cathy Dean built out a false wall either side of the desk area and painted the radiators the same colour as the walls to help them blend in.