Don't have a spare room to convert for your home office? No worries! There are plenty of ways to create a great home office when you don't have a lot of space to work with. Here's how you can create your dream workspace with limited square footage.
Carve out a space. A home office doesn't need to be big, but it should be located in an out-of-the-way spot where you won't be easily distracted. Living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens might be a poor choice, but a finished attic or basement, dining room, large laundry room, or walk-in closet could be the right space - see what works for you!
If you're up for renovating, transform unused space into a full-fledged office by adding interior walls to a family room or dining area that's larger than you need. You could even convert part of a garage or outbuilding into a finished office so you have workspace that's completely separate from your home. Working from home has its perks, but it's tough to be productive in your own house. With flooring, insulation, heating and cooling, you can convert your garage into a comfortable workspace.
What type of look do you want for your home office? The answer to this question will determine what kind of furnishings you shop for. If you like the traditional executive look, a wooden desk in a dark finish and a plush leather office chair will get you there. Prefer something modern and techy? Look for light colors, slim profiles, and minimalist. Do you really have no space for a home office? A fold away desk lets you create a workspace when you need it and hide it when you don't.
Remember: If your home office is out in the open, its style should match the overall look of your home. Otherwise, the office space will stick out.
A home office is more than a desk and a chair. You also need space for all your important documents, business mail, and other office essentials. Without adequate storage, your desk quickly turns into a cluttered mess that hurts your productivity. Floating shelves are ideal for storing books, binders, and filing drawers without limiting floor space. f you want to add personal touches or a bit of inspiration, a cork board mounted on the wall is the perfect solution for family photos, motivational quotes, and notes-to-self. You can assemble everything yourself or buy them pre-made.
Designing a home office is an opportunity to break free from the boring cubicle and inject personal flair into your workspace that's true whether you're working with a whole garage or just a corner of a room! Instead of thinking of your small square footage as limiting, view it as a challenge to create maximum function and style in minimum space.