Home offices are hot! Nowadays, more and more people like to (or even have to) work from home. But what if you live in a small home, like me, and you don’t have an extra room available to create your home office? Here, you will find my best 12 home office ideas for small spaces.
4 Steps To Declutter And Organize Your Home Office
But before you start creating your home office, you’ll have to master the art of organization! Because the main thing that makes a small space feel smaller is clutter. Do you want to successfully keep a home office? Here are four tips to help you get started.
Step 1: Clear Everything Out
The first step in home office organization may be tedious, but it will be well worth it in the long run. Clear everything out-and I mean everything. Yes, that includes that one drawer you’re afraid to rummage through! Filter through every stack of paper, every drawer, and every nook and cranny. To truly transform a space, you have to start with a clean slate, and that means you have to pull out all of your clutter first.
Step 2: Put Same Category Materials Together
Once you’ve cleared out your space, it’s time to begin sorting through your stuff. This step will probably be the most time-consuming of your organization’s adventure. However, it will be well worth it in the end.
If you have more than one item of the same category, it’s best to put one of those items in storage or throw it away. Having more than one stapler or pair of scissors will only add to the clutter and make your office feel smaller. If you’re like me, and you have a lot of old electronics taking up space, check out this article on decluttering electronics to help you organize hardware, cords and cables!
If you’re on the fence about including an object in your home office, consider how much space it occupies. Are you trying to decide which lamp you want on your desk? Choose the smaller one! This will help you make the most of your home office.
Step 3: Find A Home For Everything (Especially For Categories of Papers)
It’s one thing to have a clean space in the beginning, but a poorly organized office will devolve into chaos in a matter of days. It doesn’t matter how spotless your desk looks on day one; if you don’t use proper organization techniques, it will be a nightmare again in less than a week. If you want your space to stay organized, it is important to designate a spot for everything. Make sure there is an order so that it is easier to clean up after a long day’s work. It’s not a good idea to keep a floating pile of papers around because it will only build over time. Find a specific place for each category of paper so you’ll never have to worry about stacks of paperwork piling up on your desk. I created this graphic to help you remember what papers you should hold onto and how long you need to keep them.
Step 4: Declutter Your Desk Every Day
Messes have a way of becoming overwhelming in a short amount of time. A cluttered environment is also not conducive to productivity. This is why you should close off every day by cleaning up your area. It will only take a few minutes, and you’ll be able to start fresh the next day. If you find yourself struggling with lots of paper clutter, this article on paper decluttering can help you get started!
Home Office Ideas For Small Spaces
Not everyone has a spacious house. For those of us who have to cram our office into a tiny space, creativity is key. One of the most important steps in making a small home office functional is finding ways to make the most of your space. Here are three tips to keep in mind when you are setting up your home office.
5) Consider An Office In A Corner
Many people place their desk against one wall. However, there are many desks that are specifically designed to fit into corners. These desks give you more space to work and store items. Using the corner of a room will also leave the rest of the room open, so you don’t have to worry about crowding a small space. Corner desks also give you extra legroom, so you won’t have to worry about feeling too cramped.
6) Utilize Wheeled Furniture
Wheeled furniture is a great way to make your desk or storage space portable. When you’re crammed into a small space, you might have to move things around during different parts of your day. It’s not uncommon for people with small homes to use the same room for multiple activities. For example, you might have to push your dining room table into the wall for part of the day so you have enough room to work at your desk. Investing in a wheeled desk and chair will makes it easier to clear out your home office when you’re done with work for the day.
7) Use the Walls
One of the most important home office ideas is to use the walls. No matter how large your desk is, you still only have so much room. Using your walls for storage is an effective way to make the most of your space. You can use your walls for calendars and schedules, and you can install shelves to place office items such as staplers, tape, paperclips, and scissors. This will help keep your desk clear of clutter so you have plenty of room to spread out and get some work done.
Creative and Alternative (Small) Home Office Ideas
When you live in a small home, it’s important to make the most of the space you have. If you don’t have a room designated for an office, you’ll have to get creative to find a space that works for you. Here are some alternative spaces you can transform into a small home office.
8) Transform A Big Closet Into A Home Office
Does your home have a large closet? This could become the perfect space for an office! You’ll probably want to clear out everything of course, but once you’ve emptied the space, you may find it’s roomier than you remember. A large closet is usually more than enough space for a small desk and filing cabinet. If it’s big enough, you can even close the door behind you, making for a cozy and private area. Just make sure the closet is well-lit and well-ventilated!
9) Consider Your Pantry As A Home Office
Most people wouldn’t think to use their pantry as a home office, but nearly any pantry can be effectively transformed into one! You may be surprised to learn that the practice is more common than you think. You can repurpose your pantry shelves for your office supplies, and you’ll have a private, cozy space to get your work done.
10) Revamp A Large Hallway Into A Home Office
If you’re lucky enough to have a wide hallway in your house, you may have just found the perfect space for your home office! You might have to be a bit more creative about using a corridor than some of the other spaces on this list, but it’ll do in a pinch. The key here is finding a desk that is long with a slim width. This will give you room to spread out your items without taking up too much of the hallways space. Of course, you’ll have to keep your office extra clean for when guests come over. At least it will give you more incentive to keep your desk organized!
11) Mold Your Basement into A Home Office
Many homes have a basement, and this can open up so many new possibilities for a home office. If you have an unfinished basement, you might be wary of setting up an office down there. However, you can always tack up a few sheets on the wall frames for added privacy. Most basements come with an extra room or two, meaning basement offices are more common than you might think.
12) Have You Thought About Your Attic As A Home Office?
Even a tiny attic can be an ideal spot for a home office. After all, you only need a few square feet. If your attic is mainly used for storage, you can always clear out a corner or part of a wall. Of course, you might want to consider bringing up a fan for those warm summer months.
BONUS: Consider To Transform Your Garage Into A Home Office
If it’s spacious enough, and you can’t find any space else in your house for an office, you could even consider using your garage. If your garage is anything like mine, you’ll probably have quite a bit of clutter to move out of the way. Here you’ll find an article on decluttering and organizing your garage. However, if you’re really interested in your garage as a home office, you’ll have to invest in isolating and decorating the space to transform it into a cozy office space.
Hopefully, I’ve inspired you with these home office ideas for small spaces. Which one did you like best?
MORE DECLUTTER & ORGANIZE TIPS
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- Brilliant Tips For Kids’ Clothes Organization (When You Live In a Small Home)
« Free 2021 Printable Calendar To Help You Get and Stay Organized
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