Home office upgrade: decorate a workspace in an alcove

With the rise of remote work, many are eager to invest in a functional and ergonomic workspace at home. If a separate office isn't available, you can dedicate a space for work, such as an alcove. These tips will help you turn your apartment's alcove into a cozy home office.

Tired of typing away on your laptop in the corner of the sofa or at a kitchen table that's too low, but unsure where to set up a proper workstation in your home? Even if you don’t have a dedicated room for a home office, chances are there's a suitable corner or area in your apartment that can be reserved for remote work - like an alcove.

In the homes at Heittoniitynkuja 5 and Heittoniitynkuja 7 in Hervantajärvi, Tampere, completed in early 2023, there are various alcoves of different shapes and sizes, perfect for creating cozy workspaces.

1. A dedicated space for work and hobbies

In a generously sized alcove, there's room not only for a wide desk but also for a dedicated space for your hobbies—whether you're a crafts enthusiast, a budding artist, or a model builder. The area invites you to stay and enjoy your time even after the workday, with hobby supplies like painting materials readily available and attractively displayed.

If you're setting up your workspace in an alcove, pay special attention to lighting. Since a windowless space receives less natural light than the rest of the apartment, it's a good idea to invest in both a ceiling light and a quality desk lamp to ensure optimal working conditions at any time of day.

You can easily add vibrancy to the alcove with colors.

Hang a favorite painting or a nice poster on the wall, or if you have permission from your landlord, paint an accent wall in a vibrant and inspiring color to brighten up the space.

If you live in a SATOhome, explore our interior color palette, where you'll find a range of stylish paint shades. In the pictured decor, color is added not only through the walls and artwork but also with a large rug that enhances the ambiance, softens the acoustics, and helps define the alcove as its own distinct space.

2. Compact workspace for a small home

Placing a workspace in an alcove can be an effective solution even in a studio apartment. In this apartment in Tampere, a high-quality sofa bed serves as both a sofa and a bed, freeing up the alcove for a home office.

In a small apartment, it's best to design the alcove so that it seamlessly blends with the rest of the home's style and color scheme. This ensures that the overall look of the apartment remains cohesive and not chaotic.

You'll succeed by choosing serene, neutral shades for your workspace or matching the colors used elsewhere in the room. For example, in the pictured home, the black office chair complements the kitchen chairs in both color and design, while the wooden desk blends well with other wooden furniture and decor items.

Consider adding one or more houseplants to your workspace, even if you're not a green thumb. Plants create a cozy and tranquil atmosphere, and they also help purify the air, supporting your well-being and energy levels. Just be sure to select a plant that thrives in the alcove's lighting conditions. Good options for a shaded area include the snake plant and the low-maintenance peace lily.

When setting up a home office in a small and open space, pay close attention to storage solutions.

By keeping cords and small items out of sight after work, you maintain a tidy and pleasant appearance in your home. For a compact home office, you can create storage space by choosing a desk with drawers or by mounting a few open shelves on the wall. However, make sure to check if you are allowed to make holes in the walls of your rental home before you start. If not, there are alternative solutions available, such as floor-to-ceiling shelving units and adhesive hooks for lighter items.

Now, you are ready to start decorating your home office!

Remember these tips when decorating a workspace in an alcove:

• Decorate the alcove to match the home's overall style and color scheme.
• Ensure adequate lighting.
• Add vibrancy with colors and plants suitable for the space.
• Pay attention to storage solutions to keep the workspace tidy.