How to Squeeze In a Kitchen Office (and Work Effectively in It)
If you're looking for ways to claw back time and space, arrange your kitchen with a home office
Given the advantages of having a kitchen in the office, it’s easy to see why more and more homeowners are going down this route, no matter how big or small the space available. For one thing, it’s a space-saver, creating a flexible office area when there’s no room for a dedicated home office. For another thing, it can save time; with the kitchen at the heart of the home, having an office space there can mean keeping an eye on dinner or supervising children while getting some work done. Finally, it can even save energy – sitting in a warm kitchen can mean not having to heat an extra work space. Are you sold yet? Let these ways to make it work in your space inspire you…
Make sure you ask yourself: who is going to use this kitchen office and what is it for? Is it for a person working full- or part-time at home? Running a business? Or will it be a ‘hot desk’ for anyone in the family? Do you plan to supervise children doing their homework? Or is it just for casual home administration, such as paying bills and household management? Have these motivations fresh in your mind when you start planning it.
Next up, where are you going to fit it in? Here are a few ways you can squeeze a useful workstation into your kitchen…
Next up, where are you going to fit it in? Here are a few ways you can squeeze a useful workstation into your kitchen…
TAKE OVER AN EXISTING NOOK
All hail ‘the alcove’
By taking over an existing nook or alcove in the kitchen you’ll be using what could have been wasted space. You can use every inch of that space for useful storage; a slab of wood for a desk and some simple shelving.
All hail ‘the alcove’
By taking over an existing nook or alcove in the kitchen you’ll be using what could have been wasted space. You can use every inch of that space for useful storage; a slab of wood for a desk and some simple shelving.
Tuck it away
If you don’t want to have your files and papers on show though, and you’d like to hide your little office away when not in use, build it into a cupboard and you can shut your work away. Here you can see how the green cupboard drawers will seamlessly hide the office once closed over.
If you don’t want to have your files and papers on show though, and you’d like to hide your little office away when not in use, build it into a cupboard and you can shut your work away. Here you can see how the green cupboard drawers will seamlessly hide the office once closed over.
Here a lot is packed into a tiny space. It provides enough room for a small desk and laptop, lots of shelves up to the ceiling and even a few drawers that will help to keep mess off the desk.
Find a sunny spot
Is there a cosy space in your kitchen with some natural light where you could squeeze in a comfortable chair and a slab of wood to make a little desk? If so, this could be the ideal spot for a home office.
Is there a cosy space in your kitchen with some natural light where you could squeeze in a comfortable chair and a slab of wood to make a little desk? If so, this could be the ideal spot for a home office.
Room for two
If you have the space, you may even be able to provide enough room for two people to sit at the kitchen desk – useful if you need to work in collaboration with a guest or family member.
If you have the space, you may even be able to provide enough room for two people to sit at the kitchen desk – useful if you need to work in collaboration with a guest or family member.
MOVE YOUR HOME OFFICE IN
Add a desk
This cute vintage desk and chair fits in perfectly, between the fridge and window, and is perfectly in keeping with the eclectic design of this small apartment.
Add a desk
This cute vintage desk and chair fits in perfectly, between the fridge and window, and is perfectly in keeping with the eclectic design of this small apartment.
Get creative
Even if an office in your kitchen is an afterthought and not built into the kitchen at design stage, can you see if there is an unused space in your kitchen where you could bring in your existing desk? Doing this might free up room elsewhere in the house for something else.
Even if an office in your kitchen is an afterthought and not built into the kitchen at design stage, can you see if there is an unused space in your kitchen where you could bring in your existing desk? Doing this might free up room elsewhere in the house for something else.
Add other useful elements, such as pinboards or chalkboards. These really help to keep all those random bits and pieces such as bills, photos, and school notices off the kitchen benchtop and fridge, where they often clutter.
MAKE USE OF SPARE BENCH SPACE
Define your work zone
Examine your kitchen to see if there is spare bench space where you can set up your home office, or add new bench space if not. Zone it out by differentiating it from the rest of the kitchen.
Define your work zone
Examine your kitchen to see if there is spare bench space where you can set up your home office, or add new bench space if not. Zone it out by differentiating it from the rest of the kitchen.
Seamless flow
Or if you’re able to build in a kitchen desk from the planning stage, you can design it so it’s a natural part of the kitchen through uniform cabinetry. This will provide flexibility if you want to dismantle your office and use it for kitchen space. The one pictured here can easily go back to being part of the kitchen.
Or if you’re able to build in a kitchen desk from the planning stage, you can design it so it’s a natural part of the kitchen through uniform cabinetry. This will provide flexibility if you want to dismantle your office and use it for kitchen space. The one pictured here can easily go back to being part of the kitchen.
In addition to creating this flow through cabinetry design, you can do this with the same kitchen benchtop – use the same material and colour throughout the kitchen tops and desk.
Make it enticing
Enhance your space with blinds to filter the sun, find a comfortable chair and any other bits and pieces that will entice you to sit at your kitchen desk.
Enhance your space with blinds to filter the sun, find a comfortable chair and any other bits and pieces that will entice you to sit at your kitchen desk.
Adding flowers, hanging artwork, arranging a nice bowl of fruit and ornaments are just some of the ways you can make your office space appealing.
Out of thin air
This is a clever little set-up for anyone really short of space – a pull-out desk (that could double up as extra bench space) and a built-in bench seat, all within a metre of the kitchen sink. It could be an ideal solution for small-space living.
This is a clever little set-up for anyone really short of space – a pull-out desk (that could double up as extra bench space) and a built-in bench seat, all within a metre of the kitchen sink. It could be an ideal solution for small-space living.
AND FINALLY…
No budget? Improvise
Even if you don’t have a special home office in the kitchen, don’t let that stop you working there. Simply take your laptop to the kitchen benchtop with a comfortable stool and throw something in the Thermomix or any other kitchen appliance you have that might help you to work while you cook.
No budget? Improvise
Even if you don’t have a special home office in the kitchen, don’t let that stop you working there. Simply take your laptop to the kitchen benchtop with a comfortable stool and throw something in the Thermomix or any other kitchen appliance you have that might help you to work while you cook.
If it’s a really tight space, a clear barstool tucks nicely underneath a small desk; a useful feature for a small space because you can barely see it’s there.
TELL US
Do you work in your kitchen? Any tips for making it work? Please show or tell us in the Comments.
MORE
8 Tricks to Make Your Small Kitchen Work Harder
7 Easy-Care Kitchen Benchtops to Make Your Life a Breeze
Hidden Agenda: 15 Cleverly Concealed Kitchen Storage Ideas
Sit Down: What to Look For When Buying Kitchen Stools
TELL US
Do you work in your kitchen? Any tips for making it work? Please show or tell us in the Comments.
MORE
8 Tricks to Make Your Small Kitchen Work Harder
7 Easy-Care Kitchen Benchtops to Make Your Life a Breeze
Hidden Agenda: 15 Cleverly Concealed Kitchen Storage Ideas
Sit Down: What to Look For When Buying Kitchen Stools
First, think of your comfort. Are you going to be sitting down for long periods of time? A backless stool might be easier to fit in but you might occasionally need more support. Second, think of space – how much of your kitchen are you prepared to give up? If you have a smaller kitchen, consider foldaway chairs and drop-down bench surfaces, or small stools that you can easily tuck away.
Will you find it difficult to concentrate with the sights and smells of cooking and baking? Cooking while you work could easily become ‘eating while you work’ and before you know it you can no longer fit on your kitchen stool! Get around this by setting boundaries – plan your work around a strict eating regime if you find yourself constantly grazing.
Doors on your kitchen office can be another way to set boundaries. When you’re not working, this will mean you can visually shut off the space, helping you create a work-home boundary as you sit down to dinner.