It’s becoming more and more common for people to spend their time working from home. Whether your employer offers remote opportunities or you have a side business that you run after hours, it’s helpful to set aside a designated space to get your work done. Thankfully, there are ways you can create a home office space without breaking the bank.
Here’s why you should consider setting up an office space, plus tips for building a home office on a budget.
Why You Need a Designated Home Office
While working on the couch with a laptop might be an adequate short-term option, it’s not the most suitable solution for the long term. Laptops aren’t ergonomically designed for prolonged use, and poor posture from laptop usage can lead to neck and shoulder strain and fatigue. Even if you don’t have the luxury of a spare room that can serve as your office, there are ways to carve out however little space you have into an office area. This allows you to get into the working mindset and have easy access to everything you need to be productive with limited distractions.
Creating a Space that Meets Your Needs
Before you begin to plan out your office space, take the time to think about how you work and what you need to keep productive. Since people have different preferences for how they work their best, it’s important to thoroughly audit your own unique working style.
Do you need a quiet space that is subdued and “zen” - or do you appreciate the jolt of energy that bright colors can inspire? Paint your walls based on the atmosphere you’d like to create.
Do you have many physical documents that need to be filed away - or are most of your records saved on your computer? You might not need as many folders as you think.
Do you take many conference calls at your desk, or do you rely on an online team chat to stay in touch? Clear space for an office line if necessary.
Do you like to snack throughout the day? Tiny home appliances like a mini fridge could give you the chance to enjoy a cold treat whenever you’d like.
When you take the time to determine what’s most important to you when building your space, you’ll avoid wasting money, time and energy on solutions that don’t serve your needs.
Think: Minimalist and Multipurpose
Especially when you’re dealing with limited space and/or aren’t able to designate a room as a home office, it’s helpful to imagine how you can make an office area just as functional for work as it is for your everyday life. Remember: Just because it’s your office doesn’t mean it’s not still your home, too!
If you’re as enthusiastic a host as you are a worker, consider an office chair that can easily slide out into the living room to accommodate an extra guest.
You don’t necessarily need a freestanding desk. Explore how a carefully designed wall unit can include a built-in desk and filing space.
Mobile home appliances can make the perfect office space solutions - there’s no need to make multiple trips to the kitchen throughout the work day when there’s a mini fridge under your desk!
If your computer is in the heart of your living room, think about whether there’s a way to disguise it behind a cabinet when you’ve officially “clocked out” for the day.
Finding solutions for your space that serve multiple purposes is a great way to avoid waste and clutter. When you’re limited by how much room you can dedicate to a home office, it’s important to ensure every last inch serves a purpose.
What’s Covered?
Depending on the company you work for, and your status as an employee, you may be entitled to a stipend for office supplies. Before you start your shopping, check with your office manager to see what exactly your company can provide for your office space. Whether it’s a quarterly stipend, a computer or every single supply they’d give their office workers, ask ahead of time so that you don’t end up spending out of pocket if you don’t need to. If you’re self-employed and are financially responsible for your own office supplies, save the receipts for tax season. You may be able to write them off.
Three Steps to Design Success on a Budget
When planning out your home office, especially when you’re on a budget, go step by step instead of trying to tackle everything at once. This will ensure everything you bring into your new space is intentional and serves a purpose.
Here are three key steps to follow for office design success:
Evaluate Your Space: Explore your space in detail, taking inventory of all of the pieces you’ll keep, repurpose or get rid of to make room for new items. This is when you’ll address your work habits in order to identify whether or not your current environment suits your needs.
Decide on the Set Up: Once you have a clear understanding of how you’ll use your space, decide on how you’ll lay everything out. Sketch out where you’ll put your furniture, your general compact appliances, your computer, your office supplies, your built-ins, etc. Is there room for everything, and does it all fit comfortably?
Purchase Necessary Pieces: Only after you’ve completed steps one and two should you begin to purchase new items for your office space. Start with the essentials first (like computer and chair), and add other items as you realize you need them. This will make it easier to keep everything organized in the long term and prevent you from spending on items that won’t end up being useful.
It’s certainly possible to successfully build a home office on a budget. With the proper planning and preparation, you’ll be well on your way to creating a gorgeous (and functional!) office space in no time.
Author Bio: Suzanne Felber of Lifestylist, focuses on many things but above all else, we focus on creating perfectly curated and beautiful spaces - from manufactured homes to food, beauty, and beyond.
