In Chelsea, Murray Hill, Midtown and the Financial District, many apartments are studios and one-bedrooms with no spare room. A good built-in desk makes work possible without taking over the home.
01The living room desk
A built-in desk along one living room wall, with closed cabinets above and below, looks like part of the room. Doors that close over the shelves hide work at the end of the day.
02Closet offices
A reach-in closet at least 30 inches deep can become a desk nook with power and light. See small office ideas.
03Fold-away desks
Where space is very tight, a fold-down secretary desk closes flat.
04Building rules
Condo and co-op buildings usually require insurance certificates and set work hours; FiDi conversions and postwar buildings may have rules about anchoring to concrete.
05Calls from home
Light from the front and a calm background help on video; see video call lighting.
See Manhattan home offices, plan in the Home Office Worx designer, or book a free design visit.