Working From Home? Turn Your Walk-In Closet Into An Office

Custom-designed kids’ closets and workspaces were in high demand last year. Now in 2021, the at-home office is getting a bit of a makeover. Many individuals working from home are embracing the fact that having a custom-built home office is a good addition to their lifestyle.

Even after returning to work in the office, there is a good chance that working remotely at least a few times a week will be a part of the new normal. Because more people are home, sometimes finding that extra room may be more difficult these days compared to over a year ago. For many, extra bedrooms that may have been a perfect home office are now being inhabited by other family members.

Since not everyone has enough rooms or empty closets, a great option is to combine the walk-in closet and office space. With some creativity and planning, these walk-in closet offices can be transformed into a functional and productive private working space.

Making the Most Of Your Walk-In Closet Space

As the co-owner of My Custom Closet, I was at first taken aback by an article I read on the 10 Design Flaws in the Average Home. Too much storage is a design flaw? Of course, I had to read on.

Too Much Storage

Walk-in closets may bolster images of success and comfort, but having all of that stuff around can take away from creating a haven in your home. Too little or too much storage clutters lives. If you have too much storage space, you might fill it with more clutter, but if you don’t have enough, you may not have room for a growing family.

Mark P. Sexton of Krueck + Sexton Architects in Chicago, Ill., says that he and many design professionals think that the biggest design flaw in the average home is closets.  “The American walk-in closet is an incredible waste of space. It is the biggest waste of space, but people like it,” he says, “I’m all for storage, but it should be flexible. It is more efficient, beautiful and flexible-to-use cabinets, where the walking space is used for circulating rather than segregating closet contents.”

As Sexton summarizes, “Great design, you get more with less.”

This all made sense to me as I have been amazed at how the original design of the master closets in many of our clients’ homes no longer meets their needs. A walk-in closet that is flexible, not just for storage, but as a space to walk around in and utilize as a home office is a perfect alternative! 

Before you begin to knock out the wall of your home to create a brand new room for that home office, see if you can save yourself some money. Imagine the possibilities of utilizing a walk-in closet (redesigned and muti-functional) or a master bedroom suite/bonus room for your new executive office suite.

With good design, cabinet doors, floor-to-ceiling shelving, and accessories, you can consolidate your wardrobe into dedicated closet spaces and make room for a desk and chair. You can create a cozy, quiet nook to work in while your clothes are neatly tucked away. 

See some examples of closet office layouts below:

Last fall, we utilized this small space in a Gladwyn home to create a study and office space. It was perfect for the whole family juggling virtual school and work from home. 

Designing a walk-in closet office is more like designing a small room instead of a little office nook. Often, these big spaces have enough room to incorporate your office and your clothing storage together.

It takes a bit of planning to pull this off, but it’s worth the effort. You don’t want to trip over your gym shoes every time you work from home or end up feeling smothered, wedged between your partner’s business suits and your winter coats.

If you believe you are a candidate for a walk-in closet office space, give My Custom Closet a call to schedule your free consultation.