Small Home Office Design Tips

Working from home can be chaotic. Kids, spouses, and pets serve as constant distractions while you sit at the kitchen table trying to work. You need a home office. Regardless if you have a smaller space, a quiet place to work is essential.

The fun part about setting up a home office is it gives you a chance to design something comfortable for you, even if it means working with less space than you would like. Your design plans should factor in:

Ready to create a home office that is comfortable and productive? Roll up your sleeves and dig into these home office design tips.

Not every home has a dedicated space for an office. If you don’t have an office in your home, look for spots to turn into an office. For example, a guest room that you rarely use. This would be a prime space for you to take over.

If you don’t have a spare room, consider what you need to choose the right location in your home. Do you need an area to meet with clients or conduct video meetings? Does the noise from your family’s daily activities distract you? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you locate the right area in your home to create an office space.

Lighting in your office is essential. You want enough to avoid straining your eyes. The best source is natural light. According to Healthline.com, if you suffer from seasonal depression, the natural sun can keep you from getting the wintertime blues. You can also get some much-needed vitamin D into your system.

You don’t have to have a large picture window to let light in. Add in a few well-placed mirrors to reflect the sunlight around your room, while giving the illusion of a larger space. If you have heavy drapes, you might consider ditching them and using sheer fabrics or even blinds instead.

When creating or updating your home office, color can make a huge difference. You want to choose an inspiring and motivating color and not one that makes your office feel tiny. Beige is a common choice because of its neutrality. However, it can be boring and, for some, make it difficult to focus.

Although darker colors are stylish, they may not be the best choice for your office. Stick to shades that you find soothing and inspiring.

The layout of your office is almost as important as the location. You should always start with the larger pieces of furniture, especially your desk. You need something functional for your job. Picking your desk isn’t the only challenge. You need to select the right spot for your desk.

You don’t want it to be in a place where the sun glares on your computer screen. At the same time, you might not want to turn your desk to the wall as a blank wall can be boring to stare at. Instead, face it where you can see out a window.

You need to also be aware of the surroundings in your office. Suppose you have to take a lot of video meetings. In that case, you don’t want to have distracting things in view.

Keep in mind that you may have to be extra vigilant about organizing if your space doesn’t leave room for a large desk. Keep the surface of your desk clear for a computer monitor or laptop. Add shelves, baskets, or a pegboard to store or hang supplies.

When setting up your home office, determine the layout and flow. Make sure to consider the items that you use on a daily basis. The idea is to get pieces that will fulfill those needs so that you can work without stress.

With a home office, you have the freedom to make your space comfortable and inviting. Keep your style preferences in mind when picking out new pieces of furniture. You don’t have to settle for the office cubicle feel to have functionality, even if your office is on the smaller side.

Spruce up your space by adding a little bit of greenery. Having nature around can make your area feel happier and a little healthier too. Clear an opening for an indoor herb garden, or add a bonsai tree to your desk. You can add pictures of fields or lakes to make it feel like you’re outdoors. It will help to reduce stress while increasing your energy level.

A benefit of working from home is that you can make your home office feel cozy. You don’t have to have the sterile office feeling as you would by being onsite. You can add dashes of style that make you feel comfortable. Don’t go crazy on decorating, but be sure to add some homey touches.