Home Office Space

[Slique]

So you've decided to jump on the work at home bandwagon. Your residence is fairly small so space is pretty tight due to the fact that you don't live alone and you don't have the option of simply building an office. Moreover, you don't currently have an income to budget building an office. There are visual distractions all around and it's sometimes noisy so it's not always conducive for working.

What would you suggest one do?

 

[jona]

As everything in life, it all depends on your budget:

1. Have a different computer for work and personal life if you can afford it, block all social media and distracting websites on your work computer unless your work is related to that. Have a different email account for work, don't use your personal one.
   
2. Have a different physical space for your work computer and only sit there to do work, no personal stuff. Have a separate room if you can, if you don't, have at least a separate and dedicated desktop just for work. You can get small desktops and chairs for cheap. The point is, sitting at your work computer on that different environment even if it is just sitting at one particular desktop in your room puts your brain into work mode.
   
3. Use headphones even if you are alone so you are not distracted from the outside.
4. Try to have a schedule and stick to it, be mindful of the hours that you are actually working, because you will need this information to determine if you are being productive.

 

[remnant]

You have to be creative and adaptive. There is always a quiet nook somewhere in the compound. When I began working at home, I encountered similar challenges. I decided that as long as there is a surface to place my smartphone I could work. You can even construct a gazebo behind the house and erect a stand or install a comfortable chair and a table where you plan to work from. You can drown background noises by having a radio near you and switch on to your favourite music. With time you will get used to distractions and get the hang of it.

 

[sandia]

You are talking about my exact situation. I started my business in a small apartment in a very noisy neighborhood. I couldn't afford moving anywhere else, and I had no control over the barking neighborhood dogs and often very loud neighbors. I couldn't even afford any decent furniture. But I managed to set up a simple consultation room in the hallway of my apartment, nonetheless. People started coming to me because what I had and have to offer is quite rare in this city, so they came for that reason, and also because my rates were affordable. I found a way to "integrate" all the shortcomings of my surroundings by making jokes about them and never being too apologetic. This approach served me very well, as people thought I was quite "original".

 

[Corazon]

My husband works at home with his online adventures. His office is in the corner of our living room. He has a cabinet for his things that also serves as a cupboard where he keeps his snacks. The only noise that distracts him are our dogs that bark incessantly when someone is knocking on the gate or when they espied a cat in the front yard. And when he is sometimes disturbed continually, he would stop working and continue his internet rendezvous at night, after dinner time. That would be a quiet moment in his office.

 

[Valerie]

So you've decided to jump on the work at home bandwagon. Your residence is fairly small so space is pretty tight due to the fact that you don't live alone and you don't have the option of simply building an office. Moreover, you don't currently have an income to budget building an office. There are visual distractions all around and it's sometimes noisy so it's not always conducive for working.

What would you suggest one do?

I had this problem when I was shaking up with my parents a while back. Times were hard. I wanted to to separate my work space from my sleeping space, but 9 times out of 10 I was holed up in my bedroom, using the bed as a sofa.

If you have the option of using an internet cafe, university hall or a library, I'd say get a laptop, put some files in a backpack or suitcase, and head to some place where you can focus. Chances are you can find a corner somewhere to settle down. It's not ideal but at least you'd have quiet. The other option might be renting a small space at a friend or relative's house.

 

[Slique]

Thanks to you all for responding to my post. Some suggestions are unrealistic for me at this point where as I stated that space is limited and funds are pretty much non-existent for new computers or renovation. However, the things that are feasible will be taken into consideration.

 

[thedude]

I recently made a thread about this. I started organizing my home into more of an office by using a large wall calender as well as a dry erase board. For some reason it works better than doing it digitally. What I found was that it caused me to have increased motivation and production goals have been met quicker.

 

[Ladyferoz]

I live in a tiny apartment and I managed to make my own office, it is in a corner and a clutter free place where I work. I did not spend more than $50 setting it up and it includes shelves, a comfortable chair, and a table. I mainly used Pinterest as a way to plan around and looked around for bargains and I found them.
It looks a lot like this

 

[jc banks]

As long as people respect the fact that you are working you can use your home office anywhere in the house. If however you have a problem with people not respecting the fact that you're working then you need to set some limits no one can control the noise outside.
A TV tray and a small box to put files in works for me most the time. I have to separate Facebook one is for when I'm not working and one for when I am working, and remember even when you are working don't get caught up and the everyday stuff you're working.

 

[jona]

I live in a tiny apartment and I managed to make my own office, it is in a corner and a clutter free place where I work. I did not spend more than $50 setting it up and it includes shelves, a comfortable chair, and a table. I mainly used Pinterest as a way to plan around and looked around for bargains and I found them.
It looks a lot like this

Jeez that's gorgeous, what a great use of such a limited space, you clearly have an eye for style. This is the type of project that people would love to see on a DIY type of YouTube video, that content gets lots of views so you should seriously consider starting a channel if you don't have one already to showcase the process of stuff like this. You basically transformed the space of a closet into a home office, if you took pictures this warrants a blog post at least.

 

[Slique]

I live in a tiny apartment and I managed to make my own office, it is in a corner and a clutter free place where I work. I did not spend more than $50 setting it up and it includes shelves, a comfortable chair, and a table. I mainly used Pinterest as a way to plan around and looked around for bargains and I found them.
It looks a lot like this

That looks pretty decent I must say. Clutter is my biggest issue (not by my doing), in terms of having workable space. I have many ideas that I want to execute where this is concerned so I'm in the process of locating the necessary funds to do so.

 

[Cleveland76]

I've worked from home in various jobs as well, and yes it can be a challenge, especially when dealing with distractions. At one point I was living in a one bedroom apartment so I did not have a separate bedroom to designate as an office. Thankfully my living room was rather large, so I was able to set up a separate desk in there as my work space. So I had a desk in my bedroom for personal computer use, and a second desk in my living room for doing work. You can probably find a suitable small desk for sale on Craigslist used, or maybe even find some people on there who are just looking to give it away for free.

Another option you may want to consider, if you have a laptop, is perhaps working from your local library a few days out of the week. When I was in between steady jobs, I temporarily moved back into my parents house for a period of time, and did this, since things were too noisy and distracting there. Coffee shops are another option - as long as you patronize the place and at least order a coffee every so often, you can sit there for a few hours and get some work done as well.

 

[briannagodess]

For a home office, you only need the basics, a table, a chair and an outlet for plugging in your laptop. As long as you have these, you are good to go. For me, I just went ahead and found an extra table around the house. I just wiped off the excess dirt and covered it with a tablecloth. Then, I purchased a chair that is soft and has good support for the back. Lastly, I bought an extension cord so I can easily plug in my laptop when I need to.

Basically, my home office is in our master's bedroom where my son and husband also sleeps. It's not the ideal setup but since I mostly work at night, it's good enough for me. I had it set in the far corner of the room so I won't disturb them as well.

Sometimes, if my son's sleeping already, I'd prop a few pillows in the floor and put the futon in. This way, I can quickly get to him when he wakes up in the middle of the night.

So yeah, that's my office/bedroom idea. I hope this helps!

 

[Ladyferoz]

Jeez that's gorgeous, what a great use of such a limited space, you clearly have an eye for style. This is the type of project that people would love to see on a DIY type of YouTube video, that content gets lots of views so you should seriously consider starting a channel if you don't have one already to showcase the process of stuff like this. You basically transformed the space of a closet into a home office, if you took pictures this warrants a blog post at least.

That looks pretty decent I must say. Clutter is my biggest issue (not by my doing), in terms of having workable space. I have many ideas that I want to execute where this is concerned so I'm in the process of locating the necessary funds to do so.

Thank you, I would say there are many interior designers who helped me create a similar space that is already quite active on Youtube and Pinterest. I was a beginner and did not know anything about drills, but they made it easy to understand. I believe if we reduce our possessions (by becoming minimalists) we could create more space. There is no space too small to create a home office, believe me. It is all a question of design.

 

[Gemma]

The ideal solution would be to get out of the house but if that's not an option then I find its best to at least get out of bed. Designate a work spot and only use that area for work. That means no YouTube or social media. It also helps to make a physical to-do list on paper for the day. Its really satisfying to cross out the tasks on actual paper once you've completed them.

 

[elisabethpoe]

Working from home has become the new norm for many people. However, if you're living in a small residence and don't have the option to build a separate office, it can be challenging to create a suitable workspace. On top of that, visual distractions and noise can further hinder your productivity. So, what can you do in such a situation?

To tackle these issues, here are some suggestions:
Make the natural light come to your room. You can buy door that is glazed and lets the sunlight come through.

Define a designated workspace in your home, even if it's a small corner. This will mentally separate your work area from the rest of your living space. Additionally, consider using visual barriers like room dividers or curtains to minimize distractions.

Noise can be a major hindrance, so invest in noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to create a quieter environment. Alternatively, you can use a white noise machine or play background music to mask unwanted sounds.

Communicate with your family or roommates about your work schedule and establish boundaries. Let them know when you need uninterrupted time to focus on your tasks.

Make the most of the available space by choosing compact and multi-functional furniture. Look for foldable desks or wall-mounted workstations that can be easily stored away when not in use. Utilize vertical space with shelves or organizers to keep your work area tidy.

If weather permits, consider working outdoors in your backyard or on a balcony. Fresh air and natural light can provide a refreshing change of scenery and boost productivity.

Remember to experiment with different setups to find what works best for you. Adapt and be resourceful within the limitations of your current situation. With some creativity and practical adjustments, you can create a productive work environment in your small residence. Good luck!