As many of us now face the reality of working from home long-term, it’s understandable that we may be reassessing our living space. While some of us may revel in spending more time at home and less time on the commute, others may be struggling with the lack of separation between work and home life.
Regardless of how you’re feeling, you’re not alone. Whether it’s a great situation for you, or one that needs some adjusting to, one small change that can make the world of difference is creating a small home office that’s fit for purpose.
We all have different living arrangements, but there are ways to create a home office that works for you.
How to create a home office in a small space
Let’s say you live in a one bedroom flat – you may be wondering how you can create some separation between work and home life in your living room or kitchen.
There are a few ways to achieve this separation. First, it can be helpful to set up a specific area in your living area that’s purely for work. For example, turning one corner of your living room into an office-type environment can help establish set boundaries that prevent you getting burnt out after a whole day on the sofa.
The space you choose needn’t be big or obvious – sometimes great opportunities lay hiding in plain sight. Are there alcoves or inconspicuous, dead space you could make the most of?
If you can set aside a specific space, and you have the means to, purchasing a desk and chair are unbeatable tools for helping immerse you in a working mindset. These come in a variety of sizes, styles, and prices, so whether you’re looking for small and portable or something more extravagant, there will be options for you.
How do I setup a home office in my bedroom
Maybe working in your living room or kitchen isn’t possible due to size or living in shared accommodation. It’s entirely possible to set up a home office in your bedroom, but it’s important to create those invisible borders and optimise your space.
When it comes to boundary setting, it doesn’t necessarily have to be physical. By setting rigid start and stop times for your working day and having specific outfits for work hours, you can create a routine that has a greater impact than furniture alone. If you don’t have space for a desk chair to be a permanent feature, moving this back to where it came from at the end of the day can become part of that all-important routine.
Of course, space may be sparing and having to move furniture daily may not be a possibility for some of us. In this instance, multi-purpose furniture is a great way of optimising your bedroom. Many products are on the market for this exact reason, including floating desks, bureaus, and fold out cupboards.
What do you put in a home office?
There are some staples for home working that carry much more importance than you may initially think. Most vital is a good, comfortable chair.
Working at a desk comes with its own health risks, including eye strain and repetitive strain injury. We can also find that our backs ache, we feel more tired, and we’re experiencing pains in our joints and muscles. Having a suitable chair will make the world of difference, by providing lumbar support which can ensure correct posture, regulated breathing patterns, and increased stamina.
With a home office, the opportunities are endless. While it’s recommended to get a desk and chair as a minimum, you can make things fun with motivational posters, warm lighting, plants, and your favourite mug for a wake-up coffee in the morning. If you benefit from ergonomic furniture, a laptop stand, wrist support, and extra monitors can make the working day a lot easier on your body.
How to organise a small home office?
It’s easy for small home offices to get cluttered, regardless of whether they occupy their own dedicated room or not. Investing in some clever storage solutions is a great way to organise your space – the only limit is your imagination.
We’d recommend taking a look at boxes, baskets, and multipurpose furniture that can double up as both storage and surface space. For instance, can you use your dressing table as a writing area, or install / repurpose a low sitting shelf as a desk?
It’s also possible to upcycle items around your home into storage devices. Empty jam jars can become pen pots, old tin cans can hold all kinds of stationery, and unused photo frames can home an inspirational print that keeps you going on a Monday morning.
Of course, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by a lack of space, decluttering your home and decanting some of your important belongings into self-storage can make the world of difference. Here at Titan Storage, we have a range of unit sizes from small lockers to large garages that will enable you to create some space for the perfect small home office. You will have 24-hour access to your unit, and we will ensure all your items are stored safely and securely at all times. Get in touch today for your bespoke storage quote!
