A home office has become a big part of many families. Often, bigger homes have a study room that can be easily converted into a home office. However, smaller homes don’t have much spare space, hence the need to be creative when setting up a home office. Here are some ideas to make room for a home office.
Multiple Roles for the Home Office
The home office may need to take on several roles, very often as a guest room, store room and even mini gym! Needless to say, there will be loads of office clutter in the room. The solution is to use space-saving furniture and suitable storage solutions, says Christina Baglivi Tinglof, author of The Organized Parent (Contemporary Books, 2002).
She adds that a good example is using a sofa bed or a Murphy bed that disappears into the wall completely instead of a full-sized bed. “Disguise a two-drawer filing cabinet by placing a round section of particleboard on top, covering it with a table skirt. Store files in a closed cabinet or closet rather than on shelves to keep the room’s appearance neat,” she writes.
Get Kids to Share a Room
While kids are very young, there really isn’t a need for them to have their own rooms. Try arranging for two small same-sex children to share a room instead. If the kids insist on having their own space, divide the room with a tall bookcase or install a cubicle-style wall available at home office furniture shops. With the kids sharing a room, the other room will be free for use as a home office.
Convert a Closet into a Home Office
If there is a spare closet in the house, Baglivi Tinglof suggests consider converting it into a home office. Remove the clothes rod and add in a work desk and some shelves above the desk. Get an electrician to install power points for the light, computer, fax, printer and a phone line. Bear in mind the desk will probably need to be custom-made. Another advantage of converting a closet into a home office is that the door can be shut at any time, hiding all office clutter.
Other Potential Home Office Spots
Even if there isn’t a spare room or closet in the house, there are still other potential home office spots. The corner of a living room, the family hall or even a big-sized master bedroom can be transformed into a home office. Use a tall book case, screen or curtains to separate the office area from the rest of the room.
Other options to make room for a home office include the landing at the top of the stairs, the dead end of the hallway, under the stairs for a double-story house, the attic, the basement or an unused garage.
There are many ways to create work space in the house. Have multiple roles for the home office to save space, get the kids to share a room or convert a closet into a home office. Additionally, search through the house and look for possible locations to set up a small work area. A little renovation and wiring work will be needed to complete the job.
Those who find this article useful may also like to read Organizing a Home Office and Get Organized at Home.
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