Many a successful business has started in a tiny corner of the home, with furniture and equipment already at disposal. While such a setup is affordable and quick, as the business grows it might impact productivity. If your office is still sharing a kitchen table space, it’s time for a home office makeover. Thanks to stylish ideas we see on Instagram and Pinterest, home offices have grown in popularity, so check out these ideas – they are perfect for homes with a shortage of space.

Secret space

A hidden nook is sometimes all you need for a peaceful and unobtrusive office space. Actually, any spare surface can be easily transformed into the highly productive office area- install extra shelving elements in a corner of the living room, and create an instant working or studying space. A decorative curtain can both conceal your workstation from the rest of décor and give you additional privacy for late night hours when you need to finish overdue tasks undisturbed.

Dual purpose room

When available space is low, it’s often difficult if not impossible to allocate a whole room to a home office, so having a multi-use space is a viable solution. A mid-century style desk in a bedroom with a vintage feel makes and unimposing addition that actually works. Guest bedrooms are ideal starting points since they are used much less often. And even when guests come to stay, a small desk and lean chair won’t look obtrusive. Shelves above the desk area and matching storage files should keep your clutter under control, while an addition of a freestanding mirror can easily make your desk double as a dressing table. 

Invisible office in open-plan

If your goal is to make your home office blend in with the surroundings, a glass desk is great, since it can almost disappear when not in use. Alternatively, you can paint your desk or use coloured contact paper to give your desk an appearance that complements the existing home décor. If marble-printed contact paper doesn’t really work for you, spray paint is also a good way of making sure your new office elements lose within your existing space.

Budget considerations

While decorating your home office might be fun, you don’t want to waste money on unnecessary items. While comfort and productivity shouldn’t be compromised, apart from a great office chair, you need to be frugal with the rest. Browse your home furniture inventory and see what can be commandeered for the home office use. Also, check out winc.com.au, a great place for office supplies from desk stationery to office furniture and machines. In addition to special deals, their online operation allows them to offer lower prices than most brick and mortar supply stores.

Homelike accessories

Unless you’re purposefully aiming for a contemporary look, choose accessories that increase the cosy feel in your office. An inspirational mug for a pencil holder, trendy notepads and sticky notes, and a decorative wastebasket can make your office look less formal and more like a creative craft workshop. Hide those utilitarian shelves behind curtains made from a gorgeous fabric and wrap your bulletin board in the same material. Inspirational prints on the walls or even your kids’ framed artwork will make the office really feel like a part of the home.

Go vertical

If your home office isn’t blessed with square footage, using space effectively is critical. Having floating shelves on the walls will get your papers and equipment off the desk, while vertical file folders on the desk can save space while still keeping important documents within arm’s reach. If you’re in habit of making piles, get a few basket trays to handle your mail, notes, and papers. On the other hand, if you prefer a clean desktop, dedicate one of the drawers for ‘to do’ papers.

Stand-up desk setup

Medical research suggests that an increasingly sedentary lifestyle is bad for your health, and one solution to sitting all day is having a standing desk. With all the features of a traditional desk like a keyboard drawer and monitor stand, a standing desk has a height that makes standing at work comfortable. Other researches, however, suggest that standing all day isn’t healthy either, so you may consider an adjustable desktop stand that allows you to work in both positions. 

Whether your home office is your primary place of business, an occasional telecommuting station, or a nook for paying bills and organizing family finances, these are simple ways to upgrade from that metal desk and spare dining chair in the corner.