14 Tips to Maximize Space in Your Small Home Office
1. Select the Right Space
Not everyone has the luxury of an extra room to turn into a home office but with a desk, simple storage and a little creativity, you can turn an area of your living room, bedroom or hallway into a small home office. Other unique spaces include under stairs, in the attic or in an unused closet. Even a small unused corner can be an ideal spot for a home office. No matter how small the space is, you won’t have a problem furnishing it. You can get desks in any size and custom cabinets can be built for any space.
Whatever space you choose, make sure that the area is not heavily trafficked by others in your household. You may want to speak to your family before deciding on the spot to ensure they can avoid the area during working hours.
2. Plan your Workspace
Once you select the space, it’s time to plan. To ensure that your home office is efficient, functional and visually-appealing, take the time to figure out the best layout for your home office. Decide what items you need to have and how to ensure that everything fits comfortably in your small space.
3. Hire a Designer
If you are struggling, you may want to consider consulting a home office design expert to help you decide the best way to fit everything you need into your desired space. A designer can work with you one-on-one and give you personalized advice on the best way to achieve the perfect home office.
4. Clear Out Distractions
Once you select a space, remove all items that might be distracting such as a television or a treadmill. You want to be able to keep your focus on your work. Remove any unwanted furniture as well.
5. Use Vertical Storage
Instead of wasting precious floor space by building horizontally, use the full height of your wall to instal cabinets for storage. With the right cabinets, you’ll have plenty of room for your books, files and other necessities. You can also make use of the space under your desk with full extension file drawers to hold your important files. Memphis Garage & Closets discusses more about how to best utilize vertical storage in Five Tips to Makeover Your Home Office.
6. Install Dividers for Your Drawers
Organization is especially important in a small home office because of your space limitations. One way to keep your drawers organized is by using drawer dividers. Dividers save space and enable you to easily store office supplies and other items in your desk drawers. Dividers also keep your drawers organized and efficient. Instead of rifling through your drawers to find what you need, dividers help you find the item quickly so you can get back to your task.
7. Keep Your Wires and Cords Under Control
Nothing slows down your productivity more than getting wrapped up in a tangle of electrical cords and wires. Everything has a cord- your computer, the printer, your phone charger, etc. In today’s digital world, it’s impossible to get rid of all cords though you can minimize the number by going as wireless as possible with a wireless mouse, wireless keyboard, wireless or bluetooth-enabled printer, bluetooth speakers, etc.
8. Rely Less on Paper
By reducing the amount of paper you use, you decrease the amount of storage you need. Digitize everything you can and store documents on your computer or on a shared drive. Make purchases and pay all bills online. You can utilize electronic signatures to sign important documents. Use online calendars such as Google or Outlook instead of using a paper calendar.
9. Don’t Take Up Too Much Space With Your Desk
Most people work on laptops or tablets these days so you don’t need a desk that takes up too much real estate. Purchase a desk that will maximize your home office space. A compact desk or modular office system can help save space. Other options include console desks, writing desks, folding desks or an L-shaped desk that fits into a corner. You may even want to consider a standing desk.
10. Keep Clutter Away
Don’t let your workspace get cluttered. Make use of your storage. In addition to drawer dividers, use baskets and bins to tidy up your desk and keep office supplies close by when you need them.
11. Light Up Your Workspace
Do not use floor lamps as they tend to take up too much space. Instead, use recessed LED lighting and put an LED desk lamp on your desk. If possible, take advantage of natural light by placing your desk near a window.
12. Add Color
Some colors stimulate productivity more than others. Avoid black or tan as they tend to take away your energy. You should avoid dark colors because they can make an area look small. You want colors that will give your home office an open feeling. White is a very stable neutral color and isn’t too hard on the eyes. It also makes it easier to match your desk and storage.
If you don’t like white, consider blue, gray or dark green as they can be calming colors. Yellow and orange stimulate energy but don’t go too bright. While bright colors might perk you up, they can be very hard on the eyes if you look at them too much. Cabinets come in many different colors, so you can find one that will fit with the color scheme you choose.
13. Separate Your Workspace
If your home office is in an area other members of the household frequent, you may want to use a room divider to section off your workspace. Having a barrier will help keep others from invading your privacy and will prevent you from getting distracted. Sheer curtains or bamboo screens make great room dividers. You also might consider using a filing cabinet or bookcase to act as a divider.
14. Install Wall-Mounted Furniture
One way to give yourself more space is to install a floating desk and use wall mounted storage such as cabinets. You will have more space below your desk for filing cabinets or other storage solutions. You may also want to consider mounting your monitor to the wall so it doesn’t hog space on your desk.
Final Thoughts
Having a home office makes a huge difference in keeping you focused and productive. While some people are lucky enough to have an extra room to use, many don’t have the luxury of unused space especially if you live in a small home. However, there are some strategies you can use to create the perfect home office without taking up too much space.
After reading this article, you will be armed with ideas to help you maximize the space in your small home office so you can continue working from home in a comfortable workspace.