Short answer: Start with the wall, not the furniture. Our Themis desk is wall-mounted and measures 32.0 inches (81.3 cm) wide, 17.0 inches (43.1 cm) deep and 24.0 inches (61 cm) high, so it takes very little floor space. Add Themis shelf or cabinet modules of the same width for storage, and close the cabinet doors on the clutter when the workday ends.
Most small-space offices are not a room of their own. They are a corner that has to go back to being a living room or bedroom at 6 p.m. A modular wall system lets you size the setup to the space and change it later. This guide uses our published measurements, so you can plan with real numbers.
On This Page
- What should you plan before buying?
- How do Themis modules combine?
- Themis modules at a glance
- What are Themis modules made of?
- Three layouts using real modules
- How do you care for the setup?
- Our recommendation
- Explore our storage range
What should you plan before buying?
Measure the wall first, then decide what you need to reach from your chair. The points below are general planning advice, not product specifications.
- Desk height: many people are comfortable with a work surface around 28 to 30 inches (71 to 76 cm) from the floor. Our desk is wall-mounted, so you choose its height when you hang it. Sit at a table you already use, measure what feels right and mount to that.
- Desk depth: a deeper desk suits two monitors or lots of paper. Ours is 17.0 inches (43.1 cm) deep, which suits a laptop, a notebook and a mug better than a large desktop setup.
- Lighting: place the desk so daylight comes from the side rather than behind the screen. Add a task lamp if the corner is dark in the evening.
- Clearance: leave about 36 inches (91 cm) behind the chair so you can stand up and walk past. In a bedroom or living room, check that the chair does not block a door or a drawer.
- Wall type: wall-mounted modules need secure fixings. Check what your wall is made of and follow the instructions in the box.
For wider advice on open shelving in the main room, see our guide to living room storage.
How do Themis modules combine?
Themis is a modular system with three units: a desk, a shelf and a cabinet. Each is 32.0 inches (81.3 cm) wide and 24.0 inches (61 cm) high.
- Shelf and cabinet: both can be wall-mounted or freestanding, and both can be hung right side up or upside down. The cabinet has doors that slide open.
- Desk: the desk is wall-mounted only, and it can also be hung right side up or upside down.
- Mixing: shelves and cabinets pair with each other, and the desk is designed to pair with both.
- Freestanding units: steel connector brackets join two or more shelves or cabinets side to side or one above the other. Anti-tip brackets secure a freestanding unit to a wall stud.
- Wall-mounted units: the box includes a mounting poster and wall anchors, and the back has four keyhole mounts. When you hang several units, start with the bottom ones and build upward.
In the Themis collection, you can build your own combination and see it before you order.
Themis modules at a glance
Themis modules at a glance
| Module | Overall size (W x D x H) | Mounting | Finishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Themis desk | 32.0 x 17.0 x 24.0 in (81.3 x 43.1 x 61 cm) | Wall-mounted only | Walnut, Oak, Dove |
| Themis shelf | 32.0 x 11.0 x 24.0 in (81.3 x 28 x 61 cm) | Wall-mounted or freestanding | Walnut, Oak, Dove, plus back-panel colours |
| Themis cabinet | 32.0 x 11.0 x 24.0 in (81.3 x 28 x 61 cm) | Wall-mounted or freestanding | Walnut, Oak, Dove, plus door colours |
| Altitude storage cabinet | 32.1 x 9.4 x 9.8 in (81.5 x 24 x 25 cm) | Sits inside an Altitude shelf | Walnut, Oak, Black wood, Dove |
What are Themis modules made of?
The frame of each side panel is ash wood with a satin stain in Walnut and Oak. The panels, shelves and desk surface are 15 mm MDF covered with a thin sheet of real wood veneer (0.3 mm) and lacquer. In Dove, the ash frame and the MDF are painted with a 10% gloss finish.
Shelf back panels and cabinet doors also come in two coloured options, Canary and Eucalyptus. Both are paired with Dove on the reverse side, so you can flip them for a different look. These colours come with a Walnut or Oak frame. The Dove finish and its panel colour only come together. The desk has no coloured panels.
Three layouts using real modules
Each layout below uses a combination of Themis modules that we list for the wall-mounted system.
A small nook (a hallway, a landing or the end of a living room)
- Setup: one Themis desk and one Themis cabinet.
- Why: both are 32.0 inches (81.3 cm) wide, so they line up. The cabinet keeps a laptop dock, paperwork and supplies behind closed doors.
- Depth: the desk is 17.0 inches (43.1 cm) deep, so the nook only needs to be as deep as the desk and the chair.
A living-room wall
- Setup: one Themis desk, one cabinet and three shelves.
- Why: open shelves hold books and plants, so the wall still looks like part of the living room, and the cabinet closes over the work items. Our living room storage guide covers modular shelving for the main room.
- Optional addition: the Altitude storage cabinet is 32.1 inches (81.5 cm) wide, close to the width of Themis. Altitude is a separate collection: its cabinet fits into an Altitude shelf and is not a Themis module.
A bedroom corner
- Setup: one Themis desk and two cabinets.
- Why: closed storage keeps work out of sight at night. Our small bedroom storage ideas show how to keep the rest of the room calm.
- Floor space: wall-mounting keeps the floor clear, and you can hang the desk at the height that suits your chair.
For a bigger setup, you can combine more modules. Two desks, six shelves and two cabinets is one listed wall-mounted combination for a shared home office.
How do you care for the setup?
These tips are general advice for wood furniture, not a warranty term. Our warranty page explains what is covered.
- Wipe gently: use a soft, slightly damp cloth, then dry the surface.
- Protect the desk surface: a desk mat or coaster guards the surface from hot mugs and scratches.
- Check the fixings: every few months, make sure wall-mounted units are still firm. For freestanding units, confirm the anti-tip bracket is secured.
- Rearranging: hang the bottom units first and follow the instructions in the box.
Our modular furniture guide covers how to plan flexible furniture for small and open spaces.
Our recommendation
- If you have a hallway nook or a small apartment: choose one Themis desk and one cabinet. It gives you a desk and closed storage in one compact combination.
- If the office shares a living room: choose one desk, one cabinet and three shelves, so the wall reads as a bookcase, not a workstation.
- If the office is in a bedroom: choose one desk and two cabinets, so everything closes away at night.
- If you want help planning: book a free design consultation and we will talk through your space with you.
Explore our storage range
Product specifications can change. Check the current dimensions on the product page before ordering.