Workspace of the Week: Multi-functioning clothing and office closet

This week’s Workspace of the Week is Willy Volk’s closet office:

I want to start by saying that I know this isn’t the most uncluttered office we’ve ever featured, but it is unusually practical and deserves to be highlighted. What intrigues me the most about this space is that it’s an office in a closet — a closet that is still being used to hold clothes. The space between the two walls of rods is used to its fullest potential with the storage bins, shelf, and office desk. It even looks like there are computer speakers hanging from the ceiling. The curtains at the door to the closet help the entire space disappear from the room when not in use. It’s a great use of space, and I’m thankful Willy Volk shared this office with us. (The three pull-out pictures are pretty fun, too.)

Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.

Posted by Erin on Dec 12, 2008 | Comments

9 comments posted

  1. Posted by becoming minimalist - 12/12/2008

    the gentleman’s facial expression says it all for me. not sure i could get any work done in that environment. but it is creative and if it works for him…

  2. Posted by Sue - 12/12/2008

    Ditto on the stressed look on his face. I’d be buggy in a hour in such a closed in space!

  3. Posted by Mo - 12/12/2008

    I like the undershelf lights, they appear to have some sort of shade, so that the light is bouncing off the shelf. Does anyone know where to get those or something like them?

  4. Posted by Willy - 12/12/2008

    HA! I can’t believe you posted my photo here. I’m so proud.

    A few clarifications:
    * Our house is 660 square feet, and there’s no room for a formal “office.” This is the closet in our second bedroom.

    * Despite the small size, this office is very convenient. I can reach everything from where I sit. And when I close the curtains, it disappears from view.

    * The speakers are hanging, upside-down, from the top shelf in my closet (which hold more clothes, some camera gear, and other miscellany).

    * The undershelf lights are from Ikea (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/cata.....s/30027404). The folding desk my computer sits on is also from Ikea.

    * I work from home, and I’m disappointed with the antique chair I use. If anyone has any advice for a light-weight, comfortable chair (that minimizes the scuff marks on our wood floors), I’d be delighted! Please help me!!

    (NOTE: I took this picture as a joke. My work isn’t really that stressful.)

  5. Posted by Victor Agreda Jr - 12/12/2008

    What’s amazing is that Willy gets more done in that closet than anyone else I know who works in a closet. Or corner office, for that matter!

  6. Posted by Jonathon - 12/12/2008

    Unlike Willy I work sprawled out across the living room (much to the dismay of my wife) – and despite the extra room that’s pretty much my standard working expression. heh.

  7. Posted by na0 - 12/13/2008

    if it works for him, that’s great.
    but i would seriously feel claustrophobic sitting at a desk in a closet.

  8. Posted by Robin - 12/14/2009

    Back in college I moved my dorm room desk into my closet. I LOVED being able to close the curtain on work, especially in such cramped quarters.

  9. Posted by Office in a Closet: Inspiration for Small Apartments | Real Savvy Real Estate - 03/23/2010

    [...] many people do, including the guy in the photo above (from Unclutterer), who not only uses his closet as a workspace–he stores clothes in there, too! The lady below [...]

Subscribe to this entry's comments

Comments are closed for this entry.