
Businesses are reopening, but many employers are rethinking the whole “8-5 in the office” gig. Several companies have given their employees more flexible work arrangements and seen similar if not better performance.
You may be jumping for joy at the thought of working from home, but now you’ve got to set up a workspace.
Not everyone has the budget to build out a home office. Even the ones that do (maybe they get a stipend) may not have the space available. Fortunately, we have some ideas for makeshift desks. Read on.
1. Breakfast Tray
Enjoy breakfast in bed? How about working in bed? You can do both when working from home — and a breakfast tray makes that even easier. You can stick your legs under the breakfast tray when you’re sitting/lying on your bed for optimal comfort and minimal neck/back strain.

Some breakfast trays, such as this one by SONGMICS, are adjustable. Such adjustability allows you to further customize the angle for your needs.
2. Folding Desk
Folding desks are excellent options if space is at a premium. Set up takes seconds and they’re lightweight, making it easy to set up shop anywhere around the house. When you’re done for the day, storing them away is as easy as folding them up and, well, storing them away.
Depending on the size, you can use them for things other than work, too.
If you want a nice folding desk with extra storage a level up, check out this JIWU folding desk.
3. Sofa Arm Tray
Sofa arm trays like this bamboo one might be small, but they’re extremely effective at helping you maximize your space — especially where a home office is involved. They take up no space, yet offer you a spot to place your laptop and morning coffee.

Best of all, they can serve other purposes, too. If you’re watching a movie and your coffee table’s out of reach, you can keep your drink close to you with the arm tray. Or, you can put the remote on it so it doesn’t get lost in the couch.
Lastly, they’re easy to store, given their small size.
4. Wall-Mounted Desk
Yes, you can even turn your wall into your office space if you get creative. If you have a small space for your home office, a wall-mounted desk such as this one by Need can provide you ample desk space without crowding the room.

Smaller and simpler wall-mounted desks like that Need one fit snugly into corners as well, making even better use of your space.
5. Your Coffee Table
When all else fails, your coffee table isn’t a bad place to set up your workstation. Just make sure you don’t rely on it too often — all that bent over posture could wreak havoc on your body.
If you’ve got some budgetary room — maybe your office gave you a home office stipend — grab a lift top coffee table. This lift top coffee table has it all: a coffee table look, standing desk functionality (helps with posture), and plenty of storage under the lift top and in other cubbies. Really turns your living room into an office.
Get Creative
It’s fine if you don’t have space or budget for a traditional desk. As long as you get creative, you can make an office space work for your space and your work style
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