Designing a Home Office

Designing a home office when you don't have an entire room to spare can be a challenge.

Here are some practical home office ideas for creating a functional working area in the space you have available in your house.

Using the corner of an existing room

When you have no extra space to create a home office you can set up a desk against the wall of a room that is only used at certain times of the day such as a dining room or bedroom. Use these tips to make this small home office both efficient and attractive.

• Painting the room. Paint all the walls white except for the wall where you place your desk which can be given a soft, calming look with a pastel color such as light blue. This opens up the room and creates an airy space that appears larger. Painting the one wall a different, soft color creates a psychological separation for your home office.
• Create an attractive focus while making space for storage. Place a couple of long white shelves along the entire length of the wall which you are using for your home office. This creates a graphic focus against the colored wall while providing plenty of storage space for your home business. Use plain white supports and keep it simple. Use pretty baskets for storage.

• Choose a long and narrow desk or work table. In an area where space is a problem a long narrow desk is the best solution. You can make your own by having a plank cut to size.
  Paint the desk or work table white to create a uniform look. Add an attractive desk lamp.

Turn a closet into your home office

Designing a home office in a closet. This is how even a closet can become a functional home office with just a few adjustments!

• Set up a desk in the hanging area. Transform the hanging area of the closet into your work area. Position a shelf at the height at which you prefer to sit and work by screwing support planks to the back and side of the closet. Have a plank of wood cut to size and screw it into place. You can create additonal desk space by placing another plank under the work shelf on a sliding system that moves in and out when you need it.
• Painting the closet. Paint the closet with white water-based enamel. Enamel is the best option as it is largely dust resistant and is easy to wipe clean. Paint the inside of the closet a contrasting color to create the perception of depth.
• Divide up the drawers and shelves. Create partitions in the existing shelves. Line the inside of the drawers with a bright colored velveteen, shelf lining paper or leftover wallpaper. These drawers and shelves are efficient storage spaces for your office supplies or work materials. Use drawer dividers to keep these organized.
• Use a small stool. Choose a small stool that can be stored inside the closet when not in use to complete your home office design in a closet!

When designing a home office remember that above all your work space needs to be comfortable, accessible and practical whether it is an entire room or just a small corner of the house or basement.

More home office design ideas

Design a home office in your basement

Get creative when designing a home office - you can create your own perfect work space using what you have available.

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