If you work from home or have a side gig that requires you to put in a few hours outside of the office, you’re probably longing for a home office space. The problem? You might not have a separate bedroom where you can set one up. But don’t let a lack of space stop you. Whether you’ve got a remote gig or just prefer a home space to get some work done, here are five tips for creating a productive space where you can thrive.
1. Figure out your setup.
Your very first task is figuring out exactly what setup you need. Do you just need a flat surface where your laptop can rest? Or do you want multiple desktops and a printer to help you design websites?
“Start with the writing surface that works best and let your storage needs dictate the furniture. Adjustable furniture pieces or wall shelves are ideal to customize your storage needs,”
says Tenecia Harris, a New York City-based interior designer and real estate agent.
For a smaller space, she recommends opting for a desk with plenty of drawers or buying a few bookcases to hold everything. Avoid heavy filing cabinets as they can make the space look cluttered.
Try using a corner for your office, suggests Robyn Reynolds, a professional organizer based in
Los Angeles who owns
Organize2Harmonize.
2. Keep the space distraction free.
Unlike in an office environment, where your desk might be littered with personal effects, you’ll want to keep only essential items on your desk at home. Aim for just your computer, a pencil cup, and a lamp.
“This isn’t to say it can’t be personalized to showcase personality, but it also shouldn’t invite multi-usage like a key/bag drop or a mealtime gathering spot. Set up other areas in the apartment for those things,” says Harris.
3. Consider your desk orientation.
If your desk faces the window, will you always be daydreaming? Will staring at the wall all day drive you, well, up the wall? Set it up so you’ll thrive in the environment, suggests Harris. Ditch a dividing wall, however. Those can take up too much room and draw attention to the home office, she says.
4. Blend the office in with your home.
“The difference between a home office and a commercial one is that a home office must blend in the residential environment surrounding it. Ideally, when it’s not in use, it doesn’t scream ‘This is an office!,’” says Harris.
Harris recommends getting creative with office storage supplies to help the office blend in with the rest of your home. Use a vase or a beer stein to hold pens. Store paperclips and pushpins in votive candle holders. Hide papers in a basket or in bins on a shelf when not in use. If you’re using binders, Harris suggests buying ones in colors that match the rest of your home’s décor.
5. Make it your own.
“The home office should be inviting and stimulating,” says Harris. “Whether someone works at home part-time or full-time, the goal is to be productive. Just like with any design, the most important step in designing a home office is to be honest about what you do and how you do it. Creating the office you think it should be isn’t going to work for you if isn’t the space you need to do the work.”
[tweetthis]Create the best #office space for your apartment with these helpful tips! #productivity[/tweetthis]
For more ways to decorate your apartment,
check out this helpful décor post on ForRent.com.
