Working from home becomes much easier when your workspace has somewhere for everything.
But in many Perth homes, a home office is not a large dedicated room. It might be a corner of a spare bedroom, a study nook, part of a living area or a small room that needs to perform more than one job.
That is where custom home office cabinets can make a real difference.
Instead of trying to fit standard desks, filing cabinets and bookshelves into a limited area, custom cabinetry can be designed around the exact dimensions of your room. The result is a workspace that uses available walls and corners more effectively while keeping everyday items organised.
At Gold Star Cabinets & Carpentry, we design and manufacture made-to-measure cabinetry from our Wangara workshop for homes across Perth.
Here are some practical ways to make a small home office work harder.
Why Custom Cabinetry Works Well in a Small Home Office
Small spaces leave little room for furniture that does not fit properly.
A freestanding desk might leave an unusable gap beside a wall. A standard bookshelf may stop well below the ceiling. Separate filing cabinets can take up valuable floor space.
Built-in home office cabinetry can instead be planned around:
- ✓ The exact width and height of the room
- ✓ Doors and windows
- ✓ Power points
- ✓ Computer and monitor requirements
- ✓ Printers and other equipment
- ✓ Files and paperwork
- ✓ Books and stationery
- ✓ Available wall and corner space
- ✓ Your preferred working position
This allows the desk and storage to work as one connected design rather than several pieces of furniture competing for a small amount of space.
1. Take Your Storage Up to the Ceiling
When floor space is limited, look upwards.
Floor-to-ceiling office cabinets can provide considerably more storage without requiring additional floor area.
Upper cabinets can be useful for items you do not need every day, while frequently used supplies can stay in drawers and shelves closer to the desk.
A combination of open and closed storage often works particularly well.
Open shelving can hold books and items you want within easy reach. Closed cabinets can hide paperwork, spare equipment and general office clutter.
The same principle is useful throughout smaller homes. Our custom wardrobes and built-in storage are also planned around the available wall dimensions rather than standard furniture sizes.
2. Build the Desk Into the Cabinetry
A separate desk is not always the best use of a small room.
A built-in home office desk can form part of the cabinetry itself.
For example, cabinetry can run along one wall with:
- ✓ Drawers underneath
- ✓ Overhead cupboards
- ✓ Open shelves
- ✓ A dedicated computer area
- ✓ Printer storage
- ✓ Filing space
Because everything is designed together, you avoid awkward gaps between individual pieces of furniture.
It can also give a small office a cleaner, more consistent appearance.
3. Make Better Use of Corners
Corners are often wasted in small rooms.
A custom L-shaped desk or corner cabinetry can turn this area into useful workspace.
One side might hold your computer and monitor, while the other provides room for paperwork, writing or additional equipment.
Storage can then continue above or below the work surface.
This is one of the main advantages of made-to-measure cabinetry. The design can respond to the room rather than forcing the room to accommodate standard furniture.
4. Combine Open Shelving With Closed Cabinets
Not everything in your office needs to be visible.
Too much open shelving can make a compact room look busy, particularly when it is filled with paperwork, cables and office supplies.
Consider using open shelving for things such as:
- ✓ Books
- ✓ Display pieces
- ✓ Frequently used folders
- ✓ Small plants
Then use closed cabinets and drawers for:
- ✓ Documents
- ✓ Chargers
- ✓ Spare stationery
- ✓ Printer supplies
- ✓ Technology
- ✓ Personal paperwork
This gives you easy access to everyday items while helping the office stay visually organised.
5. Give Your Printer a Proper Home
Printers can consume a surprising amount of desk space.
Rather than leaving a printer permanently on the main work surface, plan a dedicated printer shelf or cabinet.
Before finalising the cabinetry, consider the printer's dimensions as well as the space required to load paper, open trays and access cables.
If the printer is used frequently, it should still be easy to reach. The aim is to create storage that makes the office easier to use, rather than simply hiding equipment.
6. Plan Cable Management Before the Cabinets Are Built
A clean home office can quickly become messy when power cables, monitor leads and chargers are running across the desk.
Cable management is much easier to deal with during the cabinetry design stage.
Depending on the layout, your design may allow for cable openings, concealed cable routes and suitable access to existing power points.
Think about all the equipment you use before approving your design:
- ✓ Desktop computer or laptop
- ✓ Monitor or multiple monitors
- ✓ Phone charger
- ✓ Printer
- ✓ Speakers
- ✓ Desk lamp
- ✓ Internet equipment
- ✓ Other charging devices
Planning these requirements early can help keep cables away from the main work area and reduce unnecessary clutter.
WorkSafe WA also recommends keeping home workspaces clear of trip hazards such as electrical cords and ensuring the physical environment has appropriate lighting and electrical safety. You can read its working from home guidance when planning your workstation.
7. Use Drawers for Small Everyday Items
Deep cupboards are useful for larger items, but they are not always convenient for stationery and small office supplies.
Drawers can keep these items organised and close to where you work.
Depending on what you need to store, you could include separate areas for:
- ✓ Pens and stationery
- ✓ Documents
- ✓ Technology accessories
- ✓ Chargers
- ✓ Personal items
- ✓ Filing
Planning storage around what you actually own is more useful than simply adding as many cabinets as possible.
8. Consider a Floating Desk for Very Small Spaces
Sometimes a full bank of lower cabinetry can make a tiny workspace feel crowded.
A wall-mounted or floating desk can be another option.
Keeping more of the floor visible may give the room a less crowded appearance while overhead cabinetry provides the main storage.
This approach can work well for study nooks and compact work areas where you mainly use a laptop and do not need large amounts of equipment.
9. Turn an Unused Nook Into a Home Office
You do not necessarily need a spare bedroom to create a useful workspace.
An unused wall, alcove or nook may have enough room for a custom desk with shelving and cabinets.
Possible locations include:
- ✓ A spare bedroom
- ✓ An alcove in a living area
- ✓ A wide hallway section
- ✓ A space beside existing cabinetry
- ✓ An underused corner
- ✓ A study nook in a new build
Custom cabinetry can be particularly useful here because the dimensions are often too specific for standard office furniture.
If you are already renovating other parts of your home, you can explore Gold Star's residential cabinetry services to plan cabinetry across multiple spaces.
10. Design a Home Office That Can Serve Two Purposes
A small Perth home may not have enough space for a room that is used only as an office.
The office might also need to function as a guest bedroom, study room or general storage area.
Custom cabinetry can help separate those functions.
For example, one wall can become a dedicated work zone with a built-in desk and overhead cabinets while the rest of the room remains available for another purpose.
Closed cabinetry is especially helpful in these spaces because work equipment can be put away when the room is being used for something else.
11. Do Not Forget Ergonomics
Storage matters, but your home office still needs to be comfortable to work in.
The position and dimensions of your work surface should be considered alongside your chair, monitor and equipment.
WorkSafe WA advises that workstation design should allow a comfortable upright position, with relaxed shoulders and appropriate space for movement. It also notes that workstation furniture and equipment may need to be adjustable for the individual using it.
See the WorkSafe WA office ergonomics guidance for more information.
When discussing your custom cabinetry, think about:
- ✓ How long you normally work at the desk
- ✓ Whether you use one or multiple screens
- ✓ Your chair dimensions
- ✓ Legroom below the desk
- ✓ Equipment placement
- ✓ Natural and artificial lighting
- ✓ Frequently used storage
A good-looking office is useful only if it also works comfortably for your everyday routine.
12. Match the Office Cabinetry to the Rest of Your Home
A home office does not need to look like a commercial workplace.
Cabinet colours, finishes, handles and detailing can be selected to complement nearby rooms.
This is particularly useful when the office is visible from a living area or forms part of an open-plan space.
You might continue similar cabinetry finishes from your kitchen or other built-in storage to create a more consistent look throughout the home.
Gold Star also designs custom kitchens , wardrobes, laundries, vanities and entertainment cabinetry, making it possible to coordinate cabinetry across different areas of a renovation or new build.
What Should You Plan Before Ordering Custom Home Office Cabinets?
Before speaking with a cabinet maker, make a simple list of what your office needs to accommodate.
Start with the equipment and items you currently use rather than choosing the cabinetry purely by appearance.
Consider:
- ✓ Number and size of monitors
- ✓ Laptop or desktop computer
- ✓ Printer dimensions
- ✓ Files and paperwork
- ✓ Books
- ✓ Stationery
- ✓ Internet equipment
- ✓ Power requirements
- ✓ Desk chair
- ✓ Items that should remain visible
- ✓ Items you want concealed
- ✓ Whether another person will use the workspace
It is also worth thinking ahead. If you may add another monitor, larger printer or additional storage later, discussing that during the design stage may prevent the workspace from becoming too small.
Custom Cabinets vs Freestanding Office Furniture
Freestanding furniture can work well when your needs are simple or when you need something that can be moved.
Custom cabinetry makes more sense when you want to use a particular wall, awkward corner or compact room efficiently.
With custom home office cabinetry, the desk, shelving, drawers and cupboards can all be designed as one system.
You can learn more about the broader differences in our guide to custom cabinetry vs flat-pack cabinets .
Create a Home Office That Fits Your Perth Home
A small workspace does not need to mean limited storage.
By using walls, corners and vertical space carefully, custom home office cabinets can give you a practical desk area while keeping paperwork, equipment and everyday office items organised.
The best layout will depend on your room, the way you work and what you need to store.
Gold Star Cabinets & Carpentry designs, manufactures and installs made-to-measure cabinetry for Perth homes from our Wangara workshop. We can help plan a home office that makes better use of your available space and complements the rest of your home.
Contact Gold Star Cabinets & CarpentryFrequently Asked Questions
Are custom cabinets worth it for a small home office?
Custom cabinetry can be particularly useful in a small office because the design can use the available wall width, height and corners rather than relying on standard furniture dimensions. It can also combine the desk and storage into one layout.
How can I add more storage to a small home office?
Consider using vertical space with overhead or floor-to-ceiling cabinets, adding drawers beneath the desk and combining open shelves with closed storage. The right solution depends on what you need to store and how often you use it.
Can a home office be built into a bedroom?
Yes. A custom desk and cabinetry can be designed for a suitable wall or nook within a bedroom. Closed cabinets can help keep work equipment organised when the office is not being used.
Can custom cabinetry hide office cables?
Cable access and management can be considered during the cabinetry design stage. The exact solution will depend on your equipment, cabinetry layout and existing power-point locations.
Can Gold Star Cabinets build custom home office cabinetry in Perth?
Gold Star Cabinets & Carpentry designs, manufactures and installs made-to-measure cabinetry for Perth homes. Home office storage can be planned around the available space, storage requirements and overall style of the room.
Where is Gold Star Cabinets located?
Gold Star Cabinets & Carpentry operates from 2/89 Motivation Drive, Wangara WA 6065 and provides custom cabinetry services across the Perth metropolitan area.
