More and more of us are working from home, with the Covid-19 pandemic dictating remote working all over the UK.
And that means more and more of us are creating home offices, too – sometimes in small and inventive spaces.
A home office is not only a comfortable and functional space to work from, though – it could also add value to your property and entice buyers.
Here, we’ll inspire you with some brilliant home office set-ups, and explain how you can create your own home office for the long term…
How do I set up a small home office?
The most important thing with any home office, regardless of size, is that it’s comfortable for you to work in.
It also needs to ‘feel’ like a work environment and creating some form of separation from the rest of your property is key – even though that’s not always easy if you live in a small property.
Here are our top-five tips for setting up your home office…
1. Make use of every inch of space
Comfort is key, both for mind and body, so try to utilise your space well and design the kind of office environment you’re used to working in.
If you’re creating your home office in a tight space, the type of desk you go for will dictate how much room you’re left with for other items.
To make the best use of the space you have, you could consider:
• An L-shaped desk to slot into a corner
• A floating desk to open up the floor space
• A desk that allows you to both stand and sit
2. Create separation from ‘home’
Working from home can sometimes be a challenge – after all, there are plenty of distractions and reasons to procrastinate when working remotely.
But not only that, it’s also important that work doesn’t infiltrate your home life and that you’re able to separate the two and shut ‘work’ away at the end of each day.
Try to create an office space that can be ‘closed off’ from the rest of the house – even if your desk is in a room used for other aspects of family life.
A great way to create that feeling of separation is by utilising nooks rather than placing your desk in the middle of a room.
3. Organise and stay clear of clutter
Effective storage is hugely important when creating an office space.
Without adequate storage, desks can become out of control – which not only affects your productivity but also takes up vital space.
Think about the best storage solutions for the space you have and tidy your desk at the end of each day so clutter doesn’t get out of hand.
4. Make the most of light
One big downside of home offices in smaller spaces can be a lack of natural light.
Try to find an area of your home where light is encouraged to come through, as this will help your space feel bigger and encourage greater productivity.
And if you can place your desk facing a window, do so ¬– a glance outside every 10 minutes will give your eyes a nice break from your screen.
5. Use height to your advantage
While smaller offices may lack floor space, they shouldn’t lack height.
So, use that height to your advantage when it comes to storage solutions by installing stacked drawers or shelves that use the full height of your space.
How much does it cost to set up a home office?
If you’re creating a home office from scratch, you’ll need to establish a budget to set it up.
These are the things you might need to start with, along with some projected costs…
|
Item |
Potential cost |
|
Desk or workstation |
£100 – £1,000 |
|
Office chair |
£50 – £200 |
|
Computer / laptop |
£250 – £2,000 |
|
Printer |
£20 – £100 |
|
Storage |
£50 – £200 |
|
Lighting |
£10 – £100 |
Where should I put my home office?
Finding a suitable space for your home office is key to both productivity and comfort.
Most home offices are set up in spare bedrooms, where available, but you can also get creative with locations, too.
Other potential spots for a home office include:
• A stair landing
• A nook underneath the stairs
• A built-in or walk-in wardrobe
Home office ideas and inspiration
Creating a home office isn’t just about comfort and functionality – it’s also possible to create a really stylish and enviable space that inspires creativity.
Such is the rise and rise of home working in the UK, you may find that more than one member of your household is seeking space for a home office.
Small home office ideas for tight spaces
With a little imagination, it’s possible to squeeze an office into a whole range of small spaces.
Spaces under stairs are also superb spots for a home office – especially in smaller properties where square footage is tight.
Useful home office accessories
There are a whole host of clever accessories you can introduce in your home office to both save space and aid comfort.
Creating the right mood with home office lighting
If you’re able to place your home office close to a window or skylight, you’ll benefit hugely from the additional natural light.
But if your space is smaller, you may have to rely on lighting solutions to create the right ambiance in your home office.
Further reading…
If you’re thinking of buying a new property, there are a whole host of things you should look out for when on a viewing – we’ve outlined everything you need to know alongside some key new home essentials.
And if some renovations are on your agenda, here are 10 easy DIY jobs to get you started.
