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By Masha Koyen
If you need a home office for your work-from-home gig or latest side hustle, know that there are always hidden opportunities to create a well-functioning office space. Here are a few creative ideas to show that you can have a great workspace, even in the most challenging tiny spaces.
Work-from-home kitchen hacks
Having a small space doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice efficiency. The kitchen is a font of opportunity when it comes to setting up workspaces.
For example, a small slice of countertop can accommodate a laptop, desk surface and built-in desk drawers — a functional area that converts back to a kitchen counter at the end of the workday.
To unify your new built-ins, don’t get caught up getting too “matchy matchy” with things like your new drawer hardware. “Mixed metals are increasingly popular in kitchens, and it can offer a really rich design full of personality if you can layer it,” says Amy Switzer, senior marketing communications manager at Emtek.
Multi-use bedrooms for work-from-home spaces
Bedrooms make the perfect multi-use space. If you have a small child, they’re none the wiser if you borrow a wall or even their closet to create an office nook. As they get older, the office area is ideal for homework, projects and crafts.
You can also use the guest room as an office. A sofa bed allows you to free up space for your desk, yet creates a cozy space when guests come to stay.
Although the principal bedroom may offer enough space for an office setup, consider this as a last resort. You really want to have a sanctuary to retire to at the end of the day. However, if you choose a pretty desk that looks more like fine furniture than office equipment, it becomes less intrusive.
Carve out a niche for your home office
Every home has little niches that add the few inches you need to set up a desk. As with our kitchen hacks, a fold up desk works perfectly in these little spots. Even a tiny entryway can work in a pinch.
The smallest bedroom in our Ready. Set. Reno! project happens to have a wall niche perfect for a custom built-in home office. Stay tuned as we unveil the finished space down the road.
Upstairs, downstairs home office nooks
Unexpected square footage on stair landings or beneath the stairs could be ideal for a work space. A built-in desk and drawers customize the tiny space under the stairs — very Harry Potter! For landings, a trusty fold-down desk does the trick. Install shelves or a set of rolling drawers for storage, and voilà, instant home office.
Power solutions for work-from-home offices
Paul Hostelley, director of business development at Docking Drawer says, “When designing a home office, it's important to include functional features that will lessen distractions and promote organization and clarity. Docking Drawer outlets, for instance, can be installed with ease into any type of drawer to create hidden charging stations, printer pullouts and more, eliminating distracting devices and cord clutter where it matters most.”
With a little ingenuity, you can transform the tiniest spaces to include an efficient work-from-home office, even when you don’t have a dedicated workspace.
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Watch for the project website and YouTube channel coming soon! ready-set-reno.ca
In today’s pandemic-era environment, world-wide supply chain issues and construction delays are a reality, so plan your renovation well and be prepared. As things get underway, we’ll be sharing exciting before, during and after content including a video series featuring top experts, and you’ll be able to virtually tour the project at various stages of completion.
Masha Koyen is the founder of Content Vertical, copywriting and content strategy for the design-build industry.
Photo credit: NIICO Millwork Group Ltd. niico.com