Don’t add too many extra accessories – keep your work space as clear as possible or you might find it cluttered or distracting. Take a recent office I created inside a client’s 1920s Los Angeles studio apartment. One main room converting closet to office held the bed, lounge chairs, dressers, bookcase and TV cabinet. Fitting in all these pieces of furniture was no small feat, and we were left no space for a desk — and all the things that go along with working from home.

If you put your holes next to the level line, they will be hidden by the final desk. Okay, I start by knocking on the wall to figure out approximately where a stud is, then confirming it with a nail until I locate the stud. I also love that I have walls on either side of my desk. I was afraid I would be claustrophobic at first, but instead I love those little walls.

Step Three: Choose Your Desk

As I looked a little closer I realized that this space could be something pretty cool. This office space deserves the same treatment you’d give any other desk — you may just have to get a bit more creative. You’ll need to figure out where to plug in your computer, printer, and any other electronics you need. It’s unlikely there is an outlet in your closet, but there may be one on the wall outside within reach.

While the wall is drying, cut and paint the 1×8 pine board to serve as a floating shelf at the top of the board & batten. You should already have the measurement of the longest wall from hanging the horizontal board, but don’t forget to account for the thickness of the lattice moulding. If you’re using your preexisting wall color, this will mainly just be touching up where you filled in the holes. If you’re painting with a completely different wall color, you will want to measure off and just paint the top portion of your closet with the new lighter color. Your cloffice should be a space you enjoy being in, so decorate it with colors, patterns, and accessories you love.

Did you make this project?

When I first took over our old nursery, I knew immediately I wanted to build a desk in a closet in this room. In addition to how we installed the DIY board & batten and floating desk, I wanted to share some of the details and life hacks we used to make this space pretty and functional. To cut, place your butcher block on 2-3 saw horses and measure where you need to cut. To make sure you get a straight cut, take a scrap piece of wood and level and clamp it along your butcher block as a guide. Using a circular saw, carefully cut the butcher block down to size. Remote work has become the new normal for many, and home offices are now in high demand.

• Since the lattice moulding bears no weight, it is not important that it be nailed into studs, so just attach it with a enough nails so that it feels secure.
• I did this years ago, but used an old solid core door for the desktop.
• Give the spot a good cleaning, then think about how you want the space to function.
• A darker shade like navy blue contrasts beautifully with white and natural wood trim and makes the area appear deeper than it actually is.
• Monitor mounts are incredibly affordable, and free up precious space, allowing you to spread out your notebooks and paperwork.
• Just because you’re working out of a closet doesn’t mean that your new office space has to look like, well, a utility closet.

Since the desktop will be very heavy, you will need to attach the supports directly into the studs. Using your stud finder, find and mark all studs slightly above where you will hang the supports. Once you have your moulding cut down to size, you are ready to hang! Have one person hold the board level and in place, while the other uses the brad nailer to attach it to the wall. Since the lattice moulding bears no weight, it is not important that it be nailed into studs, so just attach it with a enough nails so that it feels secure.