Ideas · Home office
24 Space-Saving Desk Ideas for Small Apartments
Fold-down and Murphy desks, window desks, closet offices, mirror desks, C-tables and rolling returns for when you have no room for a full desk.
This guide has affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
If there's no room for a desk, there's usually still room for one that folds, hides or does another job. A window recess, a closet, a mirror or the wall itself can become a workstation.
Wall-mounted and Murphy-style desks need the right fixings and sometimes landlord permission; freestanding options work anywhere.
1. A Murphy desk with shelves above
A fold-down desk under open shelves gives you a workstation and display storage. Close it when work is over.
2. A cabinet desk in the living room
A Murphy-style cabinet desk closes the workday away. Check ventilation and close it only when clear.
3. A wall-mounted drop-leaf desk
Confirm the wall type, mount it as instructed, keep supplies on shelves and fold it after use.
4. A tambour desk
A rolling tambour front hides the workday without needing space for swinging doors.
5. A desk that turns back into a console
A shallow convertible console with hidden cable routing goes from desk to living-room furniture.
6. A closet desk with pocket doors
A shallow closet becomes a closed desk nook. Pocket doors slide away while you work.
7. A closet office
Fit a shallow desk, use the upper shelves, add a task light and close the doors after work.
8. Keep legroom in a shallow closet office
Reachable shelves, focused lighting, open knee space and a clear desktop make a closet desk usable every day.
9. Ergonomics in a closet desk
Screen at eye level, even task light, cables out one corner and a pull-out board for writing.
10. A desk in a window reveal
A shallow desk fitted into a window recess turns an awkward spot into a bright work nook.
11. A desk in a deep window bay
A shallow fitted top, low storage, a glare-softening blind and a movable lamp keep the light and the legroom.
12. Extend the window sill into a desk
A deep sill extended with a board becomes a laptop desk.
13. A corner desk with a curved front
A curved front puts depth in the center and tapers away from the walking path.
14. A desk that rolls out from under a bench
A slim desk on hidden casters pulls out from under a window bench and returns flush after work.
15. A rolling desk return
A slim rolling return pulls out sideways for paperwork and nests under the desk afterwards.
16. A rolling desk that nests under the table
In a dining nook, a desk that nests under the table rolls out for work. Clear it before meals.
17. One bench-height top for work and dressing
A long stable surface with a work end and a dressing end replaces a desk and a dresser top.
18. A wall mirror that folds out into a desk
A purpose-made fold-out unit is a mirror by day and a desk when opened. Verify the wall construction.
19. A swivel mirror desk
A rotating unit shows a mirror on one side and a laptop station on the other. Clear the surface before turning.
20. A flip-top vanity desk
A purpose-built flip top hides cosmetics and becomes a desk. Store cosmetics before work.
21. A swivel monitor bookshelf
A rotating bookshelf desk turns from book display to monitor. Manage cables through the movement.
22. Desk and bookcase at right angles
Set the desk perpendicular to the shelving so they read as one work zone. Keep upper shelves light.
23. A C-table laptop perch
A stable C-shaped table slides over the sofa seat for laptop work and stores beside it afterwards.
24. A C-table instead of a desk
When a desk won't fit, a C-shaped sofa table is enough for short work sessions. Check sofa clearance.
Before you buy anything
- Desks need about 24 inches (60 cm) of knee width and enough room to push the chair back.
- Check wall construction before mounting fold-down desks.
Questions people ask
What desk is best for a small space?
A wall-mounted fold-down desk, a Murphy cabinet desk, a shallow window desk or a closet office, depending on where you have room.
How do I make a closet office?
Remove the rail, fit a shallow desk at seated height, add shelves above and a task light, and close the doors after work.
