How to Create A Home Office

With the changing world around us, a lot of people are now working from home. If you have a designated office you are lucky, but for some, you look round your home and think there’s just no spare space for a home office.

Odds are that the space is there, you just need to find it.

So, whether you are just trying to squeeze in a small desk or a fully equipped workspace, all it takes to carve out your area is some creativity and perhaps a little bit of elbow grease. To help you get started, these ideas might be just the inspiration you need to create your small home office:

 1. Change the layout - Simply by moving or switching the layout of your living room or bedroom, you will find a nook to set up a desk. This might mean your bed is closer to the wall or your sofa is no longer in the perfect position, but it will create an area where work begins and home life pauses.

2. Convert a cupboard – If you have a spare cupboard or a walk-in wardrobe that has some free space you can utilise the small space by sourcing a narrow, low profile desk. The shelving can make room for your consumables, files, and even a printer. The best part is that when it is time to quit working for the day, shut the door and keep your temporary office out of sight.

3. Add privacy with a curtain or room divider - You can cordon off part of a larger room for your home office using a curtain or room divider. The "wall" spans the width of the space, and when closed it separates the work area from the living room. This will give you the much-needed home/work life separation you need when bringing your office into your home, albeit temporarily.

4. Storage, Storage, Storage - Your workspace needs to make the most of every precious inch and when built-in storage is not an option you can make do with stackable baskets or boxes that are both neat and tidy, and still easily accessible when you need something.

For the unseasoned, working from home can be tough. It takes dedication and focus in an environment where there are likely to be many distractions. If you have kids, it’s important that they understand that when you are in your workspace you’re there to focus on your job, not brokering a peace deal over whose turn it is on the i-Pad. Having a dedicated workspace ensures your office does not spill over into your family areas, and that you do not find yourself working in spaces that are less than ideal physically (working from bed is a big no-no for your posture). Above all, create a space that you’re happy in; Working in an area that you hate will see you taking advantages of those distractions every chance you get!