Working from home can feel like a domestic hot-desking situation, shifting from room to room around the house. It can prove difficult to keep track of daily notes, important papers, charging cables, and forever-vanishing stationery. In an ideal world, we’d have a dedicated home office room, but this isn’t always possible. Space is at a premium, and there are many members of the household to consider. With that said, maybe you don’t need a whole room exactly… Here are a few of our favourite ideas for squeezing in a small home office space.
Understairs Workspace
Reclaim lost square footage with an understairs workspace! The area under the stairs is often overlooked as usable space. It’s typically reduced to a place to stash shoes and coats or is disused altogether. But what, at first glance, seems like an awkward-shaped nook is an ideal spot to situate a desk and a few shelves. A slimline desk chair can be tucked in tight when not in use or returned to an adjacent living room.
Create a Cupboard Cubicle
A spacious alcove beside a chimney breast can offer an ideal spot to create a concealed cupboard office cubicle. With the doors open, you’re instantly in business with access to a dedicated desk space and storage shelves above. When the working day is done, you don’t have to worry about tidying off your worktop like you would the dining table, close the doors and get on with your evening. Be sure to tuck electrical sockets and a lamp in there, too.
Make a Kitchen-home Office Combo
Solo-working parents will see the advantages of combining the home office with the kitchen, with dinners to prepare around working overtime. However, this desk area shouldn’t be in the midst of the action where grease and spills can wreak havoc. This design works best in a separate nook against the wall, where shelves or a pegboard can be mounted for organisation. Employ the kitchen cabinets that are nearby to store oversized office items.
Creating a permanent spot to work from home each day helps separate your job from your home life. Even a mini home office can significantly improve your state of mind and your life balance.
If you’re considering a larger home that can accommodate a more luxurious home office, check out listings in our auction directory.