Setting Up a Home Office in a Small Space: 3 Tips

Guest Post by Dean Burgess.

Working from home is here to stay for many of us, but it’s not always easy to stay focused on work when you’re not in the office. If you struggle to concentrate when you bring your work home, a home office is ideal for increasing productivity. A Google search on designing a home office typically turns up articles that only apply to people with spare rooms in their homes. This article explores how someone living in a small space can create a functional home office. The trick is to work with what you have. JD&J Design presents some easy tips for creating a home office in a small living space.

1. Use Underutilized Areas 
The area beneath your staircase, a rarely used cupboard, and an attic eave make great office spaces. Because no one frequents these spaces, they provide an environment free of distractions. You can also decorate these areas however you like, and no one will complain.

Hidden places in the house are often dark, and according to research, poor lighting affects people’s moods and makes them less productive. So, if you decide to use an obscure area as a home office, ensure you use good lighting.

The good news is that if you make one of these underutilized spaces truly functional, the improvement can positively affect your home’s value. Buyers like to see upgrades, like new lighting, and functional space throughout the house. So, when you decide to sell - whether it’s now or in the future - your small home office can prove to be a boon to your home appraisal.

2. Define Your Office Space 
If your home has an open plan, make your office space stand out by painting the area in a different color. An office separation screen or simply a room divider can help to distinguish your home office from the rest of the room. 

Defining your office space is also essential if you share your room with other people because it creates clear boundaries. Here are more ways to separate your office space and make it functional.

• Keep your office equipment in one place
• Designate a wall for your reminders and sticky notes
• Hang a bulletin board
• Add a desk lamp

If you simply can’t get the defined space you need in order to make yourself a functional home office, consider refinancing your home to get the money you need to make a few upgrades. Look up how to refinance for details on rates and processes. You might choose to cash out some of your equity to move a wall to open up a space or set apart a space for your office. And refinancing can even lessen your monthly mortgage payments, which can be incredibly helpful, especially if you’re an entrepreneur working from home.

3. Get Organized
When your living space is cluttered, it's impossible to find idle space. Working in a disorganized space also interferes with your productivity. Therefore, a critical step in setting up a home office in a small area is getting organized. Find a place to store your paperwork and documents to avoid having things scattered over your desk. Office supplies also tend to clutter a space if they don't have a designated storage place.

Filling an area with storage cabinetry negates the goal of maximizing limited space; however, vertical storage works perfectly in a small room. Stacking drawers and installing a rack behind your door are clever vertical storage solutions. A drawer organizer also helps you keep your paperwork and office supplies easily accessible.

Another way to create a functional home office is by organizing your cables. Having your legs tangled up in electric cables every time you move them under your desk is annoying and distracts you from your work. Tangled wires also make your office look untidy. A cable organizer easily solves this problem.

Create the Perfect Home Office
Working from home can provide a lot of flexibility, but it can also come with distractions. No matter how small your home office is, equip it with furnishings that enhance its appeal, functionality, and convenience because the goal is to create a home office that also functions as a true workspace. 

If you work in publishing or are writing your own book, JD&J Design can create an outstanding book jacket for your new work. Visit our website today to see our work and contact us for more information.