While hybrid and remote work become increasingly common there is a growing demand for a practical and effective home office space. However, many of us face the dilemma of having limited space within our homes.
Creating an effective home office that is both practical and inspiring requires strategic planning and creative solutions. The following blog will cover multiple space saving solutions that can be implemented to create an efficient and aesthetically pleasing home office space.
Maximise Vertical Space
Making the most of vertical space is a great way to maximise storage in a small room. Vertical storage is ideal for expanding the appearance of space in a room as it allows you to store supplies and decor, without using unnecessary floor space.
Wall-mounted shelving is particularly beneficial as they have straightforward installation and can provide easily accessible storage space. Tall bookshelves also make a great addition in an office as they provide ample wall storage whilst taking up minimal floor space. Shelving and bookshelves are ideal for storing books, files and supplies, whilst also creating a decorative display in your office by combining ornaments and decor pieces.
Choose Multifunctional Furniture
Multifunctional furniture pieces, that serve dual purposes, can be a lifesaver for increasing the efficiency of a small office space and making the most of your available space.
Desks with built in storage, like drawers and shelves, are ideal for keeping workspaces clear and clutter free. Not only is this helpful for improving productivity and reducing stress, but a tidy desk improves the appearance of space within an office.
Furthermore, if you’re particularly tight on space within your home office, foldable desks are a great option. These desks can be folded away when not in use to save on floor space. This is ideal for creating a multi-use office space that doubles up as a guest room. Many foldable desks also have built-in storage space that is concealed when the desk is folded away, making them great for creating a clutter-free space.
Use Corners Wisely
In a small office it is important to make the most of every inch of space, this includes making good use of corners. Using corners wisely can go a long way in making a productive use of overlooked space within your office.
A corner desk is ideal for making use of corner space within an office as it creates a spacious and efficient workspace, whilst freeing up other areas of the office for alternative storage. In addition, an L-shaped desk is an ergonomic choice as it allows the easy viewing of multiple monitors when seated at your desk, reducing neck and back strains.
Ergonomic Flow
Even in small spaces comfort matters so it is important not to neglect your office’s ergonomics by investing in well-designed office furniture and creating an ergonomic office layout.
Investing in an ergonomic desk and chair is crucial for maintaining an ideal posture whilst working and preventing strains and injury. For instance, an adjustable height desk helps to prevent slouching, which reduces back pain, headaches and digestive issues. Similarly, an ergonomic desk chair, with adjustable arm and head rests, lumbar support and back rests, helps to prevent the development of musculoskeletal injuries.
Office layout is equally as important for ergonomics, this involves positioning your desk, chair and monitors correctly, to create a comfortable layout. A corner desk is typically the best ergonomically as it allows you to place your monitors either side of the corner and place your keyboard in the centre of the monitors to reduce strain on the neck. In addition, monitors must be placed at eye-level and about an arm’s length away from the user to prevent neck-pain and eyestrain. Monitor stands are a good investment for ensuring your monitor is at the correct level.
When planning your office layout, always consider the swing of your internal door. Positioning your desk or main furniture pieces too close to the door’s arc can create an awkward flow, obstruct entry, or even prevent the door from fully opening. Aim to place your desk parallel or perpendicular to the wall with the door, ensuring clear access and maximising the functional space within the room.
Avoid working from your bedroom
If you have a small home, you may struggle to create a dedicated office space. To combat this, you can make use of unused space, by utilising the corner of a guest bedroom or an area of your living space. With the correct planning these spaces can make an effective and productive office space.
However, there are some areas of the home that shouldn’t be used as an office space, in particular bedrooms. It is important to avoid bringing work into your bedroom at all costs as maintaining a separate dedicated sleep space is crucial for getting a good night’s sleep and working in your bedroom can hinder relaxation. In addition, you may find that by placing your office in your bedroom you struggle to concentrate, which can hinder productivity.
To conclude, creating a small office space is more than achievable and is becoming increasingly more essential as remote working increases. Implementing creative space-saving solutions can help to maximise comfort and improve productivity to create an efficient home office space.