Small Home Office Makeover Ideas

Adam Bender | Dec 20, 2021

Setting up and optimizing your home office is no easy feat—but by following some basic tips, even those with the smallest of spaces can create a conducive working environment. After all, it's a basic necessity now to have an at-home workspace.

Start with removing nearby distractions, laying out your computer wires, prioritizing ergonomics, dedicating work storage, and adding some life to your space.

Read on further to understand how to optimize your workflow with a simple home office makeover that's suitable for even the smallest of work areas.

1. Remove All Distractions

More a necessity than an option, removing nearby distractions is something that many first-time Work From Home (WFH) employees don’t easily understand. While this kind of setup allows you to work anywhere, being in a room with a television or bed can lead to a dip in productivity. For example, you might end up transfixed by the television or tempted to take a nap.

Aside from that, you could become distracted by family members milling about your home if you’re in a common area. It is for that reason that seasoned WFH employees should first remove all distractions from their work vicinity. To that point, choose an area that is not a common walkway, and keep your television, console, and bed away from the area. There’s a reason why the average office has dedicated cubicles, and it’s to keep you focused on the job!

2. Layout Your Wires

When considering the placement of your computer wires, first take note of where the nearby sockets are. You don't want to be too far when you need to plug in your device to charge or power it up.

More importantly, you need to plan out where the wire of your charger or power supply will pass through. Simply leaving it on the ground can cause you to trip over and hurt yourself or to run it over the wheel of a chair and break it. Worse, you might accidentally unplug your device & lose valuable work data when it shuts off.

If you’re looking for something stylish, you can try hiding your computer wires from sight. Set up a devoted area for cables or stick them inside a cord organizer. This tip applies especially to smaller spaces. The less clutter around, the better!

3. Go for Ergonomics

Working for hours in front of a computer can be taxing to your body—which is why it’s important to focus on the ergonomics within your home office design. When it comes to this aspect, the crucial factors to look into are your chair and desk.

Finding The Perfect Work Chair

As indicated by The Spruce, the right office chair should support your body while you work & allow you to sit comfortably without straining your back or arms excessively. There are numerous aspects to factor in here, but the important ones are the seat and armrest height, the back support, and the width.

To check for the height, the simplest way is to sit down and feel it out. You should be able to place your feet flat on the floor with your thighs parallel to the ground. Next, the armrests should be high enough for you to reach your desk & keyboard without angling your arms upward or downward.

When it comes to back support, the important factor here is to find a seat with excellent lumbar support. Your chair should match "the natural contour of your spine" to avoid slouching as you work. Width, on the other hand, is quite straightforward—just choose a chair that you will comfortably fit in.

Choosing An Ergonomic Desk

When it comes to desk ergonomics, the biggest thing to keep in mind is space. Make sure that you have enough room to place your belongings and more importantly, enough room to breathe.

Choosing an adjustable desk, in particular, will go a long way. These innovations can adjust in height, allowing you to do your work sitting down or standing up. While it may seem strange to work on your feet, doing so can help improve blood flow throughout the day. Plus, adjustable desks are perfect for smaller spaces. Many of them fold away when not in use.

4. Dedicated Work Storage

Give yourself plenty of dedicated storage, whether that be a set of filing cabinets or an extra bookshelf. Even if the majority of your work is online, it’s still a good idea to keep all work-related items in one area. In doing so, you'll be able to separate your workspace from your living space. If you don’t want to waste space, purchase a desk with in-built filing cabinets. Aside from that, repurpose unused wall space and create an extra nook for your work items. Remember, maximizing square footage is critical when you don't have a lot of room to work with.

5. Add Some Life

When it comes to makeovers, it’s quite easy to stay stuck on the functional aspect and the furniture, but don't forget to add some organic life to your setup. Having a potted fern at the edge of the room or even a succulent on your desk could do wonders for your home office’s ambiance. Plantlife also helps ease the harsh sight of a workspace. Your eyes will get some much-needed rest when looking away from your computer screen.

The Bottom Line

Optimizing your small home office with a makeover doesn’t have to involve anything too difficult. By simply adjusting some key aspects within your workspace, you can have an area that's both easy on the eyes and highly functional.