A home office has to inspire focus and efficiency. This often means having enough room to move around and do tasks comfortably.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of dedicating an entire room to a work-from-home setup. The good news is there are space-maximising tricks to turn a compact workstation into a functional space you can feel your most productive.
Why maximising home office space is important
Your working environment can affect productivity. This mainly has to do with physical comfort. Generally, having more room to move around freely can help you produce your best work.
It’s not surprising that a cramped workspace can make you feel stuck and distracted, while a spacious home office can motivate you to get more work done.
How to maximise your home office space
Effective space planning and management are keys to a well-designed small home office that promotes productivity. To create your dream work-from-home setup and optimise your space, follow these tips:
Plan your workspace
A thoughtfully planned work-from-home setup can make you productive even with limited space.
During planning, prioritise choosing the right location. Ideally, your workspace has to be somewhere isolated and distraction-free.
If you don’t have a spare room to convert into a home office, tap the potential of underutilised nooks, like your closet, loft, or the space under the stairs. This will let you create a dedicated workspace without having to make major changes to your building design and layout.
Remember that setting up a space-efficient home office takes a trained eye. So if you need help designing and building your workstation, consider hiring a draftsman and a designer. Working with professionals will ensure you’ll enjoy a visually appealing and functional home office.
Add fresh paint
Colours change the perception of spaces and bring a sense of roominess. That said, a fresh coat of paint is ideal if you have a tiny home office.
Go for light colours, particularly white. These reflect natural light and create the illusion of more space, making your workspace look and feel larger.
Take advantage of natural light
A home office with lots of natural light can promote better health by improving sleep quality and reducing headaches and eye strain. Plus, natural light can make your workstation seem more spacious.
When designing a windowless spot, invest in lighting that doesn’t take up too much space, such as recessed LED lighting. This ambient lighting illuminates the entire room and prevents shadows. Layer it with a clamp lamp for task lighting that frees up desktop space.
Add a mirror
Hanging up a mirror in your tiny home office creates the illusion of a window. This design trick lets the light reflect light around, making the space feel bigger and more open.
The same principle applies to adding glossy surfaces. So if you’re getting a desk or cabinets, look for those with this type of finish or made in glass.
Make your desk multifunctional
Every square foot counts when you have limited space. Adding a desk may even make your workspace overcrowded.
To avoid this issue, opt for multifunctional furniture that can be turned into a work table. A console table, dining table, console table, or nightstand are just some that can double as a work desk.
Using a wall-mounted desk is also a great way to maximise home office space. You may also install a folding table that fits into a corner and can easily be tucked away when you’re not using it.
Install wall-mounted storage
Creating storage space is possible even in a humble home office nook. If you don’t have room for a file cabinet or a desk with drawers, make the most use of your walls by installing wall-mounted storage solutions. The best thing about this is that you can mount different furniture, like shelves and cabinets.
Another space-saving option is to invest in vertical storage, such as filing cabinets or shelves. Using storage that goes all the way up the walls frees up floor space while giving plenty of room for office supplies.
Get rid of clutter
A desk overflowing with paper scraps and coffee cups may suggest that you’re a creative genius. But sometimes, a messy workspace may simply be a reflection of chaos. Besides hogging up space, it might make ticking off items on your to-do list more challenging and time-consuming.
According to a study, our brains prefer order. Visual reminders of disorder reduce our ability to focus. On the flip side, a clutter-free desk may help improve focus and process information, boosting productivity.
That said, regularly tidying up your home office is important. Keeping clutter at bay means clearing out distractions. This will also help you make more room for office supplies.
Hide messy cables and cords
A modern home office has lots of electrical cords and cables. While these don’t take up too much space, they can make your workspace look cluttered and smaller.
Because of this, prioritise effective cable management by using power strips, cable ties, cable racks, or adhesive cable clips. Opting for wireless equipment is also perfect for minimising the appearance of cords and cables. This tip will keep your space neat and prevent you from tripping over tangled-up cords.
Embrace minimalism
When it comes to home office design, sometimes, less is more. Going overboard can lead to unnecessary clutter, which can make the workspace look and feel cramped.
Maximise home office space by embracing minimalism. As much as possible, limit office items to just your computer, equipment, storage, and other office essentials. As you make the most of your workspace, you’d avoid visual clutter, feel less overwhelmed, and likely be motivated.
Start maximising your home office space
Working from home in a small space doesn’t have to hinder productivity. With effective space planning and management, you can turn a cramped workspace into a well-designed small home office that meets your needs.
Besides incorporating these clever hacks into your work-from-home setup, remember that how you choose to maximise your space is up to you. After all, you know how you work and what helps you stay productive. Reassessing your workspace will ultimately help optimise your small home office space for ultimate productivity.
