Tips for a Creating a Small Home Office

If need to set up a home office, don't worry if your space is limited. There are many ways to create a functional small space home office. Here are 12 tips for creating home offices in a small space.

1. Evaluate the space in your home for home office options. A closet, an unused corner, a storeroom, that odd-shaped space under the stairs, the oversized landing at the top of the stairs, or a tiny bedroom might suffice.

2. Determine what furniture, equipment and supplies you must have in your small home office. You will probably need your computer and printer, a desk and chair, a file cabinet and some shelving. As you consider various spaces in your home, think about where you can most efficiently install these necessities.

3. Take into account your privacy requirements. Depending on the nature of your business, it may be critical that you have a private office space with a door. If so, your small home office options will be more limited.

4. Choose multifunctional furniture and equipment for your small home office when possible. For example, a combination fax/copier/scanner/printer is efficient and space saving. Likewise, a desk with file drawers built in is more functional than a table.

5. If possible, install built-in cabinets and shelving. They are a great way to maximize the use of space and will make your small office look finished and professional.

6. Use as much vertical space as possible. Shelving and cabinets should go all the way to the ceiling or, if not, use their tops as storage space.

7. Use organizers wherever you can. There are dozens of office organizers on the market, so spend some time at your local office supply store checking out the options. A well-organized small office will feel bigger than it is and, more importantly, being well organized will improve your productivity, so an investment in office organizers can be money well spent.

8. Get a swivel chair with wheels. Just swivel and roll to reach almost anything in your small office.

9. Use all of the wall space in your small office. If wall space is not being used for shelving or blocked by furniture, get the most out of it by hanging a bulletin board or organizer on it.

10. Don't take up valuable space desk top or counter space with lamps. Instead install lighting on the underside of shelves.

11. Get rid of what you no longer need. Be ruthless about eliminating items, especially paper, when it is no longer needed. Buy a good shredder and use it regularly.

12. Store materials that are not currently in use but must be saved (such as paperwork for completed projects and old tax records) somewhere other than your office. Pack them in file boxes with handles, mark their contents clearly on the outside, and store them in the attic, basement, garage, or back of a closet.

Sources:

Christy Ferer, home.ivillage.com, Make a Stylish Home Office in a Small Space

Diane Steinbach, www.ehow.com, How to Make a Home Office in a Small Space/eHow.com