Big Job, Small Space: Creating a Compact and Functional Home Office

Office buildings are often huge and contain everything necessary to run a business, but many people do the same exact work from an area no bigger than a hallway bathroom. How? They prioritise efficiency and get creative. If you’ve recently made the switch to a home office, here are some tips on how to best utilise every square inch of your available space. 

Compact and Convenient

There’s no way of getting around the need for office and computer equipment. But when you’re limited on workspace, you’ll have to downsize. Thankfully, that’s the easy part. 

Start by swapping your bulky desktop computer for a powerful laptop or all-in-one model. These are every bit as capable as a chunky PC but can fit comfortably on a small surface, such as a built-in desk. This type of desk can be made to fit your home’s layout, meaning you can take advantage of otherwise dead space, such as a spare closet, basement, or the hallway. If you put your office in an out-of-the-way area, you might want to consider adding a WiFi amplifier to ensure you have a strong internet connection.

A wireless printer, which can be moved out of the way when not in use, and an overhead light will also help free up space on your desk. Get creative in your storage efforts, and don’t be shy about pinning things to the wall that would otherwise sit in an ever-growing pile of things to do. Ensure that your chair slides underneath your desk to reduce your office footprint.

Double-Duty Decor

When you’re short on space, you have to make sure that everything in your office has a purpose. You may not be able to display your favourite family photos right next to your computer monitor, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create an aesthetically pleasing environment. Stick with simple designs and solid colours that won’t overrun your senses. Just as a cluttered and heavily decorated classroom can affect the learning abilities of young children, too many colours, shapes, and other distractions can pull your attention from work and reduce your productivity.

Look for office furniture and accessories that serve more than one purpose. For example, there are many desktop organizers that pull double duty as a phone charger. If you don’t have a ton of wall space to store papers, you can also add storage to the back of your chair. This chair pocket from SewCanShe.com is a great DIY solution you can customise according to your decor.

Lighting Is Essential

No matter where you add your home office, keep in mind that you should have access to plenty of natural light. Not only is sun exposure good for your mental health, but it also promotes energy and can keep your stress levels low when things get hectic. Be mindful, however, that you do not have a direct view out of your window since this can also serve as a distraction.

The Cost Consideration

Moving your workspace from a standard office to a home office is a cost-effective way to get things done. However, it’s not a truly free space, and there may be additional expenses to consider. For example, if you’ll have clients on site, you may need to invest in additional insurance, and being home all day will add to your electric bill. A computer can easily run $1,000, and a new desk will typically set you back between $275 and $1,200. 

You don’t have to have a massive workspace to be productive. And as they say, necessity is the mother of invention, so don’t be afraid to get creative.


Image from https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/decorating/home-office-decor-ideas

Written by Alice Robertson