When we think of a traditional home office, we might think of a room in the corner of the house full of heavy wood furniture and book-filled shelves. A lone desk lamp is likely perched atop a large desk, and a window is there almost as an after-thought.

If this is your idea of a home office, I have good news for you – those days are long gone! Home offices can be (and, to the extent possible, should be) bright, cheerful, stylish, and functional all at once.

The thing is, home offices today come in every shape, size, and style. Some are separate rooms, some are in corners of other rooms, some home offices are are eked out of hallway space. Whatever the home situation you find yourself in, you can always find a way to create a home office space that’s both stylish and useful. After all, the most important thing about a home office is its ability to let you get your work done.

Carving out a small space in your home – a nook or a corner anywhere, really – and converting that space into a polished eye-catching and functional home office is rewarding. This home office nook incorporates white painted cabinetry and drawers, mouldings, and trims for a chic, formal style.

Efficient and pertinent office supplies storage is a must. Having on-hand the things that make your ability to do work easier and faster is key. I love the wall-mounted desk in the photo above, for example. It’s full of repurposed and upcycled items that serve double-duty as office supply holders and organizers.

If you’re short on space but your office needs are more involved than, say, a rotating pen-holder, here’s another idea (above). This closeable wall-mount desk can hide your supplies when the work is done, it takes up minimal visual space, and because it’s legless, it would be easy to clean around.

Or, if not wall-mounted, your small home office can be just as unobtrusive as a desk slid to the corner of a room. The vintage-industrial vibe of the home office space here (converted from an old warehouse) is ideal for a mid-century modern desk and chair, and distractions are kept to a minimum.

How about squeezing a workable office out of a closet and table? This feminine setup does just that. Using a nearby closet for office equipment and storage, a person’s inspiration can flow freely while sitting at a chic office space complete with Eames-inspired pedestal table in a rolling egg chair. Disco, anyone?

Not all homes have ideal home office setups, of course. A big part of fun (and challenge) is finding ways to incorporate a usable home office into the space you do have. This photo may not translate into your own space, but don’t you find it terribly inspiring nonetheless?

Picture sources: 1, 2, 3, 4and5.