How to Create a Small Home Office with Limited Space

Homeowners who work remotely will need a home office. Sometimes, a residential home or apartment has limited space. When space is tight and work needs are pressing, property owners can find workarounds. Here are ways to create a functional home office in a small area.

1. Find a nook

The first step in creating a small home office in a limited space is to find an appropriate nook. Ideally, this place will be quiet and have limited distractions. A property owner should be able to accomplish work tasks without disruptions—making finding the right space paramount.

Someone who lives in a home with multiple bedrooms has plenty of home office location options. Simply turn one of the unused bedrooms into a functional office space. Or, if the home is a studio apartment, consider setting up room partitions to separate the work and living spaces.

The empty space under the stairs can be transformed into a small office. A hallway offers plenty of horizontal space for a creative home office. A walk-in closet or wardrobe area can be updated to serve work needs. In such tight spaces, every inch is put to good use.

The office nook should be a quiet one. This means finding a space where other householders do not normally congregate. Avoid setting up the office in the center of the busy kitchen, for instance. A functional home office keeps the professional and personal life separate.

2. Install equipment

A computer, office accessories, and a printer will need a desk upon which to sit. When looking for desks, choose one that maximizes the limited office space. Homeowners have multiple options: L-shaped desks that fit into corners, writing desks propped against the wall, or floating desks.

A flip-down desk can be made upright when not in use. Consider that spaces can have multiple uses. A dressing table in the guest bedroom can double as a work desk. Alternately, turn a nightstand, dining table or coffee table into a temporary or permanent workstation.

In small nooks with laminate flooring, add a faux fur rug to soften up the workspace. Keep office supplies, such as staples and paperclips, nearby. Divide drawers, reuse jars, or utilize hanging hooks to create inventive storage spaces for the office supplies.

Even when the space is small, a home office should feature ergonomic office furniture. Opt for a chair with back support. Ideally, the chair’s height will keep the user at eye level with the computer screen. This setup promotes healthy blood flow and reduces back and shoulder problems.

A small office space may prompt homeowners to use a desk chair that doubles as dining room seating. No matter what type of chair is utilized in a small home office, it should slide easily under the desk. For this reason, avoid choosing a wide office chair with bulky armrests.

3. Utilize vertical space

A small workstation may have limited horizontal space. Workers, however, can efficiently utilize the ample vertical space. The full height of the wall can be used for shelving. Drawers can be stacked. Repurpose the area below the desk and optimize storage space.

4. Add lighting

Natural or artificial lighting is important in a small home office, especially for those who work long hours at the desk. Two sources of light are recommended: a main light and a desk lamp. Combine overhead lights with adjustable lamps for ample lighting in the small area.

If practical, set up the home office near a window. Exposure to sunlight is important for not only physical but emotional well-being. Sunlight gives the body a healthy dose of vitamin D, while helping workers feel emotionally charged and alert.

5. Organize cables

A home office will be fitted with technology, from computers to printers. Electronics will cause a chaotic clutter of cables. Keep productivity up by maintaining a clean, clutter-free work environment. Tuck the cables away behind the walls. Prevent tangled cables by using bread clips.

6. Limit distractions

A small home office may have limited desk space. Nevertheless, it is important to keep essentials nearby. A water bottle or coffee mug, for instance, takes up minimal desk space, but keeps the worker refreshed throughout the workday. A visit to the kitchen, on the other hand, can be distracting.

7. Add accessories

House plants are perfect office accessories. Potted plants add visual interest as well as introduce a continual supply of oxygen to the home office space. Plants help to keep the home office user calm, as a result. Consider adding vertical shelving for the plants if desk space is limited.

While the smallest home or apartment can be creatively transformed to accommodate a home office, your company may be planning to relocate to a bigger or smaller facility. If so, choose a top-notch commercial mover, like Chicago Office Movers. We help companies of all sizes relocate successfully.

Work with a Commercial Mover

A corporate move requires months of planning. At Chicago Office Movers, we’ll support you throughout the relocation process. Our experienced specialists offer advice and planning strategies. Moving crews are available to both pack and unpack office goods. We also provide short- and long-term storage.

Your office move will be handled with utmost care by our licensed, union movers. We have experience safely relocating a variety of delicate office goods, including IT systems, science lab equipment, and fragile electronics. We move office furniture of all sizes, as well as machinery and cubicles.

Working with Chicago Office Movers ensures that your business resumes operations in a timely manner. Disruptions to employee productivity are minimal when our movers handle the packing for you. Once at the new destination, our efficient unpacking services have your company back up and running fast.

Contact Us

Choose Chicago Office Movers for your upcoming office relocation and join the ranks of our countless satisfied corporate customers, like Northwestern University and Alcatel Lucent. We facilitate a smooth office relocation that stays within budget and on schedule.

Contact us today at 312-244-2246 for a free estimate.