30 Ways To Make The Most Of A Small Home Office
If temporarily working from home has turned into a permanent situation for you, it's critical that your workspace functions as best as possible. A quiet, tidy area that is all yours is the ideal environment to boost productivity and efficiency. But that may feel a bit difficult to achieve when you're faced with a cramped or perhaps, uncomfortable space that may impede your flow.
There's no need to worry, though, as there are plenty of creative ways to make the most of a small home office. According to Moving, you can try anything from utilizing vertical space to working from a quiet corner of the home or choosing the right desk to hide cord clutter. A functional work-from-home setup is possible regardless of the current state yours is in. Read ahead to discover exciting ways to maximize both your space and productivity in your small work-from-home office.
1. Create a cloffice
A cloffice is essentially a closet that's been transformed into an office. If you have an odd-shaped or underused small closet in your home, this can easily be achieved. Remove everything that doesn't belong, find a small desk and chair that fits the depth of the space, and use any existing shelves to store supplies.
2. Work in a nook
If you don't want to lose precious closet space to carve out your office, perhaps you can take advantage of any awkward alcoves in your home. If even a small wall area is recessed, add a floating desk and a shelf to transform it into a distraction-free workspace that takes up zero extra square footage.
3. Put up a partition
Separating your personal from professional life is a bit hard to do when you work remotely full time. That's why setting physical boundaries around your home office are vital. Use a partition, such as a wall of cubbies, to keep your desk area out of sight from the rest of your living areas.
4. Pull double duty
If more than one person works from home, consider a large desk to accommodate all the activities. A sturdy wide table with comfortable chairs placed on each side allows all the parties to take care of business while utilizing less space in the area.
5. Step into your office
The space underneath a staircase is usually wasted. So why not make the most of it and transform it into your office? Build or place a desk at a good sitting height that will accommodate one or two chairs. Use the highest point of the wall to store file organizers for easy reach.
6. Room with a view
Everyone dreams of an office with a beautiful view to help alleviate stress. Find a room in your home, such as a guest bedroom that has just that, and add a desk facing the window. Maintain it so it stays serene, and know that you can always catch a cat-nap in the space.
7. Transform a sunroom
Sunrooms are generally quiet spots in the home that may or may not get to be enjoyed as much as they should. If a home office is more of a priority for you, convert your sunroom into your own cheerful space to work.
8. Labor away in a loft
Yes, a loft in your home is a great spot to use for storage. But it can also be transformed into a perfectly quiet office space. Prop your desk facing the slanted ceiling and be sure you have enough headroom when sitting or standing up.
9. Corner office
While it's certainly reminiscent of college dorm days, having a desk in your bedroom may be your only option. To better separate work from sleep, face the chair to a corner of the room. Not only will it create a distinct office zone, but the lighting may also be ideal for work video calls.
10. The office temp
Not sure if you'll be remote working for good or going back into the office? There's no need to set up an elaborate home office. A sturdy folding table and comfortable chair can be placed in the corner of any room, giving you some privacy to get the job done.
11. Know when to fold 'em
While not as temporary, a wall-mounted fold-down table that doubles as a desk can be a major space saver. This is a creative solution if you have limited space and have to carve out a home office. Ensure that the desk is as clutter free as possible.
12. Work it out
If you have a daily workout routine, you may like this option. Consider a stationary bike with an attached desktop or even a treadmill with a connected standing desk so you can save space with a two-in-one solution.
13. Embrace the L-shape
While it might be a tight squeeze to fit a large-sized desk in your home office, you can benefit from more surface space with a narrow L-shaped option. Pushing it into the corner of a room opens up the walkways while giving you and your work supplies room to spread out.
14. Keep it clutter free
Regardless of its size and location, there are multiple benefits to keeping the top of your desk as minimalist as possible. Not only does a clutter-free work area support concentration and creativity, but it can also help a small office space blend into the rest of your home without becoming an obvious eyesore.
15. Simple seating
While a simple, clean desk is essential, reconsider your seating options. If you sit for most of the day to work, a comfortable yet understated armchair can integrate into the rest of your home décor. But if you sit for short periods, consider a small stool that can easily slide underneath a table and save space.
16. Built-in bookshelves
Built-in units in any space are an excellent way to add storage while conserving square footage. A small home office can truly benefit from floor-to-ceiling shelves recessed into the walls. Use them to store books, binders, and boxes of organized office supplies.
17. Embrace the height
If built-in shelves aren't feasible for your current office space, bring in a standalone shelving unit or mount one to the wall. Using vertical height is one of the best ways to maximize storage space in your house and home office.
18. Plant it
Indoor plants are known to help ease stress and increase focus, leading some employers to add them into the office to benefit their employees. So why not infuse some of those perks into your home workspace? Place a few vibrant plants on your desk, a nearby shelf, or even the floor to inspire you.
19. Light it up
Adequate lighting is important when reading or using a computer screen. So be sure to take that into consideration for your home office when setting it up, especially when working with a small space. Use a table lamp or get creative with a row of string lights to illuminate every angle.
20. On the rise
Clearing your desk area is important and beneficial for a small home office. One way to instantly see the top of the desk is by adding a monitor riser, and this allows you to see the screen at a better eye level and tuck the keyboard, a laptop, or even supplies underneath.
21. Put up a pegboard
Pegboards aren't only reserved for garages and workshops; they also make excellent and versatile home office organizers. Use hooks to hold scissors and headphones and attach cups for pens and pencils. Place it within reach of your desk for convenience.
22. Embrace the entire space
Leave no space wasted in your small home office but utilize all the available organizational tools. If you're not a fan of pegboards, find another wall-mounted organizer for your everyday essentials. Add a desktop shelf for notebooks and décor to further take advantage of vertical space.
23. Functional furniture
If your home office is in a shared living space, such as the living room or den, aim for furniture that can be multipurpose. A floating shelf can store décor and supplies, while a C-shaped end table can support a snack or laptop if you wish to work from the couch.
24. Write it down
Who says you need to have a dull, generic whiteboard in your home office? Mount an elegant glass calendar or to-do list by your desk to give the space an aesthetic touch, especially if you work from the main room of the house.
25. Cut the cords
While they don't take up a lot of space, cords and cables stemming from office electronics can be unsightly and contribute to clutter. But there are many ways to minimize or disguise their appearance, such as with a cable management box that can sit inconspicuously on or under your desk.
26. Don't forget your drawers
If your home office desk comes complete with a drawer or two, be sure you're using them to the max, limiting the amount of surface clutter. Use clear organizers to separate eyeglasses, small electronics, and personal items you need throughout your workday.
27. Stack them up
Stackable and customizable organizers are becoming increasingly available, giving you an easy way to sort and store your things. Use clear pull-out drawers to separate pens from sticky notes and be able to find what you need fast in the middle of your busy workday.
28. Slap a label on it
For an even easier way to locate items, label the backstock. Whether on your desk or in a nearby cabinet, brand containers with extra highlighters and ink. This is especially helpful in creating a foolproof system if you share office space with anyone else in the house.
29. Get creative with storage
Creating space to get the job done in a small home office isn't as difficult as you might believe. Think outside the box when it comes to storing the items you need, such as attaching an adhesive basket inside a cabinet for small supplies.
30. Set up a printer station
If your work calls for a printer, set up a station with everything you might need. A small and decorative cabinet can hold blank printer paper and new ink cartridges, and the surface can carry the actual printer and anything else you may need to go along with it, such as a stapler.