by Julie Carlson - July 13, 2022

15 Favorites: The Niche Workspace

These ingenious workspaces are slotted into closets, corners, even under the stairs. Here, 15 favorites from our archives.

Defoe Road: Study — Above: This floating desk and shelving were designed by Paper House Projects in the UK. See the rest of the home here. Photograph by Rory Gardiner.

Larissa Johnston Architects Birch Plywood Desk On Landing, Rory Gardiner Photo — Above: Larissa Johnston Architects situated an office nook on the half landing of a stairwell. See A London Townhouse Designed to Catch the Light. Photograph by Rory Gardiner.

A workspace tucked next to a stairwell by Australia-based Rob Kennon Architects. Photograph by Derek Swalwell. — Above: A workspace tucked next to a stairwell by Australia-based Rob Kennon Architects. Photograph by Derek Swalwell.

Desk Under Stairs of Jennifer Hanlin's Cobble Hill Loft — Above: The stairs in architect Jennifer Hanlin‘s daughter’s lofted bedroom incorporate drawers as well as a niche for a desk. See An Eclectic Apartment Inspired by Japanese Storage Chests in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. Photograph by Bruce Buck.

Dwell Desk Niche — Above: A tiny workspace in a 500-square-foot trailer owned by Los Angeles art agent Sofie Howard, via Dwell. Photograph by Spencer Lowell.

Altadena Modern Ranch: Foyer to Living Room — Above: A built-in desk in an entryway designed by Arte Berry Cooke Design. Photograph by Kari Wilton.

Built-in desk in London kitchen alcove designed by Mark Lewis. Rory Gardiner photo. — Above: Interior designer Mark Lewis used an existing alcove in the back of a kitchen to create a built-in desk and shelves made from scaffolding planks. See Kitchen of the Week: A Family Gathering Spot in a London Victorian. Photograph by Rory Gardiner.

Pale Wood White Desk Niche — Above: A minimal work area in a remodel by Czech firm Oooox.

Light to a Brooklyn Brownstone: Everyone needs a craft station and place to hide your papers! — Above: Architect Sonya Lee designed a small crafting station to be tucked behind custom quarter-sawn white oak pantry doors. Photograph by Mark Wickens.

White Niche Dark Desk Niche — Above: A couple of shelves inserted in an unused corner create an instant workspace in a Stockholm apartment, via My Scandinavian Home. Photograph by Emily Laye.

Closet Desk Niche — Above: A desk tucked into a closet, via Mi Casa.

An under-the-stairs workspace from a project by Oliver Freundlich, in Brooklyn. (See the rest of the duplex at The Ultimate Starter Apartment, Cobble Hill Edition.) Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista. — Above: An under-the-stairs workspace from a project by Oliver Freundlich, in Brooklyn. (See the rest of the duplex at The Ultimate Starter Apartment, Cobble Hill Edition.) Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista.

Danish Apartment Window Desk Niche — Above: A window desk in an apartment in Denmark via Lowe Home.

In Dagmar Daley and Zak Conway’s San Francisco Victorian, a shelving unit of their own design features a sliding panel to conceal the desk area. See more of the design at The Disappearing Home Office. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista. — Above: In Dagmar Daley and Zak Conway’s San Francisco Victorian, a shelving unit of their own design features a sliding panel to conceal the desk area. See more of the design at The Disappearing Home Office. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista.

Wine Country Farmhouse – Master Suite Loft: 03 Wine Country Farm House - View Towards Desk — Above: A master bedroom designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson features an ensuite open bathroom. Here, just beyond the sink is a desk nestled under the eaves. See the rest of the bath here. Photograph by Matthew Millman.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on March 15, 2014, as part of our Working It issue.

Looking for ingenious solutions for tight quarters? See our Image Gallery and our archive of Small-Space Living posts. In addition, see these posts on home office storage and organization:

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