Working from home has so many benefits. For a start, it can make you productive as you are in complete control of your environment and can ensure there are no distractions around you. It also saves you a great deal of time and money, as you no longer have to commute into the workplace each day. Plus, an office can add significant value to your home too!
But perhaps the best advantage of working from home is the fact that it gives you complete freedom of your working arrangements. You can start and finish work whenever you like, and take as many breaks as you have to throughout the day. As long as you get your work done, you won’t have to worry about being watched over by a micromanaging boss or attending unnecessary meetings that drag on for hours. It doesn’t matter whether you work for an online retailer or a data analytics consulting company: once you work from home for a few days, you will wonder why anyone would want to work in any other way.
But working from home is not as simple as just plugging in your laptop and getting to work. You need to have the right environment in order to be successful. If you’re just sitting on the sofa with the TV blaring and children running wild around you, this is not a scenario conducive to productivity. The best thing you can do is to create a dedicated home office, designed solely for the one purpose.
If you have a spare room in your home, this is the perfect opportunity to turn it into something useful. A quiet place where you can knuckle down and focus on your work. But it may take some effort in order to make it perfect. To get you started, here are five tips for turning a spare room into an office.
Start from scratch
Most spare bedrooms end up as the place where homeowners put their clutter. If your spare room is full of old furniture, workout equipment, and other bits and bobs, the best thing to do is have a clearout. You want this room to be completely empty, so you can start building your dream office from scratch. Get rid of as much as possible, whether that means giving it away, selling it, or simply throwing it in the trash. If there are items you can’t live without, find another place for them such as the garage or attic.
Plan your space
The exact layout of your office will depend on your specific needs. You will no doubt need a desk and office chair, but the rest will depend on the nature of your work. How much storage space will you need? Do you require specialist equipment? Take some time to think about everything your office must feature, and draw up a plan for the layout.
Redecorate
While your spare room is empty, this is the perfect time to redecorate, before it’s cluttered up with your possessions. You are going to be spending the majority of your working days in this room, so it needs to be decorated in a way that makes you happy. Paint the walls according to your color preferences, add some carpeting, and hang some artwork to give your office some character.
Fill the space
Now you know what your office needs, it’s time to start buying all the necessary furniture, storage and computer equipment. Make sure you’ve measured all the dimensions of your spare room so you don’t inadvertently buy a desk that’s too big for your space or comically small.
Make it your own
Now that you have a fully functioning office, the final step is to include some personal touches. You want your office to reflect your personality, and be a place where you can enjoy spending time. This is what really differentiates it from a stuffy office cubicle. This is where you have the opportunity to get creative. Put up some framed photos of your family, or inspirational quotes that make you feel empowered. Line the bookshelves with business books that have helped you over the years, as well as greenery to add a sense of calm to your surroundings. The opportunities are endless.
By following these five steps, you will be equipped with all the tools you need in order to transform your bland spare bedroom into a dynamic, fully-functioning home office. Your new space will be guaranteed to make you more productive at work, without sacrificing your ability to get things done and communicate with your colleagues.
