With the pandemic forcing office employees to work from home, many have had a hard time carving out the extra space for a home office. However, with a little creativity and a sprinkle of elbow grease, you can transform even the smallest space into a fully functioning office. After all, how much bigger is your cubical back at the office anyway?
Follow these 10 makeover ideas for transforming your small home office:
- Think about your office needs
- Designing your home office space
- Opting for a sit or stand workstation
- Employing wall-mounted or dual-purpose furniture
- Introducing color
- Liven up the space with greenery
- Downsizing for a minimalistic approach
- Installing room divider curtains
- Adopting unused spaces for your office
- Personalizing your home office
Making over your small home office to maximize productivity and spark creativity is relatively easy with the tips above. Continue reading to learn more!
Think About Your Office Needs
First and foremost, before you start the makeover process, it's best if you make a list of your business needs. Maximizing your home office to work for you is most important. Does your business require making a lot of phone calls? If so, a quiet workspace is vital.
Or, does your business require a spot to store products? If that's the case, then storage should be on your list as well.
Designing Your Home Office Space
Once you've listed your business needs, you can now get to designing your office space. Any proper office should contain the following:
- Convenient storage accessories for your office supplies
- Ergonomic furniture and desk
- Ample lighting
- Filing cabinets, desks, printer stands, and comfortable chairs are a staple of any office space
If you can fit these items into the design of your home office, then you'll be well on your way to increasing your productivity. If not, then you can get a little creative with the tips below!
Opting for a Sit or Stand Workstation
Oprah Daily notes that adjusting your posture and moving around during the day offers numerous benefits. If your space allows for it, opt for a sit/stand workstation. Your back will definitely thank you in the end!
If you'd rather not spend the money on a transforming desk, then you can still accomplish the sit/stand option by ditching the desk for a wall-mounted floating console. Situate the console to your standing height and use barstools when you wish to sit down.
Employing Wall-Mounted or Dual Purpose Furniture
Is there limited space on your desk? Alleviate the clutter by going vertical. If your business requires multiple computer monitors, consider mounting them on the wall behind your desk. Or, install a wall-mounted cabinet to store your office supplies. Even better, ditch the conventional desk for a wall-mounted desk that can flip up or down at your convenience.
Additionally, transforming furniture can help your office pull double duty. For example, a convertible desk can expand or rotate to reveal hidden storage areas. Also, for those people who are really tight on space, a flip-top coffee table can function as both a table and a desk.
Introduce Color
One of the best aspects of working from home is the ability to ditch the drab cubical for the comforts of your abode. Take that one step further by introducing a pop of color to your home office. For instance, Good Housekeeping recommends opting for a colorful desk chair or storage boxes to drown out any boring white walls. Additionally, you can further hide any plain walls with an inspirational art piece or picture.
Liven Up Your Space With Greenery
Mother Nature is great at reducing stress, especially during times of tight deadlines. Liven up your home office with plants and succulents, either real or fake. While real plants do require a little more work, many come with the added benefit of being air purifiers.
Downsizing for a Minimalistic Approach
Having a desk full of clutter will not make you more productive. Downsizing the mess for a more minimalistic approach means fewer distractions, which means you can stay focused on the tasks at hand, sparking a deeper sense of creativity. There's a reason the world's most successful people are minimalists.
One simple way to employ minimalism is to opt for furniture that doesn't allow room for clutter. Accomplish this by choosing a simple desk that doesn't have any drawers or cabinets for storage and is just big enough to fit your essentials, such as your computer and keyboard.
Decorations should also be kept to a minimum. First off, stick to a simple, two-tone color scheme that isn't too distracting. Decorate your office with simple items, such as baskets or paintings that reflect those two colors.
Installing Room Divider Curtains
If your home office isn't in a room with a closing door but you still need privacy, The Spruce recommends closing it off with a curtain. This is an especially great tip for offices that are part of rooms with higher foot traffic, such as in the living room. Just make sure to choose a fabric that looks good as a backdrop for when you need to make those important video calls.
Adopting Unused Spaces for Your Office
Desperately need a home office but lack the space? Get creative! Chances are you have at least one spot in your home that can be converted into an office. You may just need to rearrange some furniture to optimize the square footage.
For example, turn an unused closet into an office by removing the doors and adding a narrow desk that can fit inside. You'll also want to decorate the space with wallpaper and proper lighting. Since most closets already have shelves, utilize these for your office supplies.
This same concept can be applied to other areas in the home, such as a small nook or in the corner of a hallway. Perhaps you have some room under the stairs? Channel your inner Harry Potter and place a desk under the staircase. Have a generously sized entryway? Add a desk and some lighting and voila, you've got yourself an office!
Personalize Your Home Office
The beauty of working from home means you are not confined to the rules of an office. Since the room is in your own home, don't be afraid to personalize it and make it your own. This is especially true considering the fact the guests are likely to see your home office at some point.
To personalize the space, use colors, decorations, patterns, and art. Hang pictures of your favorite memories or posters of your favorite bands or movies. While you don't want the decorations to be too distracting, adding items that remind you why you're working can effectively boost your productivity level.
Conclusion
Just because you have a small home office does not mean your productivity level has to suffer. First, evaluate what you need most in your workspace. Then, consider what furniture you wish to add, whether it be a sit/stand workstation or a wall-mounted desk.
Remember to keep decorations to a minimum, but at the same time, a small plant and a dash of color are never a bad idea. Utilize unused space in your home, such as a closet or hallway, and consider installing a room dividing curtain for more privacy. Lastly, just make sure your home office is cozy and reflects your personality. Now clock in and get to work!