I'll admit it -- it took me far too long to set up a dedicated work from home space in my house. Call it laziness or just denial about how long the pandemic would last, I didn't realize how badly I needed a dedicated space to be productive until I finally pulled the trigger. It really is a game changer for my productivity and my creativity (and also my sanity).
Since my home is fairly small, I was so honored that the wonderful folks at Gravity reached out and asked me to talk about creating an office set-up when square footage is limited. Apartment dwellers and homeowners alike have come to realize the importance of multifunctional spaces, and I'm no exception- my own home office was carved out of a small section in my guest bedroom! If you're tired of working at your kitchen counter or if your posture is suffering from slouching on your couch all day, listen up! It IS possible to create a GREAT work from home space with just a small wall in your bedroom or guest room. Here's what I recommend:
Start with space planning - When you're living in an apartment or just generally dealing with small square footages, your work from home area needs to be cohesive with the function of the room it's sharing. When you moved in, you probably put your bed along a certain wall and have never though about moving it. But now is the time to get creative! To plan out your new space, you can use blue painters tap to put marks on the floor where you'll be moving your current furniture and adding your new desk and chair. Ideally, you'll have at least four feet between your desk and any other furniture near it, but you can get by with three feet if things are really tight (just make sure to keep that desk chair tucked in when not in use so that your walkways are clear).
Consider the light - If a big part of your job means that you're on zoom calls all day, you'll want to consider your light source. Placing your desk against the window is MUCH more desirable than having it at your back. If you're facing the window, you won't even need that "touch up my appearance" button on Zoom, whereas if you put your light source behind you, you're likely to appear like a shadow on camera and no one will be able to see anything but your silhouette.
Add in the details - Desk accruements are a big part of the fun! This is where you're going to be spending the majority of your nine-to-five, so hang your favorite art above your desk and add your favorite decor (bonus points if it's functional). Things like a small metal easels make creative displays for planners or calendars, and lidded baskets corral tech items like lightning cords and SD cards.
To help get you started on creating a functional and stylish work from home space, I spent FAR too much time curating a mix-and-match infographic. This was a labor of love; I wanted this piece to have a little bit for everyone... and to be fool proof. If you need storage, I have desks with that! Want a super cozy chair? I've got those too. Each of these chair selections are designed to work with EVERY SINGLE ONE of the desks, and vice-versa. And, drum roll please, each of these desks in under 4.1" feet in width, meaning they're great for small spaces. It's the perfect guide to help get you started creating the work from home space of your dreams!
Shop chairs:
Shop desks:
And, for the top of the desk:
If you're a Gravity resident and you came here from Instagram -- welcome! I'm so glad you're here. In addition to the gift card giveaway, I'm also offering my virtual e{design} service for a flat fee of $150 per room (about a 75% discount!) for Gravity residents if you sign up in the next 8 days (prior to 3/1/2021). Here's how to take advantage of the offer:
Submit your personal information and design details through this form. Be sure to mention in one of your responses that you're a gravity resident.
That's it! If you have any questions about the service, don't hesitate to email me at hacketthousestudio@gmail.com.
While you're here, check out these related blog posts: Small Office Inspiration and Four Designers Inspiring Me Right Now. And let me know in the comments what questions you have about home offices and multifunctional spaces!
*Affiliate Link Disclaimer*
As you probably already know, when I post links to products they are usually affiliate links. This means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you purchase something through one of my links. Every product I share is something I love and in many cases I've bought for either myself or for clients. It's one the ways we keep HHS running, and why I'm so grateful you choose to read my blog! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for shopping with me and leave me a comment below to let me know if you're enjoying your purchases!
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