How to Create an Office Space at Home?

Now that it’s clear that working from home is here to stay, it’s time to create a permanent office space in your home, perfectly tailored to your needs, to truly maximize your productivity – even if you’re limited on space. 

But why is creating an office space so important? Designating a specific area of the home as your ‘workspace’ triggers an automatic mental association between said area and your ability to focus; as soon as you step inside, your mind will treat work as its main priority; as soon as you step out, your mind will relax – allowing both your breaks and the time outside of your working day to be spent more purposefully. No matter how much space you have inside your home, this article will be full of ideas to turn your house into your ideal working space! 

Where Will Your ‘Office’ Be?

For some, this will be an easy question. If you have a spare room in your property –an empty bedroom now your children have flown the nest or an old guestroom you never use – this will be the obvious choice! But for those strapped for space, the solution might be less obvious. 

Whilst you might not have the space to dedicate an entire room to your workspace, you can easily replicate an office environment in the smallest of spaces. Think outside of the box a little. Working at the kitchen table is a practical short-term solution but doesn’t provide you with a good opportunity to disconnect once the working day is over; no one would be able to unwind eating their dinner on their office desk! Instead, search for spaces in your home that you can repurpose. An unused alcove can quickly become a workstation once a large shelf or workbench is added. Rather than letting it just gather dust, drop down desks can easily be installed within one of your long-forgotten cupboards. You can also add a modern shed in your garden and use that as your workspace. Rely on your creativity to locate a space which can be easily transformable.

If possible, the bedroom should be avoided as a workspace. Ideally, it should be a sanctuary away from the laptop for you to retire to in the evening and truly disconnect from the working day. However, if you live in a house share, this may not be possible. One suggestion to combat both problems is to invest in a visual divider between the two spaces to ease creating more of a distinction between the area in which you relax and the area in which you work. Draping a tapestry or curtain between your workspace and the rest of the room will help to create a feeling of separation.

What Does Your Ideal Workspace Look Like?

Everybody has unique styles when it comes to working; different people thrive in different environments. Whilst offices tend to encourage bland uniformity, working from home gives you the opportunity to create a work environment which is truly tailored to you and your personal style.

If you hate clutter, take a minimalist approach. A lick of bright white paint will transform any area of your house into a minimalist haven, allowing you to focus on the things that really matter. Ensure your desk has plenty of drawers underneath – this will allow you to hide away anything you might need throughout the day whilst keeping your desk looking sleek and clear of any clutter.

If you prefer to add a personal touch, don’t forget to decorate the walls of your workspace. Adding photos of loved ones can really motivate you, reminding you of what you are working for. Pictures of dream destinations or upcoming trips can provide an extra boost too, helping you to look forward to what’s ahead. 

If you were always found gathered around the coffee station in the office, why not incorporate your favorite treats into your new workspace? Setting up a tea, coffee or snack station nearby will allow you to take more frequent but – importantly – shorter breaks, boosting your energy and then helping you to get straight back to work without distractions.

Make sure that you also get good ergonomic furniture for your office space like an adjustable standing desk or ergonomic chair. This will make sure that you are comfortable while working at home.

Visualize your ideal day at work. Is there anything missing from your current workspace which is needed to make this perfect day a reality? If so, make sure to fill these absences when creating your new work from home office setup – both you and your boss will thank you later!