Working from the comfort of our homes does come with a long list of benefits.
However, while it might be a convenient way to maintain a good work-life balance, it can be difficult to concentrate in environments that aren’t suited for work.
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For all the work-from-home moms out there, here are some cost-effective and inspiring ways for carving out your own, personalized work-space at home.
Editor’s note: Not a work from home mom yet? Here’s a list of high-paying jobs that let you stay home with your kids. You don’t need a degree or work experience to do most of them too!
1. Use Your Spare Room
Of course, the first one is a no-brainer, and probably the ideal solution for building an office at home. If you’ve got a room that goes unused most of the time like a guest bedroom, it’s time to repurpose it.
Having a separate room to work from is a dream come true for many work-from-home moms, and it doesn’t even have to be a big one. As long as it can fit a chair, a desk, and some home office add-ons, you’re good to go.
- Rely on interesting wallpapers to create an accent wall in your home office.
- Hang framed pictures and inspirational quotes to create a space that will motivate you.
- And make sure that the furniture you choose is comfortable and ergonomic so you’re not slouching over your laptop or PC.
2. Modify Your Bedroom
If you don’t really have room to spare, don’t worry. Even your bedroom can be converted into a stylish home office with the help of several essentials.
First, you’ll need to visually divide the areas that serve two different purposes. This can be done with the help of paint, shelving and furniture layout. You can also lay a chic rug to divide your space into “zones” and make it more comfy and cozy.
Arrange your furniture in a way that sets your working space aside from your space for rest – try creating an L-shape or adding a narrow wall.
Modular shelving is the perfect storage solution for small spaces and it can also act as a room divider.
Paint can also be a helpful design tool that can help you visually separate the two areas and create a more productive working environment.
3. “Enhance” Your Living Room
Living rooms are some of the most popular areas used to include an improvised home office. It’s probably due to the fact that they usually consist of furnishings that can easily be moved around in order to create extra space.
To make room for your working space, your couch or sofa can be placed against the longest wall in the room. If it feels too cramped, consider eliminating one or two bulkier items.
If you’re buying new office furnishings, go for leggy pieces – they will help open up your space and make it feel light and airy.
To personalize your working space, add a vase of your favorite flowers, and place a couple of framed pictures with your family on your desk. This will help tie two separate areas and create a sense of cohesiveness and continuity.
4. Use That Narrow Hallway!
Even narrow spaces like these can be used to create an inspiring working environment for work-from-home mamas.
However, hallways can easily start to look cramped if you’re not careful with your design choices, so it pays to learn a couple of tried-and-true tips and tricks.
Ideally, your workstation should be located near or under a window to make sure it receives enough natural light, which is, as we all know, a crucial factor when it comes to our productivity.
Chances are, most of us are working with smaller hallways. A space-savvy desk will ensure enough surface to work on while also allowing us to store all the documents, files, and all work-related etceteras neatly.
Make sure your chair is comfy and height-adjustable as well, and be sure to add some personal items like artwork or your favorite succulent.
5. Max Your Walk-in closet
If you have a walk-in closet, there are a couple of things you can do to maximize this space without spending a fortune.
Chances are, your closet already has plenty of shelving which you can easily utilize for storage. If not, you can easily build floating shelves on your own.
Rely on accessories like wallpapers, colors, and decor to show off your personal style and create a lovely office nook.
Being surrounded by the items you love will provide you with more motivation, which is why you should definitely consider making a vision board.
Hang it above your desk and rely on the power of positive affirmations to boost your mood and get closer to your goals.
6. Take Advantage of Tricky Corners
If your home has a couple of awkward nooks and crannies, why not use them to your advantage?
Tricky corners can easily be transformed into productive working spaces and put to good use without taking too much space.
Wall-mounted furniture will save some space, and so will practical chairs that can easily be stored underneath the desk when they’re not in use.
A leafy plant would surely enhance the feel of this tiny workspace while also acting as a breath of fresh air – literally and figuratively.
Conclusion
No matter how big or small space you’re working with, there are always ways to carve out some room for a home office and boost your productivity.
Hopefully, these tips have inspired you to get creative, start designing your own working space and create a stylish, practical, and personalized home office you’ll love working in
Lilly Miller is a Sydney-based graphic designer and a passionate writer. Loves everything about home decor, art history and baking. Shares home with two loving dogs and a gecko named Rodney. You can find her hanging out on Twitter.
“Poetry creates the myth, the prose writer draws his own portrait.” – Jean-Paul Sartre
