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Are you looking for small-home office ideas? These tips will help you create a small-home office that will inspire you every day. Are you ready to get organized, stay focused and accomplish more work? Read on…
EM CREATIVE CO.
Our world is chaotic right now. Everyone is working from home, which makes it more and more important to carve out a piece of home for your office. A home office doesn’t have to take up a lot of space. Today, I’m going to help you create a stylish small home office that will help you get organized, and inspire you as you work from home.
Why You Need a Home Office
Working from home is challenging. Not only do you have to worry about being productive, but laundry is piling up, kids are hungry, the dog needs out, there are numerous distractions at home. Not to mention, today’s world of quarantines and social distancing, we are now practically spending all of our time at home, cooped up with our family. I believe a home office, space where you can retreat and be productive, is even more important now than ever before. Don’t you agree?
Carving out a small home office provides an opportunity for you to get organized, stay focused and accomplish more work. Treat this space as a retreat, a place where you can go to rejuvenate and get re inspired. Separating your home office from the rest of your house will help make you more efficient and productive with your work time.
I know from experience, I work much better when I am sitting in my office focused on work tasks for a set period of the day. What are your thoughts, do you feel that you are more productive when you have a dedicated workspace in your home?
em creative co.
How to Carve Out a Small Home Office Space in Your Home
Recently, I sat down to read, Homebody, by Joanna Gaines. In the book, Joanna provides a few simple tips for carving out a “room to retreat.” The same principles apply to designate a office space in your house. Here are a few takeaways from the book,
Look for overlooked nooks and crannies that can serve a new purpose, such as a small home office.
1) Spare closet. Turn your spare closet into a “cloffice.” A cloffice is a closet turned office. They make the perfect small office workspaces. My first home office was a “cloffice.”
2) Garage. Do you use your garage? Have you ever thought about turning it into an office? I have seen several examples of garages being transformed into incredible office spaces. If you’re not utilizing your garage, why not turn it into an office?
3) Alternative spaces. Even if you don’t have a workspace in your home that you can dedicate as a small home office, carve out a space that you equate with work. Set-up a small desk in your spare bedroom, place a desk behind your living room sofa, or use a vintage secretary’s desk and fold it up when you’re not working.
There are so many alternatives to your traditional home office. Get creative. I challenge you to take a step back and look at your home. We often have preconceived notions about each room, how it “should” be used. In reality, this use may not be the best use for the space. Take a moment, step back, and reevaluate your floor plan. Do you have an area in your home that you can carve out to use as an office space?
How to Set-up a Small Home Office Space
Furniture, storage, and lighting are three of the most important things to consider when setting up your home office. Furnishings you will need, at minimum, include;
- desk
- comfortable work chair
Go low profile for your desk in a small office space. Use simple, sleek lines, or a leggy desk to keep your small space from being overwhelmed by your desk.
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A comfortable work chair is also important. Choose a chair that has style and provides support.
Next, if you have room, bring in multi-functional pieces. A trunk or storage ottoman provides additional seating and extra office storage.
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Lighting is critical in a small home office. Natural light keeps spirits high and increases productivity. According to an article by HCM Architects, some benefits of natural light in an office include;
- reduced eye strain
- fewer headaches
- improved mood
- less drowsiness
- fewer mistakes
Task lighting is also important in your home office. Good task lighting is key to working in the evening, or at night.
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In a small home office space, organization is key. Incorporate wall mounted shelves, or bookcases to organize your space vertically and help eliminate clutter. Inexpensive, uniform boxes can help manage supplies while maintaining a tidy look. Keep your desk free from clutter, it will help increase productivity and focus.
Here are a few more tips to think about when setting up your office. Add a mirror. Mirrors help reflect light around the office and will help it appear larger. Use simple blinds or no window treatments in a small space. No draperies. Plants add a natural element to your office. I recently wrote a blog post discussing the importance of incorporating plants into your home.
How to Decorate a Small Home Office
As you plan your small home office design, take into consideration the room. Will your workspace, be a full-time home office, or will it double as a bedroom, living room, kitchen or dining room? If your room serves multiple functions, choose furniture that is not too “office-y.” If you plan to use a “cloffice,” you may want to build your workspace into the closet.
Get creative as you furnish your office space. Mix and match furniture styles to create an eclectic space, and don’t forget to accessorize. Bring in art, use storage boxes, baskets, and decorative trays to help you stay organized.
Tips to Make Your Small Home Office Look Bigger
If you would like your small space to appear larger, paint your walls a light, bright color, like Benjamin Moore Simply White.
Introducing a simple color palette, like a monochromatic color scheme, makes your small home office appear larger. A monochromatic color scheme is one, single color and its varying shades. It adds a smooth, elegant color scheme to your space. Two alternatives to white are either restful green or calming blue monochromatic scheme. Green and blue increase productivity and focus, and create an overall sense of well-being.
Finally, three more quick design tips to make your home office appear larger.
- Incorporate furniture with simple, similar lines to provide a restful space.
- Keep furnishings to a minimum, utilize wall space so you have plenty of room to walk around in your office.
- Minimize the use of patterns.
I hope these tips have motivated you to create a office, that will keep you inspired, every day. It’s time to get organized, and focused so that you can accomplish more work!
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