How To Make A Home Office In A Small Space
You can make an absolutely beautiful, organized, and inspiring home office in a small space despite what you may think. At first, I didn’t know what makes up a great home office until I did some research and experimented. Allow me to explain.
The perfect home office in a small space comprises a great desk that doesn’t hurt your joints, floating or floor-based storage units that prevent clutter and promote an organized small office, decor that puts you in the mood to work rather than sleep or waste time, adequate lighting and fresh air to promote productivity because a dark and very warm room will make you sleepy and a comfortable layout for you to feel free rather than cave in.
I live in an average size home and there’s not a lot of room to work with and most people who work from home know how frustrating it can be to work in your bedroom.
A designated space for a home office feels like a breath of fresh air.
Even if, worst-case scenario, you have to set up a small space in your bedroom to be an office, it’s still better than not having one.
From my own experience, there seems to be a psychological effect on me when I used to work in my room. It’s the place that is ordinarily attributed to everything but work.
Working in an environment where your mind and body are used to being when you want to chill and sleep isn’t a recipe for productivity.
Side Note: Check out our awesome guide on how to create a meditation room at home in a limited space.
This is why I feel a guide on making a home office is crucial. I experienced that issue but I kind of felt like I kept hitting a roadblock with my bedroom work desk. I felt cramped, uncomfortable, and frustrated that I couldn’t work freely.
I needed to make a change because I want to enjoy working from home. I want to be motivated to create the best possible content when I sit down at my desk to write every day.
So, I did quite a bit of research and this is all the stuff I found that is useful. I’ve also included a few home office layouts so you can get a good idea of how the tips below are applied in real-life situations.
Let’s take a further look at each of these home office tips.
Table of Contents
Easy Steps For Creating A Home Office In A Small Space
1. Find The Perfect Desk
When it comes to the perfect desk, you want to consider dimensions, look and feel. If you’re working within a narrow space, a small and compact desk with multiple vertical shelves may be perfect for you.
We can be picky but we can’t be fussy. If you have a small space, it’s not wise to drown most of it with a large wall-to-wall chunky desk. You’re better off with something compact and ergonomic.
I can’t sit for extended periods because of some back issues which is why I’ve been extremely interested in standing desks.
People have claimed that standing desks have improved their posture, reduced back pain, increased alertness, and kept them focused.
See also: Where To Put A Desk In A Bedroom? (Desk Layout Ideas)
Those are exceptional benefits and worth looking into so I did. What I found is that desk manufacturers offer a mechanical desk that can be elevated from a normal desk to a standing desk with a push of a button.
If you have the funds for this, I would recommend investing in one. If you don’t, then you can always take a look at some of these DIY desks. You could save some good money and create something almost as cool.
Okay, so, apart from standing desks, there’s also something to consider in respect of hand positioning. If you work on a computer or laptop often, like me, you are at risk of wrist pain or worse, carpal tunnel syndrome. It would suck to be afflicted by these issues.
So, my father designed a computer desk for me almost a decade ago in which the portion of the desk that holds the keyboard and mouse is at a slightly upward angle.
This promotes a more natural resting position for your arms and hands to prevent or help conditions associated with excessive computer usage.
Alternatively, if none of these options are viable, you could opt for a floating desk that folds into your wall.
It’s not as complicated as it sounds, trust me. Sure, it won’t necessarily be as flashy as other desks but it would be practical and useful!
Check out this DIY video on foldable desks:
2. Add Placeholders And Storage Units
No matter how wireless or digital we become, it’s inevitable that we’ll need office equipment and stationery. I love putting pen to paper but it becomes annoying when all that paper begins to accumulate.
A filing and storage system prevents a ton of clutter and disorganization. I speak from experience when I say that a messy environment destroys productivity and creativity.
You want to consider adding floating storage units or placeholders to the wall in front of you or on either side. This utilizes wasted space and keeps everything at arms reach.
Here are a few home organization ideas I would recommend to you.
Idea via brit
Idea via itsoverflowing
Idea via whitehouseblackshutters
3. Set The Mood With Customized Decor
I’m a strong believer in the effects of color and environment on mood and energy. I would hate being in a room that gives me a clinical and boring vibe. I want my workspace to be full of energy and motivation.
This is why decorating your home office with things like a vision board, feature wall, bright colors of paint, and warm lights can make a world of a difference in your overall mood and mindset.
Don’t be limited by what is considered an average workspace. It’s your home office, design it with all your preferences in mind.
4. Light, Fresh Air, Movement And Tips For Comfort
During my studies, a basic overview of studying was attached to my curriculum, and within this guide were a few critical tips for optimizing my study space.
It advised against dark, excessively warm, and damp rooms and encouraged working in a well-lit space, had cross ventilation for proper oxygen, and a great chair because I would be sitting for long spaces of time.
These simple and obvious tips ordinarily flew over my head but when I implemented them into my workspace, I witnessed a genuine increase in productivity and my overall morale was lifted.
Temperature is important because if your office is too warm, you’ll feel sleepy but if it’s too cold, you’ll feel restless. You want to stick with something dead in the center between the two.
If you can’t afford to purchase a premium office chair, then like me, opt for picking up a donut pillow. This will help in your overall comfort and prevent any tailbone pain caused by sitting for prolonged periods.
Try to keep your screen at eye level and a significant distance because the closer you are, the more strain it could have on your eyes, especially if you’re working for many hours.
When you have to position a desk within a very tight space, trust me, avoid getting a desk with side drawers. The reason is, that this eats into the legroom. You’ll end up being stuck within a super small space and your legs will hate you for it.
Get a small bin. It’s convenient and will prevent clutter. Alternatively, get your hands on a paper shredder for both organization and privacy.
Attempt to switch from wired to wireless computer accessories. This eliminates bothersome cables that make an office desk look untidy.
Conclusion
There you have it. A complete guide on how to make a home office in a small space. At the end of the day, it all boils down to creating something that suits you.
Don’t compromise on comfort for frills. Invest in a good chair and desk, these two things will last you for many years.
Try to get as much lighting in your space, add some color and depth with accessories, and as far as possible, keep your home office organized. A small space is an easier space to mess with.
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