Many people seeking balance between their work and personal life set up a home office. Others create this space out of necessity.

Home offices — essential for telecommuters and home-based business owners — are vital in cutting down rent and creating space to work on projects. Then there are startups; we’ve all heard of so many companies that started from home!

The best home office is comfortable and functional. These design ideas will help you promote efficiency in a modern work environment.


1. Assess Available Space

Home offices should be separate from other household activities. Ideally, they should have a door to drown any noise and distractions.
All you need is extra space in your bedroom or your basement; then outfit that room with a laptop, bookcase and desk to create an atmosphere where you can comfortably work.


2. Make a List

Planning for your home office’s needs is important before you can even claim that corner in your room.
If your work lives completely on your computer, you don’t need much space — just enough for a small desk will do. But people who need more space to flesh out their ideas (like graphic artists and architects) should create space for large tables in addition to that desk.
Add some chairs for visitors and a printer in the list of essentials for your office to complete the setup. But keep eco-friendly business practices in mind — you don’t need to use that printer all the time! Often, an email will do.


3. Consider Storage and Organization

The small space for your home office can feel cramped even with the right equipment and furniture. So carefully consider organization and hiding your computer cords.
You can use a desk with file cabinets as the base, but don’t forget floating shelves to maximize your walls’ vertical space.


4. Install Proper Lighting

Choose a space that has plenty of natural light. This way, direct lighting is only necessary when it gets dark. Overhead lights help fill the whole room with light, and adding dedicated lighting can brighten a specific work area. Check out these reviews to choose gadgets that help prevent glaring when you are using your computer.


5. Consider the Space

Investing in the right equipment to fit the space will help you combine style and efficiency. A corner computer desk with a hutch, for instance, is a space-saving solution for small areas.

But if you have the room and budget for an impressive executive desk, then by all means, buy one! Remember: When selecting furniture and equipment, consider color coordination and size to ensure the pieces won’t overwhelm the area.

A corner desk is a great space-saving solution.

6. Separate Personal from Professional

When running a business from home, it is important to differentiate the personal from the professional. Set up a business bank account to avoid mixing business expenses with personal expenses. Dedicate space for your personal checks, mail and records to avoid a mix-up during tax time.


7. Establish Office Hours

Be consistent with the amount of time you work. Set a work schedule to help you stay focused. Hanging a clock in your home office helps you manage time and monitor the hours you have been working so you know the right time to rest.

Today’s Homeowner Tips

Once you set up a home office, you can forget about commuting daily to work. What’s more, you can run a home business without much hassle.

Do you have other ideas to create an efficient home office? Feel free to share them with us!

Alex Green is a freelance writer who knows how to organize a workspace.

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

Learn More