Whether you’re a freelance writer, a small-business owner, or a remote worker, having a dedicated home office is essential to your success. But creating a workable home office can be challenging if you don’t have room to spare. Here are tips on making the most of a small space to create a stylish and functional home office.
1. Find the Space to Create a Home Office
If you don’t have an extra room to turn into a home office, it’s important to create physical boundaries between your work area and the rest of your home. Set up a screen or partition to delineate your workspace. You might also use color to create visual boundaries; for example, paint the office walls a different color than the rest of your home’s walls. Finally, make sure to keep your work area tidy and free of distractions so that you can focus on getting things done.
2. Invest in Multi-Purpose Furniture
When choosing furniture for a small office, look for pieces that serve more than one purpose. For instance, a desk with built-in shelves and drawers will give you somewhere to store documents and supplies within easy reach. Use a small bookcase to store books and containers of office supplies while doubling as a printer stand. If you don’t have space for a desk, invest in a fold-away table you can use for working and tuck away at the end of the day.
3. Get Creative with Storage Solutions
If you’re short on storage space, get creative. Hang floating shelves on the wall to hold books and other materials. Use stacking bins or baskets to keep things organized underneath the desk. You might also install hooks or pegs near your work area to hang coats, bags, and other items that typically take up valuable floor space.
4. Create a Home Office: Make Use of Natural Light
If possible, set up your home office near a window to take advantage of natural light during the day. Not only will this save on energy costs, but it’ll also boost your mood and productivity levels. Studies have shown that people who work in well-lit environments are happier and more productive. If you don’t have access to natural light, invest in good quality artificial lighting. Install overhead lights, use a floor lamp, and add a desk lamp to illuminate your workspace completely.
5. Use Greenery
Adding plants to your home office will brighten the space and improve air quality. Taking care of plants lowers stress levels, too. Choose easy-to-care-for houseplants that will thrive in your office lighting conditions. Add low-maintenance varieties like succulents or cacti if you’re not great at keeping plants alive.
Creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing home office doesn’t have to be difficult, even in a small space. With these helpful tips, you’ll be well on your way to having the perfect workspace in no time.
Golden Rule Home Inspections offers inspections to customers in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties. If you’re buying or selling a home, contact us to request an appointment.