Work from home has become the new normal.
According to Forbes, 97% of employees don’t want to return to the office full-time. Meaning, even if COVID goes away, a hybrid work model is here to stay and will be a major deal-breaker in hiring and retaining talent.
When the pandemic began, most of us relied on our bed or kitchen table for remote work. But now, you need a dedicated home office to continue working in a fully remote environment.
Why? Because a proper workstation ensures maximum productivity while keeping you far away from distractions and lousiness.
But how much space do you need for a home office?
Home office space is subjective. You can go from a tiny 20 sq. ft. spot under the stairs to a 200+ sq. ft separate room/basement. The ideal size depends on what you will be using it for. A 50 sq. ft. corner in a bedroom would do just fine if you are a software engineer. But if you are a mechanical engineer with tons of gadgets, a 150+ sq. ft. garage would be the ideal home office.
Also, the type of furniture and its size, gadgets and machinery, storage, etc., determine how much space do you need for a home office.
Is your partner also working from home? He/she will also require extra space.
Some people want multiple workstations in a home office. Each workstation is like a separate cabin with all the necessary amenities to work from home.
More workstations = more space.
What Home Office Size Is Right for You?
A home office can vary greatly in size depending on the usage and functionality.
In simple words, there is no one-size-fits-all approach for home offices.
And there is a misconception that you need tons of free space to build a home office. Well, no! Even a small 50 sq. ft. home office has so much to offer.
Coming back to our question, “What Home Office Size Is Right for You?”
The average home office size is somewhere between 50-150 sq. ft.
Are you a freelancer, part-time remote worker, or hobbyist? If yes, you can even fit into a 15 sq. ft. to 50 sq. ft. corner in your house.
But if you are a full-time remote worker or someone who has lots of work equipment, a 50 sq. ft. to 200 sq. ft. room will be the best option.
As you can see, the home office size entirely depends on what you want to accomplish in your personal den.
These questions will help you decide which size is ideal for you:
- What sort of equipment do you intend to use in your home office? Compose music on a Digital Audio Workstation? Code on a laptop? The list goes on.
- How much time do you expect to spend in your home office? Is it only for work or other leisure activities too?
- Are you going to work alone? Or your business requires meetings?
- Do you need storage space?
- Will you be manufacturing or assembling products at home?
To help you design the perfect home office, here are a few key measurements to keep in mind:
- Desk size
- Chair size
- Storage required
- Shelving requirement
- Space for work-equipment
- Meeting space
What space ideas do you have?
Let’s start with the possible areas in your home that can accommodate your home office setup:
- Closet
- A corner in your bedroom/living room
- A separate room
- Under the stairs
- Garage
- Basement
- Attic
- Alcove
- Kitchen
- Backyard office (tool sheds, enclosed cabanas, home office sheds)
- Dining room
- Entire floor
What Are the Best Office Space Options?
Home office under the stairs
Remember that cupboard under the stairs from Harry Potter?
You can use that space as your home office. Depending on the layout of your stairs, you can accommodate a lot of stuff, like a desk, chair, computer, printer, and maybe some floating shelves too.
A small home office under a stair can have a 5 x 2½ft desk with a small office chair. But remember, this is not a good option for people who do practical work like sew clothe, assemble products, or compose music.
Home office in a closet
A separate home office space where nobody can intrude is the ideal option if you are someone like me.
Suppose you go with a small closet in your bedroom.
You need enough space for your desk and chair, considering that the desk can accommodate all your accessories like laptop, printer, and files.
A 2ft. x 4ft. desk would be a perfect fit for your closet. You can push the chair/stool under the desk and easily close the door too.
It goes without saying that a closet is an extremely tight space — no exaggeration. It is only feasible if you’re someone who works on a laptop only.
Home office in a bedroom or dining room
If you are looking for something spacious, setting up an open home office in your bedroom is a good idea. But there’s a downside, too; if you are not alone, you will have to deal with a lack of visual privacy and distractions.
But out of all the options here, this one is the cheapest. You don’t need to renovate or construct new structures, just set up your equipment and start working.
A 48-72” wide and 24-36” deep freestanding desk would be a perfect option for a home office in a bedroom.
If your bedroom is choked with furniture, a dining room might be the next best option. It is cheap and quick to set up your workstation. But being the centerpiece of your home, you’ll be bothered multiple times throughout the day.
You might also have an empty wall around somewhere or an unused corner. Why not use it as a home office? Get an L-shaped desk or a corner desk and make use of that spare space.
Home office in a separate room
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Imagine having a separate room for work? Free from all the distractions, your own personalized space for business…and money.
Full-sized desks, filing cabinets, storage boxes, drafting boards, additional seating —you can practically shift each work-related accessory and furniture in your room home office.
You can go for the following dimensions if you have 13’5” x 11’8” (or comparable) room dimensions:
TOPSKY Computer Desk with Bookshelf/Metal Hole Cable Cover 1.18″ Thick Desk (55″, Rustic Brown)
- CT-8025: 1 year warranty and suitable for office use. ※All of Synthetic wood furniture in TOPSKY were using CARB P2 Class board.
- Super Sturdy: Desktop made of 1.18″ thick board, waterproof and ant scratch, easy to clean, 1.57″X1.57″ (40mm*40mm)metal legs are strong enough to support heavy duty parcels（Up to nearly 500lb）. Rest assured that your expensive equipment will be safe and secure on this wobble-free desk.
48 x 24 Inches FEZIBO Standing Desk with Drawer, Adjustable Height Electric Stand up Desk, Sit Stand Home Office Desk, Ergonomic Workstation Black Steel Frame/Rustic Brown Tabletop
- Ergonomic Home Office Desk: FEZIBO standing desk after years of constant iteration. Both the home office rising experience and quality of the products are trustworthy. It can hold up to 176 pounds
- Height Adjustable Lift: The brake system is controlled by electric motors to adjust different tabletop heights from 27.7 to 46.6 Inches. 4 Positions memory functions lift conveniently and quickly
Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair, High Back Desk Chair – Adjustable Headrest with Flip-Up Arms, Tilt Function, Lumbar Support and PU Wheels, Swivel Computer Task Chair
- The ergonomic chair provides 4 supporting points(head/ back/ hips/ hands) and a proper lumbar support. It’s easy to adjust seat height, headrest, backrest and flip-up arms to meet different needs, good for sitting long hours. Suitable for people of about 5’5″ to 6’2″.
- The office chair is larger than other chairs, and it could accommodate different body build. The whole Chair Dimensions(including the arms): 25.6″W x 22″D x 45.3″-54.9″H, the Seat Dimensions: 20″W x 19.3″D x 18.5″-22.05″H. Loading Capacity: 280 lbs. The recline function makes you tilt the backrest back (90~120°) or sit straight freely.
Amazon Basics 5-Shelf Adjustable, Heavy Duty Storage Shelving Unit (350 lbs loading capacity per shelf), Steel Organizer Wire Rack, Black (36L x 14W x 72H)
- Each shelf holds up to 350 pounds (evenly distributed); total max load weight is 1750 pounds
- Wire shelves adjustable in 1-inch increments; no tools required
The most attractive thing about having a fully functioning home workspace in a separate room is that you can decorate it as you want. Moreover, your family members won’t disturb you here so you can use this room as an escape too.
Home office in the attic
And you thought the attic is only good for old furniture, antiques, and dusty oil paintings? You can set up a peaceful home office in your attic — free from all sorts of distractions and interruptions.
Working under a pitched roof is in itself a pleasant feeling. You will also have tons of natural light coming into the attic.
Attic typically has enough space for you to use full-size furniture with lots of storage. You can even put a single bed or a loft bed with a built-in desk in your attic.
But the bigger the attic, the more you’ll have to spend to renovate it. The average cost to convert an attic into an office is $40,000-50,000.
You have enough space, but are you willing to walk up and down multiple times daily? Also, the attic does not have a separate outside entrance for client visits.
Home office in garage/basement
If you do practical work like manufacturing or assembling products, you need lots of space. The work equipment, desk space, chair, storage, shelves, meeting space, etc., all will require a 150-200+ sq. ft. of space.
The average one-car garage size is 12 feet wide and 22 feet deep. Some houses also have 14 x 22, 16 x 24, and 14 x 24 garages, giving you more than enough space to set up your things.
Moreover, garages have a separate entrance and are not usually visited by family members that often.
But there are two caveats, though:
- Where will you park your car? The minimum size of compact parking space should be 8 feet wide and 16 feet long. You can park it outside but what if it snows a lot in your city?
- The money! You have to spend $5,000+ on average to convert your garage into a home office.
The next best option is to set up your office in the basement. Not that old grody basement straight out of a horror movie but an altered one with good access and improved lighting.
Basements are huge, about 1000 sq. ft. on average. Even if it’s smaller than 1000 sq. ft., you’ll have more than enough space to set up your workstation(s) while leaving space for storage and family use.
Multiple small office cubbies (7ft. x 5ft. or 8 x 8ft) with L-shaped desks or corner desks (Main: 5ft x 2½ft Return: 5ft x 2ft) can be installed in the basement.
Downside? The moisture. Heat, cold, and dampness can prove to be fatal for electrical equipment and paper/documents. Make sure you think about these carefully before taking a step.
What is the Best Home Office Space?
The best home office space is that which stimulates the three Cs of business — creativity, collaboration, and communication. It should also allow you to focus and concentrate by eliminating all the unnecessary distractions.
While a closet or the space under the stairs might be an option, they are generally dark and uninviting. Would you be able to sit and be productive at such a place for 6-8 hours a day? Probably not.
The best home office space is not just about the measurements. You have to consider lots of other things too while maintaining a business-family balance. Here’s what you need to consider before moving your office furniture to a new space:
- Location Is Key: If possible, choose a separate room as a dedicated workspace. Because working in a shared space might be a good idea at the start, but as you move forward, the distractions and interruptions will overwhelm you, drastically affecting your productivity and the will to do more.
Choose a location that best suits your working style. Some people spend thousands on renovating the garage or basement just to code on their laptops. A garage or basement is only good if you do practical work and need storage space. Otherwise, an office desk with storage shelves in your bedroom would be more than enough.
White Desk with Keyboard Tray, 55 INCH Desk with Storage Shelves Modern Computer Desks for Home Office Study Desk with Monitor Shelf Industrial PC Desk Studio Desk with Iron Hooks, Easy to Assemble
- Ergonomically designed pull out keyboard tray of 23.6″ surface is an great ideal for a full-size 87 or 108 key keyboard + mouse or other practical things, which can reduce arm and wrist fatigue. Bedroom desk with 4 versatile hooks can be used for hanging your Headphone, Bags, or other useful gadgets.
- Ergonomically designed pull out keyboard tray of 23.6″ surface is an great ideal for a full-size 87 or 108 key keyboard + mouse or other practical things, which can reduce arm and wrist fatigue. Bedroom desk with 4 versatile hooks can be used for hanging your Headphone, Bags, or other useful gadgets.
A typical home office will have your computer, pencil holders, phone, pictures, books, chair, files, desk chair, drawers, a place to meet (if applicable), printer, and yourself. Take measurements of all the must-have tools and supplies and see if they’ll fit in your working space.
- Storage and Shelving: If your business requires lots of storage, it’s best to select a workspace that is large and has enough room for multiple shelves and filing cabinets to accommodate equipment, business records, and client files. If you use another part of the house, and you have to go through the inventory multiple times in a day, it’s going to be counterproductive.
A single shelf will be 12” deep and 14 to 16” high. Built-in shelves can reduce the floor space by 1-2 ft. so keep that in mind. Two pieces of 36” wide and 48” high freestanding bookshelves would also do great.
File cabinets are compact and can even fit in tight spaces.
Lorell 14341 18 Deep 2-Drawer File Cabinet, Black
- Two drawer vertical file cabinet
- Steel construction
2-drawer file cabinet (14.3” x 18” x 24”) will be more than enough to organize your files and paperwork.
You can use vertical shelving if you are short on space.
- Natural Light and View: This is often overlooked when setting up a home office. According to a study by Harvard Business Review, natural light and views of the outdoors are the number one attribute of a workplace environment.
A closet or the space under the stairs might work for some people, but for the majority, it will negatively impact productivity in the long run. 47% of the employees in the study mentioned above admit they feel tired or very tired from the absence of natural light or a window at their office.
So, if you have an empty attic or a deserted window with a beautiful view, take no time to set up your things there.
Who is using the office and what are they using it for?
As we have discussed in detail, there is no ideal home office size.
It’s all about who is using the office and what are they using it for. The furniture, equipment, technology, communications, and supplies all depend on these two factors.
If you are an independent contractor who just needs a laptop to make money, a
Coavas Folding Desk No Assembly Required, 39.4 inch Writing Computer Desk Space Saving Foldable Table Simple Home Office Desk,Brown
- Coavas Folding Desk – SIMPLEST INSTALLATION – 8 seconds to complete !
- Coavas Folding Desk– FOLDING AND PORTABLE :When not in use can be folded in the corner, save space; Also convenient to carry when going out for a picnic.
40” computer desk with a small stool will be enough. But if you are a software engineer who needs multiple monitors for coding and app development, a
CubiCubi L-Shaped Desk Computer Corner Desk, Home Office Gaming Table, Sturdy Writing Workstation with Small Table, Space-Saving, Easy to Assemble, Rustic Brown
- Modern Design Style: Cubicubi L Shaped desk provides you a fashionable, well-design desk.
- Spacious Work Area: 67″ x 47.3″ x 29.5″ dimensions can suit your home or office.
67” L-shaped desk would be a better option.
What if you are a real estate agent who meets people on a regular basis? Or an accountant who has to meet clients? You need a proper meeting space. If you intend to have everything from storage to your desk and meeting sofas, a room for 13’5” x 11’8” (or comparable) would be required.
If you intend to create a shared working space in your home, you need space for multiple workstations. Moreover, your occupation might be different from your partner’s, and hence more space might be required. Someone living alone has entirely different options than someone living with a family.
And finally, if your business requires tangible machinery like a 3D printer, microcontrollers, or some other valuable business equipment, you need easily accessible storage. If you do extreme stuff like forging or woodwork, you need extra space and proper ventilation.
What size desk do you need?
| Occupation | Type | Width | Height* |
| Freelancer/part-time remote worker/Hobbyist | Folding desk, study, small computer desk | 32”-40” | 28”-35” |
| Full-time remote worker | Standing desk, L-shaped desk, computer desk with storage shelves, classic computer desk with drawers | 40”-55” | 28”-35” |
| Remote worker with lots of equipment/business owner | Large L-shaped with small table for laptop, study computer desk, large corner desk with storage space, large executive desk | 55”-67”+ | 28”-35” |
*Height can vary depending on your height and posture. Standing desks are often height-adjustable.
Chair Clearance: You must have at least 23” (59cm) to fit a modest sized chair and 30” for a bigger chair.
What is the best part about having a home office?
The first and foremost advantage of having a dedicated home office is increased productivity. You can work on your bed with a
SAIJI Laptop Bed Tray Table,Laptop Lap Desk for Bed,Adjustable Foldable Table Stand with Storage Drawer for Couch Eating,Working,Gaming,PVC Leather Non-Slip Desktop,Fit with 17″ Laptop(Large,Gray)
- SAIJI laptop bed tray table fit laptops up to 17 “,desktop size 23.6″(L)×12.6″(w ) is suitable for most people, whether entertainment on the sofa or lying in bed to work.the surface of the table is wrapped in PVC leather, can be use mouse directly, and anti-slip, waterproof, scratch-resistant.
- SAIJI Adjustable laptop stand bed tray has 5 height adjustments: 9.4″-10.2″-11″-11.8″-12.6″, you need to press the two buttons in the middle of table legs to adjusting the height; 4 angle adjustment: 0°-12°-24°-36°, the angle adjustment needs to open the two locking buttons on table legs; by adjusting the angle and height, bring you the most comfortable for office or entertainment bed table experience.
laptop bed tray desk but let’s be honest; you’ll be drowsing off after an hour or so.
A home office draws a line between work and entertainment. The door keeps the business in and the family out. Without a home office, it is really difficult to maintain a healthy business-family balance.
Moreover, if you just want to escape the family drama, watch a movie or meditate, a home office is a must-have.
Home office furniture for freelancers/part-time remote workers/hobbyists:
Furinno Econ Multipurpose Home Office Computer Writing Desk, Black/Brown
- Simple stylish design yet functional and suitable for any room
- Material: Manufactured from Engineered particle board, non-woven bins. There is no foul smell, durable and the material is the most stable amongst the medium density composite woods. The PVC tube is made from recycled plastic and is tested for its durability.All the products are produced and assembled 100-percent in Malaysia with 95% – 100% recycled materials
Home Office Chair Ergonomic Desk Chair Mid-Back Mesh Computer Chair Lumbar Support Comfortable Executive Adjustable Rolling Swivel Task Chair with Armrests,Black
- Easy To Assemble – We provide all the tools and the detailed instructions for you. No additional tools needed for assembly. For your convenience, all screws have extra backups. It is easy to assemble this office chair by yourself at home.
- Ergonomic Design – Designed with human-oriented ergonomic construction.streamlined armrests fit the curve of your arms,allowing you to sit comfortably on a work chair. The locking mechanism is easy to adjust the height, keep the back upright, can take care of your lumbar spine, help prevent back strain and muscle fatigue.
Lorell 14341 18 Deep 2-Drawer File Cabinet, Black
- Two drawer vertical file cabinet
- Steel construction
Home office furniture for full-time remote workers:
TOPSKY Computer Desk with Bookshelf/Metal Hole Cable Cover 1.18″ Thick Desk (55″, Rustic Brown)
- CT-8025: 1 year warranty and suitable for office use. ※All of Synthetic wood furniture in TOPSKY were using CARB P2 Class board.
- Super Sturdy: Desktop made of 1.18″ thick board, waterproof and ant scratch, easy to clean, 1.57″X1.57″ (40mm*40mm)metal legs are strong enough to support heavy duty parcels（Up to nearly 500lb）. Rest assured that your expensive equipment will be safe and secure on this wobble-free desk.
48 x 24 Inches FEZIBO Standing Desk with Drawer, Adjustable Height Electric Stand up Desk, Sit Stand Home Office Desk, Ergonomic Workstation Black Steel Frame/Rustic Brown Tabletop
- Ergonomic Home Office Desk: FEZIBO standing desk after years of constant iteration. Both the home office rising experience and quality of the products are trustworthy. It can hold up to 176 pounds
- Height Adjustable Lift: The brake system is controlled by electric motors to adjust different tabletop heights from 27.7 to 46.6 Inches. 4 Positions memory functions lift conveniently and quickly
Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair, High Back Desk Chair – Adjustable Headrest with Flip-Up Arms, Tilt Function, Lumbar Support and PU Wheels, Swivel Computer Task Chair
- The ergonomic chair provides 4 supporting points(head/ back/ hips/ hands) and a proper lumbar support. It’s easy to adjust seat height, headrest, backrest and flip-up arms to meet different needs, good for sitting long hours. Suitable for people of about 5’5″ to 6’2″.
- The office chair is larger than other chairs, and it could accommodate different body build. The whole Chair Dimensions(including the arms): 25.6″W x 22″D x 45.3″-54.9″H, the Seat Dimensions: 20″W x 19.3″D x 18.5″-22.05″H. Loading Capacity: 280 lbs. The recline function makes you tilt the backrest back (90~120°) or sit straight freely.
Amazon Basics 5-Shelf Adjustable, Heavy Duty Storage Shelving Unit (350 lbs loading capacity per shelf), Steel Organizer Wire Rack, Black (36L x 14W x 72H)
- 5-shelf shelving unit for your kitchen, office, garage, and more
- Each shelf holds up to 350 pounds (evenly distributed); total max load weight is 1750 pounds
BAMEOS Floating Shelf ,Wall Shelf,Decor Wall Mounted Shelves ,Hanging Shelf Set L24xW6 for Bathroom Kitchen Living ,Kitchen,Room Bedroom Storage,Black
- The support design that extends into the shelf is strong and can hide the bracket well, achieving a simple and beautiful decorative effect. Moreover, the installation is very simple. The parts and installation instructions for installation are included with the package. The installation can be completed in as short as 15 minutes as long as the order of the instructions is followed.
- The minimalist design wall shelf full of modern styles, flat and solid shelves with black finish, can perfectly match any style of walls and rooms. Whether you want to display decoration or increase storage space, this minimalist wall shelf can meet your needs and add beauty to your life.
Home office furniture for remote workers with lots of equipment:
CubiCubi L-Shaped Desk Computer Corner Desk, Home Office Gaming Table, Sturdy Writing Workstation with Small Table, Space-Saving, Easy to Assemble, Rustic Brown
- Modern Design Style: Cubicubi L Shaped desk provides you a fashionable, well-design desk.
- Spacious Work Area: 67″ x 47.3″ x 29.5″ dimensions can suit your home or office.
BOSSIN Gaming Chair, Ergonomic Heavy Duty Design, Gamer Chair with Footrest and Lumbar Support, Large Size Cushion High Back Office Chair, Big and Tall Gaming Computer Chair for Kids
- Liberate Your Feet, Will you feel tired for sitting all the time?Sure.Then you can choose the chair with footrest to relax your feet.When you don’t want to straighten your back and sit,just take out the footrest,put your feet up,turn on your favorite music,and start enjoying the comfort!And don’t worry about clean,it is also made of high-quality PU leather,just wipe it with a soft cloth and it will shine as new.
- Professional design team, Enjoy total lower back support with a built-in, fully adjustable lumbar curve that closely aligns to your spine—ensuring ideal posture for maximum comfort in gaming marathons Stronger metal frame, Thicker cushion, More stable and beautiful design. AWESOME!
File Cabinet with Drawer & Shelves | Williamspace | Lateral Office File Cabinets for Printer Stand with Storage | Mobile Home Office File Cabinet on Wheels (Black Oak + Dark Grey)
- Modern and Stylish Design: The Mobile File Cabinet is with Spacious cabinet top, W32 * D16 inch, You can also call it as Printer Stand Cabinet, or Scanner Holder;
- Perfect Size for Small Space: with W32″ x D16″ x H26″, the file cabinet Lateral can be fit with your small space for both Home or Office; Heavy Duty but Easy Moving: the Office File Cabinet is preset with 5 rolling wheels, 360° swivel, PU made, easy moving, smooth & silent;
Recaceik Mid-Century Modern Accent Armchair, PU Leather Single Sofa, Lounge Living Room Chair with Arm for Home Furniture, Brown
- Modern Armchair – Blends classic and modern inspiration with simple lines, square contours and excellent comfort to introduce an interesting style to a home, apartment or small living space.
- PU Leather Upholstery – This comfortable lounge chair is upholstery in smooth, wipeable, waterproof leather and is filled with dense cotton material for a soft, comfortable feel and luxurious style. Leather chair is designed with anti-scratch foot mats. Let your room look more classy!
Gracious Living 14″ x 32″ x 54.5″ 4-Shelf Tier Resin Multi-Purpose Medium Duty Indoor Garage Storage Organizer Shelves, Black
- ORGANIZE YOUR HOME: Get your garage or indoor space organized with these sturdy resin shelves; Made of a durable resin material that will never rust, dent, or peel
- 4 TALL STORAGE SHELVES: Perfect for your indoor or garage storage; 4-foot high shelving unit is the perfect height for both kids and adults
Next Steps
Want to join others who are creating the most amazing home offices and get more tips, tricks and hacks on how to make your home office the best it can be?
Join my brand new free private Facebook group, Home Office Hacks to connect with other home office hackers to make your space the best!
