5 ideas for creating a 'home office corner' in a small space that feels airy, looks good and is comfortable all day

Working from home has become a main way of life for many people. But for those with a small house or condo, carving out a workspace that looks good without making the home feel cramped can sound difficult. Here are some great ideas for turning a small space into an airy, fully functional workspace that boosts your productivity.

1. Make use of vertical space

When floor space is limited, use the walls instead. Floating shelves or a pegboard for hanging work items such as headphones, stationery and document boxes greatly reduce clutter on the desk. A wall-mounted folding desk is also an excellent choice for small rooms, because you can fold it away and get your space back as soon as you finish.

2. Choose multi-functional, visually light furniture

Avoid large, solid pieces of furniture. Choose a desk with open metal legs, or one with built-in shelving. For your chair, although ergonomic chairs are fairly large, choose one with a mesh back in a light colour so the workspace looks light and doesn't feel cramped.

3. Key checklist before you set up your workspace

So your workspace really works and serves you in the long term, follow this simple checklist before you start buying:

• Measure the space carefully: check the width, depth and height so you can choose a desk and chair that open, close or slide in and out without getting stuck
• Plan the lighting: set up your workspace where it gets natural light, or fit a dimmable desk lamp to reduce eye strain
• Organise the cables: use cable trays or boxes that hide extension leads, for tidiness and to prevent tripping over cables

Structural and electrical precautions

The one thing you must not overlook is safety. If you want to drill into a wall to fix a folding desk or heavy shelves, check the wall type first (e.g. AAC block or precast walls) and use anchors rated for the load. Never drill or chisel deeply into precast walls. And if you need to move sockets or run new wiring to suit the workspace, always call a qualified electrician, to prevent short circuits and keep the structure of the house safe.