10 clever office spare room ideas for a multi-purpose space

Not all of us have homes big enough for a separate work space – which is where office spare room ideas really can come in handy.

There are lots of ways your home office design can be worked into a spare bedroom in a way that will still allow you to put up visitors in comfort. 

"Having an office at home helps keep work and family life separate and gives you a dedicated space to focus," says Simon Tcherniak, senior designer at Neville Johnson. "Small spare rooms make perfect home offices, whether a downstairs space or an extra bedroom."

To ensure both your home office and your spare bedroom work in the way they should, our collection of clever ideas has all kinds of solutions, from those that use bespoke furniture to decor ideas that work for both offices as well as sleeping spaces. 

The secret to successful office spare room ideas 

While anyone can stick a desk in the corner of a spare room and call it a home office, this won't necessarily provide a work space that feels productive, organised or like somewhere you look forward to spending the majority of your working week. 

Your office space and bedroom ideas need to work alongside one another in this kind of set-up and both should be given equal consideration. Ideally you should ensure that your work area is somewhere that can be 'closed down' at the end of the day, whether that is through the use of clever storage ideas or by some form of room divider. 

1. Use multi-purpose fitted storage solutions

In a home office spare bedroom you will need furniture that offers both storage solutions for paperwork and office equipment as well as items associated with sleeping spaces, such as bedding and clothes. 

If you can find a solution that offers both, in one unified style, your finished guest bedroom ideas will be smart and uncluttered. 

"Bespoke furniture allows for a cohesive design that seamlessly blends the office and bedroom elements, as materials, colours, and finishes can be selected to match the room's existing decor," says Kate Palmer, creative director at The Painted Furniture Company. "Custom storage solutions can be designed to fit perfectly into awkward spaces or niches, providing ample storage without compromising on style or space. By looking at both the practical needs and the existing interior design, bespoke furniture ensures a versatile and comfortable room that effectively serves as both a home office and a welcoming guest bedroom."

Kate Palmer

Kate Palmer is the creative director at The Painted Furniture Company, a company renowned for its support of British design and manufacturing.  With a background in fashion design and passion for colour and interiors, Kate has helped many customers to achieve the exact look they desired for their home. From helping them find the right style for their space, to selecting the perfect colour, Kate is always on hand to help advise and find the best solution.

2. Slot desk space into a corner with a view

If you are in need of small bedroom ideas that can also accommodate a home office, tucking a work area into an otherwise wasted corner is a great idea – plus the desk can be used as a bedside table when not in use.

In this calm, blue bedroom scheme, the positioning of the desk means whoever is sitting at it can enjoy outside views. Keeping the colour scheme for the bedroom and office furniture the same means the whole look ties together nicely.  

3. Use a room divider to define spaces

Room divider ideas can be the perfect solution for all kinds of multi-functional spaces – and if they can double up to provide additional storage then all the better.

An open-sided shelving in unit in this bedroom office has been used for storage as well as somewhere to display decorative objects and belongings in order to keep the bedroom feeling welcoming. 

The use of plenty of greenery is a great way to enhance a sense of wellbeing which is important for both sleeping and work areas. 

4. Use paint effects to mark out your work area

The key to successful home office design ideas that include guest bedroom space doesn't just lie in the choice of furniture – the way you approach the decoration also has an important role to play in defining the two spaces. 

There are two ways to look at this. In smaller spaces it can be a good idea to use very similar shades, materials and forms within the sleeping and work space in order to create a room that is visually very neat and tidy. In larger spaces, it can be a nice idea to use colour to pick out the work space, as has been done here.

Here, a bold blue painted arch provides a focal point that marks this space out as an office while the office lighting has been taken care of through low-slung exposed pendants and a modern table lamp.

5. Invest in a traditional writing bureau to stay organised

While built-in storage ideas are often ideal in multi-functional spaces, there is still much to be said for freestanding pieces of furniture.

Writing bureaus suit traditional bedroom schemes so well, plus they can be folded up when not in use to conceal all your working equipment, from smaller stationery items that can be stowed away in little compartments, to laptops and chargers in the deeper drawers.

In this dark and cosy bedroom, by ILIV, the rich wood bureau fits in perfectly with the opulent decor used elsewhere in the space. 

6. Include plenty of personal touches

When locating your home office in a spare bedroom you should ensure that the look isn't overly functional. In order to create a space that feels both organised and professional, as well as somewhere guests look forward to staying, it is important to include personal touches and a few decorative items.

This simple home office set up features a matching white desk and chair, along with a stylish wall rack adorned with plenty of greenery. The pieces of artwork and wicker touches further soften the look without it seeming overly-cluttered. 

7. Tie your bedroom and office decor together with colour

For a spare bedroom that feels tranquil and restful, you need to ensure that your home office doesn't take over the space. While this largely comes down to the bedroom layout ideas you opt for, decor plays a part too. 

"Creating a home office in a room that also functions as a spare bedroom requires smart furniture choices," agrees Kate Palmer. "Start with multi-functional furniture pieces, such as a compact desk with built-in storage or shelves, which will provide ample workspace without overwhelming the room. Bedside tables with drawers can double as additional storage for office supplies and a wall or sofa bed is ideal as it can be easily folded away to free up floor space during the day."

The soft pink and sage colour scheme in this pretty room has resulted in a serene work and sleep space. The COSTWAY Velvet Office Chair from Amazon would give a similar look. 

8. Build your desk into an unused alcove

Some of the best fireplace alcove ideas feature built-in work areas and this is the perfect solution for anyone looking for a great way to fit a desk area into a spare room that might be a little limited space-wise. 

While freestanding desks and tables can usually slot in to alcoves, building a desk in is a great way to ensure you use every inch of space. This bespoke desk not only fills the alcove it sits within, but has also been taken along the chimney breast itself. 

9. Use a simple shelf desk unit to stay organised

If you are keen to keep costs down, are in search of small home office ideas or just need a fast way to create working space in your guest bedroom, then a simple all-in-one desk shelving unit could be just the thing you need. 

This Small Home Office Desk from Shelved takes up minimal floor space yet still manages to offer a desk, shelving and a handy pinboard. When not in use as a work unit, it could double up as a bedside unit or even a dressing table for guests using your spare bedroom.

10. Tailor your storage to maximise space

Taking a tailored approach to your home office is always a great way to ensure it perfectly meets you requirements, but in a space that is also needed as a spare room, it can make even more sense. 

"Bespoke furniture is also an excellent choice for a room with dual purpose as it can be customised to fit the specific dimensions and requirements of the space," says Kate Palmer. "Custom-made furniture can seamlessly integrate multiple functions into a single piece, such as a desk that converts into a vanity or dressing table. This tailored approach ensures that you make the most of every inch of the room, avoiding clutter and wasted space."

This sleek scheme is a great example of how those after modern home office ideas can use coordinating furniture to achieve a contemporary look. 

FAQs

What colour schemes work best in home offices?

Your bedroom decor ideas are likely to be quite different from those you might use in a home office – one needs to feel relaxed and calming while the other needs to help you feel energised and motivated.

Ideally, you want to stick to something fairly neutral overall, such as grey, and then pick out the individual areas with shades that suit their use. 

"One of the most versatile colours, grey in all of its hues never goes out of style," says Simon Tcherniak. "In colour psychology, grey is thought to influence perceptions of security and intelligence making it an excellent colour for home offices."

Happily, grey also works well in bedrooms, where it's calming tones help with a feeling of restfulness.

Simon Tcherniak

Simon Tcherniak is an award-winning senior furniture designer at Neville Johnson, renowned for his talent and passion for furniture design with over 16 years’ experience. With a background in both cabinet making and sales, Simon enjoys working closely with clients to create beautifully bespoke pieces, every time.

Can I squeeze a bedroom into a small home office?

If you are trying to turn a home office into an occasional guest bedroom (as opposed to trying to find space for a home office in a frequently-used spare room), you might need to take a different approach. The office set-up needs to be your priority, so focus on aspects such as built-in desk ideas and storage first and foremost.

"Consider a sofa bed or futon to accommodate occasional guests, with plenty of bespoke storage to store documents and devices when not in use," says Simon Tcherniak. "Discreet desks can be built into shelving and cabinetry. They won’t impose on your guest bedroom but can still provide you plenty of space to work and focus."

Spare bedroom home office essentials

If you are keen to create a work space that is completely separate from your house and the day-to-day activities that go on there, then it will be well-worth looking into garden office ideas instead. This way you can keep your professional and private time apart.