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How small is too small for adding on an office?

6 years ago

Does anyone have an office with doors that is 6.5x9.5 or around there? Is it worth enclosing the room at this size? What is the smallest you would consider?

Comments (25)

  • 6 years ago

    We are putting one in about that size in our basement for my husband. We are trying to utilize every square foot and he absolutely, positively needs an office with a legit door that closes, away from the kids. We might try to grab him an extra foot or two but he claims he only needs a big desk, his computers, and good cell reception. I would prefer to not work in a cave, but I am not him.

  • 6 years ago

    Google pocket office and pinterest and you'll find a lot of great ideas for various size spaces.

  • 6 years ago

    The size of the office and how it feels being in there is greatly impacted by whether or not it has a window. A very small room with a good view won't feel nearly as small. That size is certainly large enough to have a desk and storage, especially if it is built in and designed efficiently.

  • 6 years ago

    Hundreds of thousands of office workers function in 8 x 8 cubicles. And they would gladly trade the 2.25 sq.ft in difference to your husband's office for a door. For tech people in particular, it's all about what's on the screen.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    That's about the size of the craft room my SIL built in their basement garage for their two children when they were little. DD was very tired of Elmer's Glue all over her island on a daily basis!


    When DGS1 entered HS, he took over this space as his "office". Craft table left, his small Ikea desk/chair/computer arrived. It was heated by a small space heater in the winter. He also had a bookcase and he rigged up a rope hammock as well. No window but he sure enjoyed doing homework in the space - no distractions at all!.

  • 6 years ago

    It would have a window and french doors... it only needs a desk for a computer that's it!

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Desk and chair? That's all? No shelving, no storage cabinet, no filing cabinet, no anything else?

    You'd save a lot of money if you could work a desk and chair into another existing space somewhere in the plan.

    Is privacy and a door required?

  • 6 years ago

    Virgil, i mean that's all that is needed... we could do some shelves and storage above the desk, maybe a built in... but yes a door is needed for quiet as well for phone calls. We do no work at home so this would just be for those times any of us needs it for off hours.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Desks come in a wide range of sizes. A mid-range desk is 30" deep X 60" or 72" wide. A space at least 4-feet deep in front of the desk is need for a chair and access to the desk.


    Any other furniture or equipment, such as a printer, and/or storage, would increase the size of the space needed.

  • 6 years ago

    Do a search in Houzz photos for small or narrow offices. There are plenty of good examples of creating a good working space out of not much. As it happens, I have an office niche (no door) that is about 8 x 5. It holds a desk, a credenza for storage and a few very narrow shelves. More than adequate for us...

  • 6 years ago

    My office is slightly smaller than 9.5' x 9.5' and I have a 30" x 66" desk with a 24" x 48" return, 12" x 84" x 108" of bookshelves, and two people can work in that space comfortably.

  • 6 years ago

    I wish I could do an office that small, lol. Mine is 14 x 14. However, it actually could be more narrow. If I had mine to do over again, I think I'd make it 16 x 11. Maybe even 18 x 11. But me and spouse share office and we both have multiple computers and a home library.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    If the size makes it so you can not function the way you want to function it is too small.

  • 6 years ago

    Jmm1837... can you post a pic?!!

  • 6 years ago

    With a window and French doors I think you can make it work. There are lots of ways to get some storage in the room also. If you enclose it, I would use a glass door so you still get the light and feeling of openness.

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  • PRO
    6 years ago

    72x72 with a file on each corner, glass on painted wood top, lighting at front edge of cabinets behind light rail.

    Interior location with satin glass door. "Red" paper upscale flooring.



    I

  • 6 years ago

    Mine will be small with a sliding door to close off when on phone calls. It does have a window, which will help. It will also have a built-in desk & cabinetry. Only way to make a pocket office work, in my opinion. I visited a friend's pocket office & measured it off to make sure I knew the size that would work for me. Mine will be 8'x6'. So, yes, small. My current "desk" is in my kitchen and is not an office at all. I look forward to enjoying my "tiny" office when our new build is completed.

  • 6 years ago

    This size appeals to me so you'll have lots of space.

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  • 6 years ago

    i think air circulation and good lighting will be key - so a window, ceiling fan - air cleaner etc is a must - a small space is more tolerable if you dont feel like your suffocating

  • 6 years ago

    Because I am a very visual person, I would put the desk, chair, etc in the actual space. Then I would tack up to the ceiling bedsheets or plastic drop cloths to form the walls. Let him sit in there and work for an hour and see if it is suitable for his needs. The answer will be yes or no and you two can proceed from there.

  • 6 years ago

    I would also recommend that you make sure the office has strong AC. Computers can put off a lot of heat, particularly desktop models. Laser printers also put out a lot of heat.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I agree with remodeling1840 . Can you create a mock-up and live in it to get a real feel for the space?

    But overall, it depends on your goals. Is this a "I'm stoked to have a home office, of any size" type of space (an upgrade from having the desk in the corner of a different room?) or is the intention to create a space that you'd love using for a long time (i.e. give yourself the option to work from home?) FWIW in my current house, my office is an enclosed deck about 9x14 and when I bought it, I was stoked (and used it to work from home). Now that I'm remodeling, I am wanting a bigger space. Good luck!

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I suggest you make a list of all the things you need to do /all the things you need to store in your office. Only once you've analyzed your personal needs can you determine exactly what's "enough" for you.

    Personally, we're going to have less office space than you are proposing ... but my husband's retired, and I'm very near retirement, so our "office needs" are very small. Consider these things:

    - Do you want an office just off the kitchen /living area so you can "be part of things" ... or do you want a spot in a more remote /quieter part of the house?

    - Where will you store books? Files? Wrapping paper? Craft items? Other unique items?

    - Do you need a spot to recharge laptops, tablets, phones? Don't skimp on electrical outlets.

    - Do you need to be able to close a door so you can have quiet /make a phone call /listen to music? In a small space, do consider the door swing; this might be a place for a pocket door.

    - What type of lighting do you need? This is not a skimp item.

    - Air circulation can be difficult in a small space. Consider a ceiling fan or a spot for a small fan on a shelf.

  • 6 years ago

    My friends ‘ house has a small office ( approximately those dimensions ) in her home,it works for her , but she’s very organized, accumulates little clutter, in her 4500 square foot home ! works for her, but it does have a window.