Technology has brought us a long way. With the options to telecommute and work remotely, more and more of us find ourselves in a position to work from home. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean that we have the space or money to dedicate an entire room designated for that purpose.
Still, home offices can work with the flow of your home and provide a comfortable and practical place to work without eating up a lot of precious floor space. Functional furniture with beauty and brawn, a great organization system and complementary style all help your home office become a heavy lifter while complementing the rest of your home. A side bonus? There are so many more options in your home than what a standard cubicle in an actual office can offer. Here are some options:
Name That Space
Before you can draw the boundaries of your home office, it’s important to consider what you will be doing in the office and how the space can best serve you. Will you be bundling and shipping packages? Sitting at the computer? Storing fabric or paper samples? Start with a list of your critical needs list. This list will then help you define the space you will use. Also, once you have determined the space, check these requirements to see if you might be able to qualify for a home office tax deduction.
Out of the Box
Not one of us wants to leave the cubicle at the office and still come home to an office that feels very much the same. Whatever the amount of space you have available in to work with, there are many options to create a functional and practical office space in any area of the home. We loved this collection of ideas from Kate on her blog Centsational Girl. As you can see, there really are so many possibilities! When purchasing furniture, using pieces that serve dual purposes is economical and a space-saver.
Housekeeping
As you begin to pull things together, keep in mind some of the little details that add so much to a work space. Lighting – natural, overhead and desk – proper ergonomics, and an organization system that fits the purposes of your office are really important. Consider what exactly you will need in your space to have your working tools accessible and within reach. Do you need to file papers or receipts? Can this task be done electronically to save on storage space? What other items will you store? Filing furniture, shelving and cabinetry should be selected and installed with these needs in mind.