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How to Squeeze a Humble Workspace Into Your Rental
Renting doesn't have to mean totally compromising. Be inspired by these nifty ways to add a temporary home office
A dedicated home office can feel like a fantasy, particularly when you’re renting. But with a bit of planning, you can turn almost any area into a working space, whether it’s for occasional blogging, running your own kitchen table start-up or doing craft. Take a look at these schemes and see what you can set up in your own home.
Shoehorn in a work space
A functioning desk space can be crammed into the slimmest of gaps – even an alcove on a landing. Building a custom desk to fit such a space certainly isn’t unattainable for renters: most of the big DIY shops usually stock lengths of worktop that can be cut to size (see whether they will do this for you in-store), then secured to the wall with brackets (or even by fixing legs into mounting brackets on the underside of the worktop, if you’re unable to fix directly to the walls). The end result can cost a lot less than a purpose-built desk might and will fit the space like a glove.
Work a workspace into any room
A functioning desk space can be crammed into the slimmest of gaps – even an alcove on a landing. Building a custom desk to fit such a space certainly isn’t unattainable for renters: most of the big DIY shops usually stock lengths of worktop that can be cut to size (see whether they will do this for you in-store), then secured to the wall with brackets (or even by fixing legs into mounting brackets on the underside of the worktop, if you’re unable to fix directly to the walls). The end result can cost a lot less than a purpose-built desk might and will fit the space like a glove.
Work a workspace into any room
Exploit an alcove
If you’re in a period property, an alcove to the side of a chimney naturally makes a great spot for a home office, with the recess helping to visually define the space. This smart Mid-century design doesn’t detract from the overall look of the living room.
If you’re in a period property, an alcove to the side of a chimney naturally makes a great spot for a home office, with the recess helping to visually define the space. This smart Mid-century design doesn’t detract from the overall look of the living room.
Introduce an industrial vibe
Old freestanding industrial units like this large drawer set not only look the part, but can help keep clutter under control, providing a place for everything. The old metal cabinets, mounted high on the wall, perfectly complement the look. By piling them high with simple brown storage boxes and vintage suitcases, this small nook offers an abundance of storage, yet looks relatively streamlined – and certainly interesting.
Old freestanding industrial units like this large drawer set not only look the part, but can help keep clutter under control, providing a place for everything. The old metal cabinets, mounted high on the wall, perfectly complement the look. By piling them high with simple brown storage boxes and vintage suitcases, this small nook offers an abundance of storage, yet looks relatively streamlined – and certainly interesting.
Commandeer a kitchen corner
If working in the kitchen is your only real option, try to make the space work for you. See if you can dedicate a breakfast bar or even just an end corner to house your computer, and think about clearing out one kitchen cupboard to keep work paraphernalia tucked away.
If working in the kitchen is your only real option, try to make the space work for you. See if you can dedicate a breakfast bar or even just an end corner to house your computer, and think about clearing out one kitchen cupboard to keep work paraphernalia tucked away.
File in style
If your work filing has to be out on show, don’t let it become an eyesore. Think about the files you use as a considered part of your interior design scheme.
You needn’t spend extra money on anything fancy – a cheap, standard box file or ring binder can be transformed by covering it in decorative paper or even by spray-painting it to blend it in with the rest of the room.
Avoid messy labelling ruining the look by using a cute wooden stamp set to create custom labels for everything.
If your work filing has to be out on show, don’t let it become an eyesore. Think about the files you use as a considered part of your interior design scheme.
You needn’t spend extra money on anything fancy – a cheap, standard box file or ring binder can be transformed by covering it in decorative paper or even by spray-painting it to blend it in with the rest of the room.
Avoid messy labelling ruining the look by using a cute wooden stamp set to create custom labels for everything.
Put crafts out on show
If you’re lucky enough to have space for a dedicated craft corner, make the most of it by using your kit as part of your decor. Pretty ribbons, buttons and threads are too lovely to be hidden away and, by placing them out on show, you not only add a unique flavour to the room, you also minimise the need for costly built-in storage.
Look out for clear stacking systems or even fix up a couple of utensil rails for extra storage for anything you can hang (or, to avoid marking walls, you could clamp a pole between two shelves for the same idea).
If you’re lucky enough to have space for a dedicated craft corner, make the most of it by using your kit as part of your decor. Pretty ribbons, buttons and threads are too lovely to be hidden away and, by placing them out on show, you not only add a unique flavour to the room, you also minimise the need for costly built-in storage.
Look out for clear stacking systems or even fix up a couple of utensil rails for extra storage for anything you can hang (or, to avoid marking walls, you could clamp a pole between two shelves for the same idea).
Embrace baskets
Walls aren’t the only place to display your craft hoard, so if adding any kind of hooks or shelves is a no-no, try boxes and baskets. This old crate makes the perfect receptacle for rolls of fabric or decorative papers, ready to pull out when you need them.
Walls aren’t the only place to display your craft hoard, so if adding any kind of hooks or shelves is a no-no, try boxes and baskets. This old crate makes the perfect receptacle for rolls of fabric or decorative papers, ready to pull out when you need them.
Create an inspiring display
If your work is creative, you want your work space to reflect that. Go bold and add in colour and pattern in the form of wallpaper swatches, postcards and art prints, all over walls for a hit of inspiration everywhere you turn. To avoid damaging walls, fix them in place with decorative washi tape or Blu-Tack.
TELL US
Have you created a space for crafting or study? Share your tips and photos in the comments section.
MORE
Keep These Dimensions in Mind When Planning a New Home Office
Home Office Helper: Where to Put Your Desk
Dream Spaces: Get Creative With a Craft Nook
Warning: Read This and You’ll Catch the Crafting Bug
If your work is creative, you want your work space to reflect that. Go bold and add in colour and pattern in the form of wallpaper swatches, postcards and art prints, all over walls for a hit of inspiration everywhere you turn. To avoid damaging walls, fix them in place with decorative washi tape or Blu-Tack.
TELL US
Have you created a space for crafting or study? Share your tips and photos in the comments section.
MORE
Keep These Dimensions in Mind When Planning a New Home Office
Home Office Helper: Where to Put Your Desk
Dream Spaces: Get Creative With a Craft Nook
Warning: Read This and You’ll Catch the Crafting Bug
Second-hand or antique furniture is usually far more attractive than a standard modern melamine office desk. Look out for a sturdy old table or console unit with a drawer in the front to hold stationery, or even an old bureau with a pull-down top, so you can stow away your laptop when your work is done.
If dark wood’s not your thing, lighten it up with some chalk paint. Here, an old crate has been used as a makeshift printer table, with space within it to store computer paper. The whole look blends in seamlessly with the rest of the dining space, where this office is situated, and a desk like this can easily be taken with you and repurposed for a new home.