Work From Home: How to Make the Most of Limited Office Space

BY Bridge Estate

With days spent at the office and evenings spent with friends or at the gym, the need for a bigger living area was less important than location.

However, when the pandemic hit this changed as people have been forced to spend entire days within the confines of their rooms – US-based research company Gartner Inc. estimates that 32% of employees will be working remotely by the end of 2021. Thus, the idea of functionality has begun to take precedent over design in small space living.

The reality is most of us do not have a dedicated room for a home office and are instead finding ways to create a work space amidst our normal living arrangements.

But how can we ensure that our work life and home life do not overlap now that we are spending all day at home? Let’s take a look at some tips for making the most of a limited space.

Keep It Light and Bright

Your home office space should inspire you and make you feel productive. Try to set up your work station or desk next to a window to take advantage of the natural light while also giving you a view of nature and the world outside. This is especially important in smaller spaces where the outside view helps create the illusion that your office extends farther than your condo walls.

If you are unable to set up near a window, make sure your home office has plenty of quality lighting – whether it be from ceiling lights, a funky lamp or both. Hanging mirrors on the wall also adds depth and makes a room feel bigger and brighter.

Take Advantage of Underused Space

While we tend to think of offices as has having four walls, this is not always the case in smaller properties. Look for areas in your home that are underused and think of how you can turn that space into something usable – think about under the stairs, closets, alcoves or hallways.

Use vertical space to install shelving units in an underused corner of the living room or fit a writer’s desk in a hall closet. Be creative! Don’t be afraid to use paint or rugs to define your work space and to give it purpose.

Invest in Storage

One of the easiest ways to make a small space feel even smaller is too much clutter. And with many of us bringing work home nowadays, storage solutions for your work space are important to ensure you can separate personal time from office hours.

Keep only the essentials on your desk or the shelves at your work station. Use folders and filing cabinets for loose documents, while office supplies, cords, and other miscellaneous items can be stored in desk drawers or nearby cupboards.

Multifunctional Living

Living in a limited space means each item in your house should be functional and intentional. Look for items and furniture that can serve more than one purpose, such as a murphy bed or a foldable desk. Use curtains or foldable screens to divide rooms and define your work space during office hours, while being able to quickly return your room to its normal set up when you sign off.

If you do not have space for an extra desk or piece of furniture, your kitchen table or end table can also double as a work station during the day. Just remember to set up your work zone every day to ensure productivity and to prevent fatigue from having your home life and work life in the same space.

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