DIY Closet Office Ideas: How to Create a Small Office Space You’ll Love

A great closet office saves space in your home and makes great use of a closet that might otherwise go unused or be filled with random junk. Here are 10 DIY closet office ideas that will help you use every inch in effective ways to maximize your workspace. 

Get more inspiration and ideas in 25 Clever Closet Offices and see the DIY closet office process in this home office closet and homework station and in this organized craft closet office.

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11 DIY Closet Office Ideas to Save Money and Space

Put your office in a reach-in closet or walk-in closet to make a small closet office! These cloffice ideas will help you get the DIY closet office of your dreams, with your own personal style, in your small space, on a budget.

No closet? These small office ideas work great in an alcove, nook, or small room (like a mudroom or spare room) too.

1. Install light sconces or overhead lighting to save space on your desk.

Natural lighting is at a minimum, and desk space is limited in a closet office; don’t crowd it with a lamp. Instead, put up a light sconce or two to get the lighting you need as you work without sacrificing desktop space.

A great overhead light fixture would work just as well if you prefer that look! An overhead light would also save your wall space if you wanted to add more shelves and bulletin boards.

You can also install easy battery operated puck lights or LED light strips on the under side of a shelf for easy closet office lighting. If you love the look of desk lamps, get one that can mount to the wall or an overhead shelf.

2. Use the sides of the closet for extra shelving.

You’ll probably focus on adding shelving and art to the back wall, but don’t forget about the sides of your closet office. Add shelves for even more storage space — and don’t forget the space between the studs for shelving, too! 

This tiny DIY closet office uses a shelf system on both walls, the side and the back, to hold lots and lots of paperwork. What an effective use of space!

The next closet office includes built-in shelves on one side of the office… and a reading nook with a cozy cushion!

You can also add floating shelves anywhere you need — just follow this DIY tutorial.

3. Make your closet office do double duty by raising the hanging bar so you can hang clothes or coats above your desk.

If you have limited space in your home and still need your bedroom closet office to function as a closet, this office closet idea might be a great solution for you.

Raise the hanging rod so you can hang clothes above the desk area. This would be perfect for a closet office in a guest room or studio apartment.

For a kids or teen room that needs the closet for clothes storage space, try this trick: put wire baskets drawers under the desk, then hide them behind a curtain!

This would be a great option for a closet office in a guest room to hold guests linens or other essentials, too.

4. Use pegboard to maximize the space in your closet office.

Pegboards are organizational workhorses and look so pretty when painted in your favorite color. Having a place for everything reduces clutter and clears up your working space. They are especially useful for a crafting and/or sewing closet office.

On a pegboard, you can use baskets, buckets, and hooks to organize all your crafting or office essentials. No more crafting at the kitchen table!

5. Use the doors to your closet office as extra wall space for organization.

Some closet offices work well with the closet doors removed, but consider leaving the doors to gain even more wall surface space to organize office supplies, file paperwork, or to hold a calendar. There is enough room to hold a LOT on one closet door!

One of the closet doors in this closet office functions as a giant bulletin board with various artwork tacked up, while the other door holds a pegboard filled with office supplies.

6. Add curtains to the bottom of your desktop to conceal more storage.

Don’t forget about all the space under your desk; you could put filing cabinets, baskets, boxes, bins, and so much more in all that space. However, all that stuff can start to look cluttered.

A simple solution is to add fabric, like a curtain, to cover everything up — including the computer cords!

This kick pleat fabric curtain panel is covering up drawers filled with with clothes, so this closet office is still working as a wardrobe! 

7. Remove the header from your closet to open up the space.

This will give you more access to vertical space and your closet office will look more like a nook and less like a closet. Then you could add more shelving up there and maximize your space even more.

8. Get creative with finding a desk solution for your closet office.

It’s possible (and easy) to create a large work surface in a small area. Try a MDF board or sheet of plywood, two cabinets topped by a desk top, or a charming, tiny desk.

There are so many different ways to incorporate a desk in your closet office; the best desk for you depends on how you want to use your office.

If you need a large desk that spans the entire width of the closet, built-in desks are the way to go. Add supports along all the walls and top it off with a piece of MDF or plywood. Here’s a good tutorial on how to do that.

And here’s a nice example of this type of closet office desk.

For a less permanent desk solution, try topping two file cabinets with a piece of MDF or plywood.

A really charming way to include a desk in your closet office is to use a small desk that fits in your closet.

9. Add cabinets for extra concealed storage.

Many closet offices include shelves on the main wall, but another idea to consider is to use cabinets instead. They can hold a lot more and you can close the doors anytime to cover up all the stuff. Add pretty knobs and maybe a coat of paint to personalize it.

10. Think about providing access for your electronics when designing your closet office.

If you’re like most people, you’ll work on your laptop, computer, or sewing machine in your closet office. You might also want your craft machines, printer, or other electronics.

All these things need to be plugged in, so don’t forget about that important setup aspect when you’re building your closet office. You could install an outlet right inside the closet for the most convenience – here’s a tutorial on how to do that – or hire an electrician to do that for you.

Also, you might want to drill a hole on the top of your desk to feed through your electrical outlets.

11. Style it BIG with on trend wallpaper

Just because it’s a small closet doesn’t mean it can’t have big style. Go bold with a trendy wallpaper. It will likely only take one roll, so this small closet office style is a fun place to try a wallpaper accent wall that might be too costly in a larger area.

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