The concept of a home office is increasingly becoming common because of the growing trend of numerous people telecommuting. However, incorporating a home office in an apartment that’s pressed for space can be challenging.
Furthermore, creating the ideal home office-a space that’s inspiring and functional-can be hard, especially when you wish to carve that productive space out of your apartment.
However, limited space doesn’t imply that you can’t have the office of your dreams. If you’re wondering where to begin, these ideas should be a great start.
1. The Appropriate Desk
Not every office desk is equal and while some spaces can accommodate desks that have legs, others can’t. Ensure the desk is light and made of wood if possible. Wood enables air to pass through while preventing your laptop from overheating.
You’ll discover that some desks have storage drawers underneath and this is a good place for storing paperwork.
Working from home means that you’ll have a working lunch on most days and it’s great if your desk can handle some munchies. However, keep the water bottle away from your desk.
2. It Should be Practical
To begin with, you must have the necessities, including a supportive chair and technical supports such as a reliable Wi-Fi. Ensure your home office is practical by adopting these strategies:
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Multi-functional furniture
View everything in your space as performing various roles. For instance, an ottoman with storage that can function as a coffee table, workspace, and storage solution is an ideal choice. Alternatively, you can consider an armoire that can double as a desk.
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Organization
The key to setting up a home office is organization. You need a place for everything including a place to conceal things you don’t want seen every time. Look to repurpose items you have such as unused Tupperware or muffin tins.
You can use these items to store office supplies without consuming the same amount of space with a roll-top desk or filing cabinet.
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Go vertical
Maximizing your vertical space for organization is practical for your apartment. Add ledges, shelves, and bookcases for additional storage overhead that leaves floor space for other uses.
3. The Right Spot
Consider setting up next to the window for sufficient light, which will keep you fresh and inspired. While numerous health benefits are associated with sunlight exposure, ensure you aren’t getting too much.
If you decide to sit by the window, make sure you incorporate window nets and seasonal curtains. Bear in mind that if the window is in front, your laptop’s screen may get overshadowed. In this case, you’ll have to sit at an angle to enjoy the sunlight without making it very bright.
4. Make it Appealing
Once you have the basics in place, you need to add some fun to it. You’ll discover that small spaces require more concentration than bigger spaces because you don’t have space to spare. You can make the home office appealing in the following ways:
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Maximize character
The advantage of apartments is that they frequently have distinct details. Arrange the workspace around current architectural details such as an exposed brick wall or other eclectic details that seek to make the space naturally defined and unique.
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Paint
It takes the appropriate shade of paint to make a small space seem bigger and you’ll find that light neutrals typically open up a confined space while a monochromatic scheme adds a sense of tranquility and continuity.
5. Repurpose the Closet
In an apartment that’s limited in space, it may sound challenging to empty a closet. However, you require only two or three shelves depending on their width.
If you’re fortunate and can move the contents of the closet, then you would have an ideal space for your stationary, printer, cards, and books.
Final Thoughts
Making the space in your apartment feel bigger than it actually is isn’t impossible. It simply needs some creativity, smart choices, and you’ll have the ideal workspace regardless of how limited your space is.
For more home office ideas for small apartments, contact us at Apartment Agents or leave other suggestions.