Top 5 home office ideas

Put together an instant office wherever you want - all it takes is a small desk, a stool and a lamp. This desk will easily masquerade as a console when not in use, and the quirky side storage cylinder and starburst mirror keep the space looking like part of your home.

Nordic desk, £495, Kartell storage, £95, cow hide rug, £265, antique brass lamp, £199, cork stool, £220, all Graham & Green (grahamandgreen.co.uk)

Take over the corner of a room. This desk features neat drawers for all your filing, and the neutral colour scheme helps create a calm, efficient atmosphere.

3 drawer filing unit, £450, corner desk top, £250, 3 drawer desk unit, £450, and desk extension, £250, all Laura Ashley (lauraashley.com)

Kit out an empty alcove with a neat desk and chair. This creates a quiet space without encroaching on your rooms.

Pinehurst bureau, £259, and bespoke Calligaris chair, both Fishpools (fishpools.co.uk) 

Instead of a cupboard under the stairs, why not go one step further and turn it into an office? With a bit of planning, there's usually enough space for a desk, chair and adequate storage, too.

Galant desk, £105, Malkolm chair, £55, Galant drawer unit, £130, Nyfors lamp, £40, and Persisk belutch rug, £250, all Ikea (ikea.com)

A small desk and chair is perfect for the odd day of working from home. Make the space feel more focused by hanging a collection of framed prints above it.

Conran Hornby desk, £499, Conran Mackenzie chair, £249, newspaper print wall art, £25, love compass wall art, £25, Conran multi-butterfly wall art, £35, bees wall art, £19.50, must dash wall art, £19.50, beehive wall art, £25, and zebra wall art, £19.50, all Marks & Spencer (marksandspencer.com)