The limitations of a small home office can lead to some well-designed spaces.
The home office space is an increasingly important aspect of people's lives. It's an easy way to combine work and play for an area that is functional and fun, and it can be designed to various budgets and needs. The major limiting factor for creating a home office, besides money, is available space. Once you embrace that the limitation of space opens up some doors, there are many potential small home office ideas to pursue. Does this Spark an idea?
Space Solutions
Deciding how much space you have and how much use that space will receive is extremely important. One possible solution is to use an existing space in your home. A living area, a bedroom, a den --- all of these locations can be possible home offices. This solution eliminates the need for a dedicated home office room. A bedroom is an attractive option, as it's an area of your house where you can get peace and quiet. If the computer in your bedroom office won't be getting much use, consider using the bedroom closet as an office space. If you're going to integrate the office with your living room, try borrowing space from bookshelves. A lamp that fits in with the living room decor but that also provides work lighting is another option.
Storage Solutions
Efficient and shared storage solutions are essential to a small home office. Shelves that fit in with the decor of the room are a good start, and using containers on those shelves saves even more space. Another option is to use a two-tiered table as a storage solution, with baskets and bins that can slide into the table. Also, think vertically when designing your small home office. "Whatever you do, look up --- few of us maximize the vertical space in our homes and you need all of it to make the most of your home office," says Carmen Taylor of "Style at Home" magazine. Buy some tall, slim shelves in order to save space, and use higher parts of the wall for hanging lamps and work boards.
Gadgets and Gear
Consider using space-saving gadgets in your home office. A power bar or multiplug adapter is a great way of routing all of your devices into one set of plugs. Instead of using a bulky external hard drive or a full-fledged computer tower, try purchasing a laptop computer and use a USB hard drive. Buying some wireless gear --- mouse and keyboard --- for your office is also a great space-saver, as you can eliminate wires on your desk and have the option to customize your work space. Consider a work light that has a clamp so you can attach it to your desk. This saves valuable floor space, and the lamp can be moved quickly, if required.
Keeping Organized
Another way to make a small home office space seem bigger is by keeping supplies and work materials organized. Prevent your drawers and cabinets from cluttering up by adding dividers for files and small plastic bins for storing paper clips, pens and scissors. Consider using a cork board or dry-erase board to organize your work and help keep your desktop area clear. A small filing cabinet is also extremely valuable for organizing paperwork, and it can be tucked away under a table or desk.
Tags: home office, home office, small home, small home office, office space
