Carving Out a Functional Home Office in a Small Home
Photo Credit: Pexels Article written by Brittany Fisher: Financiallywell.info
A Gallup poll showed that 45% of people working full time were either partly or fully remote as of September 2021. Whether you work as an employee or run your own business, having a dedicated workspace at home makes you more productive and helps you separate work and business activities. Even small spaces have creative opportunities for a home office setup.
Home Office Budget Averages $3,500
Set Your Budget
Converting an existing room into a home office averages $3,500, but some people spend $20,000 or more. You can also go cheaper if you implement a bare-bones design. Before you make any plans, establish an office renovation budget to help choose features and finishes.
Consider Your Needs
Evaluate what you need to do in your office to help choose a location and plan the design. If you only do computer work, a small space is sufficient. If you work with blueprints, you’ll need a large space to lay out the designs. If you’re starting a business that creates physical products, you need space to store supplies, make the products, prepare them for shipping, and store inventory. Note the equipment you need to do your work.
Find the Spot
Home offices typically range from about 50 to 150 square feet. If your home is small, you’ll likely need to choose a small space, possibly even smaller than 50 square feet. List the spaces you need for your office to estimate the necessary size. Then, explore options in your home for the office location. Some ideas include:
- Small unused bedroom
- Corner of a larger room
- Large closet that fits a desk
- Loft space
- Pool house or shed
- Unused garage space
When space is limited, multipurpose furniture maximizes the area you have. A wall-mounted desk that folds up into a cabinet on the wall when not in use is an example. If you can’t have a full-time office space, you might get a lift-top coffee table where the top raises to create a desk-height workspace when needed.
Light the Space
Ft. Lauderdale averages 246 sunny days every year, which is more than the nationwide average. If possible, take advantage of all that natural light in your office. Position your desk close to a window, and choose window coverings that open completely to let in more light. Incorporate lamps and overhead fixtures to supplement the sunlight on cloudy days or when you pull all-nighters.
Spruce Up the Decor
Create an inspiring home office with beautiful decor that fits your style. A well-placed painting, plant, or decor piece also promotes an inviting atmosphere if you have clients visit your home office. For example, an opened geode offers a stunning conversation piece with its crystal-lined cavities. Take inspiration from Ft. Lauderdale’s stunning beaches with subtle coastal decor, such as jars of white sand or a nautical color scheme.
Work From Home Comfortably
No matter what size home you have, it’s possible to create a functional office space.
If you want to upgrade to a larger home with a separate office space in Fort Lauderdale, explore the home listings offered by Eileen Kedersha, a Broker Associate with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, 954-462-3600 | https://www.sfloridaluxuryhomes.com/ | EKedersha@OneSothebysRealty.com.