This is the time to think seriously about your home office. If you have a small space you might be wondering how you can make working (or studying) at home more pleasant. As more people are spending more time at home, real estate agents are finding that a home office is a must, as a recent survey from HomeLight found. Here are some tips to create the office that will work for you, no matter if you have a whole room to work with, or even, just a closet.
Get creative
You don’t need an entire room for a home office. A functional home office can take on many forms. You can go for a table pulled down from the wall as a desk. A corner desk in the living room, dining room, or master bedroom can also work. And what about closets? Yes, those can also become an office, with the doors removed on just open when in use. The office doesn’t have to be set-up all the time, it could be that you fold it away and then let the room take on its other persona at night during weekends.
Let there be light
For the closet office and other spaces to work, you have to make sure you add enough light because, without light, your productivity will go downhill. Natural light is best, but don’t discount a space just because it doesn’t have readymade light. Lighting is a feature that you can also get creative about. Floor and desk lamps can do the job in a pinch if you aren’t able to easily add overhead lighting. Aside from having a well-lit space to work in, you may want to think about how space looks on camera. As video calls are becoming the norm, be sure to consider how your space will look virtually, and avoid glare if possible. Your background may also be a feature worth considering.
Don’t forget storage
Keeping the space organized and having storage will make it easier for you to tuck away your office for the day, especially if it is in your living room or kitchen. This is one excellent advantage of the closet office, as you can include cabinets and drawers along with your desk, and then close it away when not in use. You can also get creative about office storage, even using bookcases next to a stowaway desk.
Make it comfortable
Comfort doesn’t mean sitting on the couch all day! When you are working from home, it might be tempting to have a more relaxed approach, but this is not conducive to an ergonomic work environment, where you can stay focused for several hours. Some options to consider are a standing desk in a corner with a stool, and if you have an extra room, maybe even a large monitor.
One of the perks of working from home is that you can make your workspace your own, adding touches like plants, artwork, and your favorite colors.
