An awkward corner can stick out like a sore thumb, drawing eyeballs away from the central elements of your home. But it doesn’t take much to turn an odd nook from awkward to awesome, especially when it comes to ideas for a charming work corner. A shoebox workspace can be a welcome addition to any home, serving as a slice of office indulgence for office-goers, freelancers and remote collaborators in equal measure.

Create an under-stairs office triangle

If you have a staircase that is flanked by a wall on one side, you can turn the space underneath into a cozy cubbyhole. Line slim wooden shelves along the top half of the wall and install a desk that hugs the entire length of your wall. Create handy storage below your desk and add an elegant chair that can swivel around to serve as extra seating for guests. It’s important to keep your palette consistent with the surrounding living area to ensure a seamless decor style.

Notice how the ebony-and-ivory design in this home extends from the staircase right into the under-stairs office triangle. The oak-toned floor and spotless white floor skirting also echo the color scheme.

Add a transitional corner

The beauty of a transitional corner is that it can don various hats: it can work as a worktop on weekdays, as a mantel on weekends and as a breakaway coffee niche throughout the week.

Sandwich a work zone

This bijou office is characterized by a single wooden desk that can also work as an open shelf for storage or display. The space is minimalist yet hardworking, promising a role change the moment you swing your laptop away, much like the transitional corner featured earlier.

Here is another good example of how a work space can be carved between a column and a wall. 

Cut a floating desktop

An awkward corner by the window can make for a perfect mini office, because you’re bound to get a fair amount of light streaming in.

Craft an office alcove

Celebrate every corner of your home and gift yourself a little more room within your existing space.