When it comes to working at home, it’s essential to have a designated space that allows you to get into the zone. But sometimes, you don’t have much space to spare.
Sometimes your office space is in a small room, hallway, or even a closet but that doesn’t mean that you have to feel cramped while trying to get your work done. With a few interior design tips, you can quickly transform your cramped space into the home office of your dreams.
These are 7 Tips to Setting Up a Home Office in a Small Space:
Big Mirrors Are Your Friends
Small rooms make you feel claustrophobic or trapped, making it difficult to concentrate on your work. The best way to combat this enclosed feeling is by tricking the eye into thinking the room is wider than it really is.
Place mirrors on the walls (the bigger, the better) and allow them to face each other. This will tremendously open up the room and give you the illusion that you are in a bigger space.
The Right Paint is Everything
It’s a well-accepted theory that room color can affect your mood. People who are dieting are told to avoid the color red, which is associated with food, and paint their walls blue, which is known to kill the appetite.
According to paint specialists, white is the best color for expanding a small room. Colors like orange and red are believed to make the room look spacious, but they also boost energy. Dark colors like black and blue are best to be avoided.
Negative Space can be a Positive Thing
When you have such little room to work with, it’s tempting to fill in all the empty spaces with furniture and trinkets. Unfortunately, this results in a horde that makes the room feel even smaller.
Instead of giving in to this temptation, keep your office filled with negative space. Get rid of anything that isn’t necessary. This not only allows everything to look clean and tidy, but it also allows you to breathe.
Simple, Minimal, Useful Furniture
Sometimes furniture can be bulky, and if you add too many pieces, a room can become cluttered quite easily. When buying furniture for your home office, look for the smallest pieces with the most organization options.
Think about utility and convenience. Cubbies and drawers are ideal for keeping your desk mess at bay. Using floating shelves will provide valuable organization in limited space without crowding the room.
Cut Down On Paper
Nothing messes up a home office like piles upon piles of paper. The best way to get rid of this clutter is to switch over to the digital world. Go paperless! Not only is it better for the environment, but it’s also better for your home office space.
One laptop and/or computer takes up a lot less space than hundreds and hundreds of forms. Plus, it’ll be so much easier to find important documents.
Hide Your Wires
With technology comes wires and cables, and unfortunately, they can take up a lot of space. The cables will tangle and create a confusing, time-consuming mess.
Invest in a wire or cable organizer, which will help you keep your wires separated and out of view. If you’re not interested in spending money, there are other options for wire organization.
Thanks to Pinterest, there are thousands of DIY ideas for cable organizers – even some of that you can make out of a shoebox! Find them here.
Natural Light Helps Everything
If it’s an option, include natural light into your small home space. Natural light will light up the room like no artificial light can, making it feel more spacious and comfortable.
If your office space does have windows, accent them with floor-to-ceiling drapes, which directs the eye vertically, causing the room to appear expanded.
All it takes is a few little changes to transform your small home office into a spacious workspace.
Find yourself feeling more comfortable and energetic with a few precisely placed pieces, the right paint, and some natural light. Turn that cramped space into your dream home office. It’s just that easy!
