How to Transform a Closet into an Office

Think you don't have enough space for a home office? With a little time and a few low-cost finds, we transformed a cluttered two-by-six-foot closet into this functional workspace blooming with inspiration.

Wallpaper
Our first, and most important, move: covering the walls in a lush botanical print that takes this space from closet to destination. (grahambrown.com)

Chair
This wicker-and-metal design combines feminine style with practical function: Thanks to casters and an adjustable seat, it slides easily under the desk when not in use. (ikea.com)

Maximize every square inch with smart storage solutions, so a closed-door disaster becomes a sweet space worth showcasing.

Shelves
Avoid the visual clutter of brackets and other clunky hardware with floating planks; they don't overwhelm the tiny room — or obscure too much of the gorgeous wallpaper! (10¼"W x 43¼"L; ikea.com)

A dainty chandelier delivers more elegance than the usual overhead fixtures, while a desk lamp offers practical task lighting. (Chandelier; mauradaniel.com. Lamp; pbteen.com)

Why buy humdrum office supplies when storage boxes come in pretty prints, and you can use almost any vessel (cups, vases, trophies) to corral pencils, paper clips, and the like? (Boxes; indiarose.com. Trophy; shoptwine.com)

Provide a soft spot for bare feet — and a bit of personality to the adjacent hallway — with a cheerful floor covering. (4'W x 6'L; dashandalbert.com)

To keep odds and ends from hogging your desktop, take advantage of unused space on the inside of the closet's doors.

• Cut pegboard (homedepot.com) and cork (shop.hobbylobby.com) to your desired dimensions.
• Screw the pegboard and cork into place, and frame with wood trim (homedepot.com).
• The final step: Paint the inner doors.

Start with two standard metal file cabinets. (2611/16"H x 14¼"W x 18"D; staples.com)

Attach a wheeled stand to the base of each cabinet to make moving your desk a breeze. (staples.com)

Brighten up your mobile file cabinets with long-wearing indoor/outdoor spray paint. (Krylon's Catalina Mist; buyaurapaint.com)

Position a ready-made melamine desktop on the two file cabinets, and voilà — you're ready to roll. (containerstore.com)