How to Create a Home Office That You Can Actually Work from Home In

We’re all working from home these days and, really, we’re lucky to be doing so, with so many people out of work right now.
I’ve heard from so many of you that it’s super frustrating to be sharing the kitchen table with your husband or trying to stay organized with your kids also needing space to work.
So, how do you create a home office work space that will actually work for you?
It helps to have a designated space for each person. I know that not all of you have a separate home office, so let’s talk about how you can create a home office space that’ll both function and look great.
If you are lucky enough to have a designated, separate home office, please refer to our Tip Sheet to make it look it’s best. And then head over to this fun blog for some other great, quick projects to work on while you’re safe at home.
If you don’t have a separate home office, where can you create one?

I know you can work from just about anywhere right now with wifi and a laptop, but you end up being so much more productive when you have a designated work space. When I turned one of our extra bedrooms into my home office my productivity went way up. I’m not in the kitchen staring at the dishwasher that needs to be emptied. I’m not distracted by anything, except Ozzy, occasionally. I’m in my own little world and I can really focus on the work that needs to get done. So, where can YOU create one?

If you have a closet that is underused you can clear it out and make it your own office, like this one from Apartment Therapy. Chances are that your guest room closet isn’t full… You’ll even have the ability to close the door at the end of the day. Think about that! If you have little kids they won’t be able to get into your office space!

If you have a dining room that doesn’t get used you can either turn that into your home office OR you can turn the kitchen table into your home office and start eating in the dining room. You just need a space that you don’t have to clear off and set up every day when it’s time for a meal. 

Is your basement finished? You can create a work from home space there. That would be nice and quiet! And you could close the basement door for even more privacy.

If you have a guest bedroom, it’s definitely not being used right now. There aren’t any guests. Push the bed up against a wall so that you have some space to add your work space.

If you have a formal living room that you don’t use often you can turn it into your home office. You could move a couple pieces of the living room furniture to your family room to create space.

You could add a sofa table on the back of your sofa, add a chair and you have a work from home space.

You could even take some space from your laundry room, if it’s big enough. 

It doesn’t have to be grand. Just carve out a little space that is just for you.

If you’re lucky enough to have all of those spaces, awesome! Choose the one that is the quietest. And give the other one to your husband. LOL

Once you decide on an area, clear it out so that you have plenty of space to work, with as little distraction as possible.
It doesn’t have to be big, just big enough for whatever work surface you’ve chosen. And speaking of that it doesn’t have to be an actual desk. It could be a small table.

Add your ‘desk’ and your chair. Now is not the time to get all feng shui and worry about which way you’re facing. Now is the time to create a work from home space where you can get sh** done. I mean, if you can face a window, great. But, if you have a space where you can work that doesn’t face a window, that’s great too.

Make sure that your chair is comfortable. Now is not the time to use an extra chair from the dining room. Your back will thank me later.

Now it’s time to gather everything that you use regularly for work and add that to your home office work space. You don’t want to be getting up and searching for supplies every time you need something. Think about what you use all the time when you’re working and make sure that it’s in your work area.

Make sure that you have enough electrical outlets to plug in your lighting, your computer, your printer and whatever else you need in your work area. You can always add a power bar to the outlet so that you can plug in more than two things at a time.
You also want to make sure that you have either good wifi (you can get pods to extend the wifi throughout your house if need be) or access to hardwire to the internet.

Add some lighting on your desk. You need good task lighting at your desk so that your eyes don’t get tired as quickly. Yes, it can be a desk lamp, but it could also be a table lamp. Any lighting will work, why not make it pretty? Just make sure if you choose a table lamp, that it’s skinny so that you’re not using up too much of your precious work space. For that matter who’s to say that you can’t use a floor lamp?

Add a printer. Printers are so cheap right now that there’s no need to be running all the way to the home printer every time. Order an inexpensive one on Amazon and add that to your work from home home office. You’ll thank me later when you need to print a contract and your kids have used all of the ink for their school project.

Make sure that you have some great organizers too. The less organizers you have, the more piles you’ll have! You can use a file container that sits right on your desk for the files you need to access regularly. Add a fun mug for your pens, pencils, scissors, etc. That way they’re at your fingertips. And don’t forget a waste basket.

Add something with some personality too, especially if you’re facing a wall. Add a piece of art that makes you smile. Add some family photos. Add a plant for some life in your space. Afterall, you’re going to be spending a lot of time there, it might as well be comfortable and happy!

In these crazy times it’s more important than ever to have a comfortable space, even if it’s for work.

If you need some help choosing the furnishings for your work from home office, we have put together a package for you! It’s a designer curated home office space. Once you purchase the package you have access to a clickable shopping list so that you can simply click and have it all delivered right to your front door.
There are even high/low options for the items so that you can choose how much you want to spend on your home office space.
Products include paint colors (just in case), desks, chairs, lighting and organization
Click HERE

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