1. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Deck out your new workspace using the same decor style as the rest of the room.

There is no rule that your study setup needs to be all business. Follow the lead of this maximalist living space and design an equally colorful desk area. A pair of cobalt blue filing cabinets and a matching table lamp complement the adjacent bright yellow accent wall and sofas. Patterned wallpaper adds loads of visual interest without looking too busy, while black accents punctuate the swanky alcove. A gallery wall, showcasing all the shades of the rainbow, ties the whole look together. 

Shop the Room: GLADHÖJDEN Sit/Stand Desk, FLINTAN Office Chair, HELMER Drawer Unit, FLOTTILJ Lamp

2. Keep things simple by sticking to a minimal color palette.

While bright hues and punchy patterns can be fun, there is something to be said for a simpler palette — especially when it comes to a study space. We love the nearly all-white scheme spotted in this cozy setup — the desk and filing cabinet almost blend into the white wall, making the area feel more open and spacious. Mint green accents and verdant plants offer plenty of color to keep the living area from looking boring, while wood elements and a cowhide rug add organic texture and a dash of warmth.

Shop the Room: INGATORP Drop Leaf Table, HELMER Drawer Unit, FORSÅ Work Lamp, BLECKBERGET Swivel Chair

3. Save valuable space by opting for a desk/storage combination.

Unlike home offices or private rooms, multipurpose areas don’t have the luxury of space. That doesn’t mean you’re out of luck when it comes to carving out a place for your workstation, it just means that you need to be mindful about the pieces you add to the room. For instance, instead of a grand double pedestal desk and a wall of built-ins, consider something a bit smaller, that will combine the best of both worlds. In this setup, a streamlined desk is attached to a bookcase resulting in a flat surface for working plus plenty of storage. Not only does the convenient combination take up a minimal amount of space, but the simple design won’t clash with the existing decor. It’s a win-win!

Shop the Room: KALLAX/LAGKAPTEN Desk, ELDBERGET / MALSKÄR Swivel Chair, KYRRE Stools, TERTIAL Work Lamp

4. Make it moveable with casters.

Living rooms and common areas tend to host a variety of events from game nights to movie marathons to workout classes to study sessions. Needless to say, it would be nice if the furniture could be quickly and easily rearranged. Well, we have good news: It can. As demonstrated in this colorful example, the filing cabinets, desk, and chair all have casters so this study zone can be wheeled out of the way at a moment’s notice without even breaking a sweat. 

Shop the Room: LINNMON/KRILLE Desk, ÖRFJÄLL Swivel Chair, LIXHULT Cabinet, HELMER Drawer Unit

5. Forget the walls, position your desk behind the sofa.

We said it before and we’ll say it again, multipurpose rooms tend to be somewhat spatially challenged. Needless to say, it can be hard to find any available wall space for your desk to call home. In that case, take note of this setup and position your workspace behind the sofa instead. A petite design free of fussy details, like the one used here, won’t take up too much space and when not in use, it will look like a sofa back console table. Just make sure to keep the desktop clutter to a minimum. 

Shop the Room: LISABO Desk, HATTEFJÄLL Office Chair, FORSÅ Work Lamp, RÅSKOG Utility Cart

6. Squeeze in where you can fit in.

In a multipurpose room, even the tiniest sliver of open space can be put to use. But don’t just take our word for it — this setup is picture-perfect proof. Here, a pair of cabinets frame a tiny opening just big enough for a desk and a chair. A picture ledge and a wall lamp complete the scene and make the arrangement look purposeful and oh-so-charming. And bonus: The cabinets on either side offer plenty of storage space. 

Shop the Room: LILLÅSEN Desk, BILLY / OXBERG Bookcases, LÅNGFJÄLL Office Chair, MÅLERÅS Picture Ledge

7. Draw the focus somewhere else.

If you’re considering adding a workspace to your multipurpose room, but don’t want it to stand out like a sore thumb, we have the perfect solution. While you can’t hide a desk and cabinets, you can draw attention elsewhere. In the case of this jewel-toned setup, the desk, chair, stool, and utility cart are all white allowing the decadent teal walls and ceiling to be the stars of the show. The navy-colored filing cabinets almost disappear into the blue-green backdrop while the leafy foliage brings additional color and organic texture. 

Shop the Room: SKARSTA Desk, LIDKULLEN Stool, BROR Utility Cart, MELLÖSA Picture Ledge, LÅNGFJÄLL Office Chair, NYMÅNE Work/Wall Lamp, ALEX Drawer Unit

8. Double up on desk space.

You don’t need a large bulky desk to have a surface big enough to spread out. Take a page from this design playbook and put two smaller desks side-by-side. The arrangement gives the appearance of one long piece of furniture, doubling the desktop and drawer space. Now you can use your laptop without having to move any accessories. Complete the scene with wall shelving above and, if you have room to spare, a couple of tall filing cabinets.

Shop the Room: ALEX Desk, LÅNGFJÄLL Office Chair, ALEX Drawer Unit, NYMÅNE Wall Lamp

9. Keep it small.

If you have room next to your bed for a standard-sized nightstand, then you probably have enough space for this tiny setup. Want to know for sure? Use IKEA Kreativ to scan your bedroom and find the best place to position a petite desk and sculptural chair. And even though this workspace is small, it packs quite the punch style-wise. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that you can literally roll right into bed after pulling an all-night study session. 

Shop the Room: NORDKISA Dressing Table, FJÄLLBERGET Conference Chair, TRANHULT Shelf/SANDSHULT Brackets

Now that we’ve sufficiently whet your appetite, use IKEA Kreativ to give your own multipurpose space a stylish makeover.