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INSIDE: Are you struggling to setup your home office in a small space? With a little ingenuity, you can create a dedicated workspace just about anywhere. Discover how to set up a home workspace you’ll love right here!
Many readers come to me asking for suggestions about setting up a home office in a small space. The fact of the matter is that many people doing remote work don’t have a spare bedroom they can dedicate to a home office setup.
That’s nothing to stress about. Even a remote worker who has a dedicated home workspace may prefer to work in other areas of the house. With a little ingenuity, you can set up your home office space just about anywhere.
In real life: What my home office small space looks like
While I have an average-size home with several opportunities for ample office space, I prefer my little nook. It’s a little smaller than a 7′ x 9′ space, which is too small for a bedroom. It’s really more of a big closet. In fact, that’s what I think it was at one time.
I love it because it has windows on three sides. There’s so much natural light, I’m willing to sacrifice space for the view.
My Poshmark reselling space is the same. It’s another big closet in a spare bedroom. The size is a little smaller than my office – 5′ x 9′ – but the limited space means I have to keep it decluttered and I have to get creative with storage.
How to set up a home workspace, even in a small space
Today, I want to talk about how you can create a designated workspace that makes you productive almost anywhere in your home. Let’s hop to it.
You need lighting and quiet
One of the most important things to know when you are learning how to set up a home workspace has to do with the ambiance.
You’ll want to think about are lighting and distractions. I can’t work in the dark. Period. That puts me into naptime mode. So it’s good to have a bright desk lamp.
You’ll also want some distance, no matter how small, from loud noises and other distractions. An inexpensive screen may help block your view, cut down on some noise and provide you with some privacy. The folding screen shown below even has shelves!
Make sure you have outlets
You may have the perfect corner for your home workspace picked out already, but there are a few pieces of work equipment you need to consider. The first is electrical outlets.
Nothing is worse than a dead laptop, a deadline and no juice! Make sure you have a plug-in nearby to accommodate your devices. If you only have one outlet available, as I do, you’ll want to invest in a trustworthy power strip.
No room for a desk? Try these alternatives
Your new desk is likely going to be your biggest challenge when it comes to knowing how to set up a home workspace. If there’s no room for a traditional desk, you may need to get a little creative. Or at least consider a more compact version.
Vanities are a popular option. These often look like mini-desks anyway. They usually have a few drawers to reduce paper clutter and enough room on top for a laptop or small desktop computer and a notebook or two. If you have one in storage or sitting unused already, why not repurpose it?
Speaking of mini-desks, with the minimalist approach being so trendy, there are plenty of small, streamlined desks on the market. Tuck one behind a couch or chair in the living room and you’re good to go. I especially like those that have a little storage space.
Another great option when it comes to home office small spaces is a foldaway desk. If you want your office space a little less conspicuous or in the way when you’re entertaining guests, this is a minimalist approach.
I absolutely love desks that hang on the wall and fold away when not in use. Unlike one that’s more like a card table, a wall-mounted desk may have room for office supplies. Some even have little corkboards or whiteboards inside! Just add a supportive desk chair.
Rolling desks are available in many sizes and functionalities, from the simple bedside/couchside desk to a multi-tier workstation that includes shelves and space for a printer. You may want to consider a height-adjustable standing desk.
How to organize your home office
This was my main challenge when it came to knowing how to set up a home workspace for my reseller’s closet. I needed some organization ideas to deal with an ever-expanding inventory.
My solution: When you can’t go out, go up.
Take advantage of some of the great inexpensive shelving systems out there. If your workspace will be in an area of the home where you entertain guests, use decorative bins for storing items when not in use.
Another home office small space idea is to make sure your furniture choices are as functional as possible. Almost everything can serve a dual purpose for a small home office these days. Get a coffee table with drawers and storage underneath. Many ottomans open and can be used for storing files, if you don’t have enough room for a filing cabinet.
There are even coffee tables that transform into desks.
Final thoughts about how to set up a small home workspace
As you can see, with a little ingenuity and a few online searches, you’re likely to find a lot of great productivity solutions to your small space home office problems. Knowing how to set up a home workspace just might be easier than you thought!
