Getting the most out of small spaces in your home can be tricky, so making sure to carefully consider and design your space is key.
And, with home offices needing to be both functional and stylish, it’s important to consider how you’re going to utilise the space, to get the most out of it.
To help, office furniture provider Slouch has partnered with interiors experts Sophie Clemson from The Living House and Laura Price from The Home Organisation Company to reveal their best tips and tricks on how to make the most of a small home office space.
Make use of vertical space
Laura advises: “When space is tight, look up! It’s amazing how much more we can fit in (without it feeling overcrowded!) when we make good use of the vertical space.
She suggests storing tech, stationery and books lower down while reserving the higher shelves for paperwork and other things you might not need very often.
Sophie suggests adding visual interest to your shelves too, especially if they’re in the backdrop of your web camera. Sophie suggests: “If you have files or books to store, install shelving above your desk and use patterned boxes or rattan baskets to add visual interest. You can complete the styling of the shelves with accessories such as a trailing plant, vase or candle.”
Create a filing system
Having a filing system isn’t just something for the ‘actual office’ and with home offices typically being a small working space, it’s incredibly easy to start feeling like paperwork is cluttering your space which can lead to distraction, disorganisation and a drop in productivity.
Laura suggests: “Separate paperwork you need to sort from paperwork you need to file. And for paperwork you don’t want, make sure you have a paper bin and shredder close by so it doesn’t end up taking over your desk.
Staying organised applies to your drawers too. You might be tempted to throw everything into a drawer and have an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mindset – which backfires when you need to find something. Laura advises: “Drawer inserts are a great addition to help separate categories and keep some order. And don’t store too much in them – you don’t need 100s of pens! Keep a selection of essential stationary in your desk and either donate the rest, or store it out of the way”.
Conceal your wires
Working from home can lead to a lot of wires, and not only can a huge mass of wires look messy and clutter up a small office even more, but can also be a big trip hazard.
Laura advises: “Make sure you keep exposed wires to a minimum to help the space feel calm and clear. Cable ties, a cable box or even a peg board attached to the underside or your desk are all ways to help keep your cables under control and out of sight”.
Design the space for different functions
Often, our home offices might double up as a guest room as well as an office so it’s important to make sure that the space is designed for both.
Sophie suggests; “If you do have a small space and your home office needs multiple functions, make the most out of sofa beds. This will help to keep more of the floor space clear and makes for a great seat if you fancy moving around when working.”
Take your wall colour into consideration
It’s well known that different colours can evoke different emotions, so it’s important to take into consideration your wall and furniture colour when decorating your home office. You want your office to be a calm yet productive space, so Sophie suggests; “Opt for a paint colour that has a calming feeling, such as soft sage greens or warm neutrals. This will create a more relaxing environment for you to work in. Then add in a few plants for greenery”.
