Working from home doesn’t sound too bad. After all, there’s no morning traffic to worry about, and you can make lunch in your own kitchen. But once you are home with your computer and monitors, you may look around your apartment and wonder where to set everything up. The kitchen table? A folding table in front of the couch? Could a small section of the kitchen counter, next to the coffee pot and sugar bowl, really be the only available space?
Don’t worry. With some planning, you can create a terrific office in your apartment. Let’s think outside of the box a bit. What about that closet or unused nook? Believe it or not, that space would make a perfect workspace. Let’s plan it, organize it, and personalize it. And when you’re done, you’ll have a great spot for working from home.
Step One: Make a Plan
First, clear all of the clutter from the closet or nook. Give the spot a good cleaning, then think about how you want the space to function. Take measurements and plan a layout. Before you start ordering furniture and whatnot online, take a look around your apartment. You probably have plenty of things that can be repurposed for your new office. Look for baskets, containers, and other accessories you can use in the space. Think about storage, lighting, and access to outlets.
Consider recycling some items. The oatmeal container you just emptied might be perfect for holding office supplies, or that empty salsa jar could be used as a pen holder. Shoe boxes are great for storage, and they stack easily on top of one another. You can decoupage everything to match using wrapping paper.
Step Two: Come Up with a Design
The most important thing in your new workspace will be, of course, your desk. See what you have that might work in the space: a small desk or table, some plastic storage bins and a door, a couple of filing cabinets and a platform – whatever works. Keep in mind that your workspace doesn’t have to be large. You only need a place for your computer and whatever else you like having close at hand while you work (phone and water bottle, for example). If you don’t have anything that could serve as your desk, you could order something specifically for the space (just make sure you take exact measurements first).
Once you’ve determined what you will use for your desk, things should start looking up (and you should, too). If your closet already has an upper shelf, this is perfect for baskets and storage bins. Now, about the back wall. If you are used to working in a cube, then you might want to get some pegboard or corkboard to hang there. That way, you can clip your notes and reminders to it. It’s starting to feel like a real office!
The sides of the closet are perfect for additional storage. Think about adding some organizers or installing some floating shelves.
Next, you’ll need a chair. Hopefully, you have one that might work. If you don’t have a traditional office chair or the space won’t accommodate one, consider using a dining chair with some added cushions for comfort, a parson’s chair, a stool, or even a bench.
Step Three: Get Organized
With such a small space, it’s important to stay organized. Consider using an over-the-door organizer (such as a shoe or spice holder) to give you more places to store smaller items. Use three-ring binders with pockets to organize bills and paperwork. Don’t add too many extra accessories – keep your work space as clear as possible or you might find it cluttered or distracting.
Step Four: Make It Your Own
Make your office space your own! Love pink? Add some splashes of color here and there! A rug is an attractive way to define your space and it protects the floor from your office chair’s legs. A table lamp will give you some light for your workspace and add a nice design element. Find some great fabric and use that to conceal clutter and add a pop of color.
There! You’ve managed to create a terrific space for your home office, and you can still have lunch at your dining room table. Even if you are only working from home temporarily and plan to return to an office at some point, you can continue to use this space as a home office, convert it into a tiny craft studio, or set up your gaming computer and use it as a small entertainment area.
