(collaborative) Today’s post looks at how to Make More Space When Working from Home. Lots of us have been working from home more this year, and some have even taken the plunge into self-employment for the first time. Whether you’ve been forced into temporary home working or you’re running your own business from home, getting your working space right is part of the answer to a successful enterprise. It’s not always easy, especially if you have family around during the day, but hopefully, this post will give you some helpful pointers on how to maintain your work/life balance while working at home.
Make More Space When Working from Home
Choose the Right Area
The kind of space you need depends on what your work consists of. If your work is computer-based, maybe all you need is a quiet spot in the house where you can think and have privacy. If you’re engaged in creative activities, you’ll probably need more space for tools and equipment or supplies, with light quality and ventilation being more important. Other considerations include the need for power outlets nearby, or somewhere secure for knives or other sharp objects. Your first task is to define your work activity and figure out what kind of area you need, then comes the trickier part of locating that type of space in the house. You may need to compromise.
How to Compromise
Unless you have a room you can dedicate purely to work or business functions, you’re going to have to figure out how to create a dual-purpose working area. Even if you have a spare bedroom you may need it for guests now and then, so you wont want to give it completely over to your work. One solution for spare bedrooms is to swap conventional beds for sofa beds so you have seating in the work area that you can quickly turn into a bed. Another solution is to store unused bedroom furniture in self storage until you need it.
A similar solution works for dining rooms where you may have a larger dining table that’s mostly redundant until holidays or celebrations roll round. Popping it (or other large furniture you don’t use often) in storage until you need it would free up lots of floor space for work activities.
Most towns and cities have self storage facilities in handy locations so they’re usually quick and easy to reach.
Adding extra shelving works in most rooms as we tend not to use vertical space all that efficiently. Shelving above a work or computer station also means whatever is placed there is out of reach of little fingers, so your tools are less likely to wander.
If you’re creating a workspace in a living room, cordoning off your work area will give at least an illusion of privacy. You could either buy a purpose made room divider or simply turn a bookcase out from the wall. This works particularly well with tall, open-backed bookcases. Use some shelves for plants or ornaments and others for books. Turn books so their spines face in alternate directions.
Clearing Clutter
As you move things around to make a better workspace, you’re likely going to displace items that then have no home. Invest in more storage furniture to take care of accidental clutter. Have some side tables with drawers or coffee tables with shelves underneath. Have a few storage chests or footstools that double as storage bins. Replace conventional beds with storage beds, divans, or lift-up mattresses.
In the kitchen, which is a popular place to work if you mostly use a laptop, try dedicating one of the cabinets to items you need for work such as pens and notebooks, reference books or printer paper, staplers, or folders.
You might find that most of the displaced items are things you don’t use much anyway. Maybe it would be handy to have storage for treasured collections without them taking up precious space at home? In that case, pack them up and place them in self storage. You could rent a large locker if you just have a few items.
Whatever changes you plan to make working from home more efficient, it helps if you draw up a floor plan for your proposed work area before you dive in and make big alterations. It doesn’t have to be super accurate or to scale, but a rough sketch will help you clarify your thoughts for how you’d use the space, and double check it offers everything you need, such as plug sockets and good lighting.
Working from home can be a challenge, so anything you can do to make it easier is worth giving a try.
What suggestions do you have for others so they can Make More Space When Working from home?
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Brilliant tips here, I have really struggled with home working but I have been back in the office for a long time now so it’s almost like a distant memory.
My partner and son are working from home/home schooling still and my god the house is chaos without me there to reel them in! I definitely need a way to make them more organised!
It must be hard to homeschool and work from home. I’m struggling.
The bungalow is so small and it can be a nightmare with work things taking up space, especially when Christmas is coming I really need to think of better storage solutions.
Sometimes selling items you don’t use can be a great idea and free up extra funds.
It is so important to clear clutter when you are working from home otherwise it can end up taking over the place!
And don’t I know it lol.
I am fortunate to have an office in my home but I have had to clear a lot of clutter and made room for some more shelves. Love these ideas.
That’s great. It’s worth it when you do it properly.
I think having the right lighting is super important so you don’t strain your eyes. I know in an office scenario it’s normally quite bright, but it’s never as bright at home x
Having the right lighting is very important and can affect your eye health.
I don’t work from home but my husband bought me a desk this year which I just love using for blogging.
That must have come in handy.
Right lighting and right chair are the two key essentials for me!
They are important. A bad chair and poor lighting can cause problems.
We’re very lucky we have a very large hallway with a window looking out into our garden. We have our desk set-up in there – it’s light, airy, plenty of space. Perfect for working from home!
That does sound like a lovely working environment.
I’ve been working from home since March and I have really enjoyed it, I find I’m a lot more productive as I don’t have people coming up to my desk all the time
I wish I could say the same. it’s hard with the kids home.
Working from home is difficult enough so you need a clear space.
That’s very true. The more space the better.
Definitely need more space, more storage solutions and more organisation
Ha, I think most people do! x
This is true. I have a desk space but I do need to declutter it.
It’ll make a big difference when you do.
oh great tips , if its cluttered you cant concentrate well
I totally agree it can be hard to focus.
Great tips, I am a serial clutterer but I do try lol
Oh dear. Something to work at then.
cluttered spaces are always my weakness, i cant seem to ever keep an area tidy
I know what you mean. It can be hard sometimes.
Clearing clutter is a big one. I need to invest into a filing drawer for hubby now that he is working from home and has taken over our dining room. Great ideas as usual
Thanks Susanne. I’m glad you liked the post.
I need to clear my clutter! 🙂
It can be a work in progress.
Creative use of space for storage is really important and so is lighting. Invest in a good lamp unless you happen to be able to work directly under a ceiling light.
A good lamp can make a big difference!
My husband works from home and we don’t have a large house so we have a little corner in the living room with a computer desk. Definitely going to show him this about clearing the clutter as his work space has flittered over to the dining table and a chair on the sofa! I really do agree storage bins are so handy and with all the designs and patterns you can get them in these days they will always tie in with the rooms decor.
I know where he is coming from. I work from my dining table to but try to limit how far my papers etc spread.
It has been difficult finding the space for all four of us to be working from home. We have definitely had to have a big clear out and tidy up after Christmas. We have a dedicated drawer of cupboard each to put our work / school thing in when finished for the day.
The additional papers from school work doesn’t help. We have that problem too.
I have never worked from home but it would be a good option for me with 2 young children
It sounds like it would. It’s not always easy when you have young ones though.
This reminds me I really should clear my desk and rid it of unnecessary paperwork!
It’ll help you focus more x
Great tips! I definitely need make more space. I have just kind of put up with it, but I need to try and make it more comfortable. Same with the clutter, I find i just have so much stuff and i don’t even know why.
It becomes a nightmare after a while. I’m trying to do a clear-out at the moment.