Creating Functional Space in a Home Office

A home office can be an excellent addition to your space, provided you get it done right. Whether you work remotely, handle the household accounts, or just need some dedicated personal space, you can make the most of your home office with functional features. A functional home office is bound to increase the value of your home, so you will realize a partial payback when you’re ready to sell. 

Do you have enough space?

You may be skeptical that you have enough space for an office at home, but with some creative planning, it’s possible to maximize a small space. If you don’t have an extra room you can convert to an office, choose a quiet nook or corner that’s not in your family’s traffic pattern. Get in touch with a local remodeling company for experienced advice. 

How to furnish a home office

Use the following checklist as a guide to furnishing a functional home office: 

• A desk

• A comfortable desk chair

• Task lighting above your workspace

• Computer, laptop, or tablet

• Printer

• Internet connection

• Dedicated phone line/cell line

• Adequate storage

You may also need a place to keep the tools of your trade handy. For example, if you are a commercial artist, make sure you have set aside space for organizing your supplies. 

How much storage do you need?

Depending upon your occupation, you need to ensure there’s adequate storage. If you want to keep your home office fully functional, it’s important to keep products, supplies, and/or projects neatly tucked away. Otherwise, your office will be cluttered and disorganized. 

If you already have storage in your office space but it is out of date, consider refacing your cabinet doors. If you have open shelving, consider adding pull-outs that keep everything easy to access yet out of sight when not in use. Companies like CPOS Refacing in Philadelphia offer stylish upgrades to existing storage shelves for your home office. 

How to choose the right desk

Your choice of a desk depends on the space and the type of work you intend to do in your home office. A desk can be anything from a countertop to an antique roll top. A perfect pairing of form and function should be your goal. 

If you mainly do computer work, a compact workstation where all your equipment will fit and function may be just right. On the other hand, if you plan to use your desk for product packing or assembly, a large table may work better as a desk. 

More ideas for a functional home office

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