Isn’t just the absolute worst when you’re in the zone and you’re getting your work done at seemingly break-neck speed and then BAM! Someone interrupts you and then when you try to get back to work, you’re struggling?
It’s frustrating having to work from home and find the space where you can do that without worrying about being in the same room with your kids who have to blast Spongebob Squarepants on TV or your partner can’t seem to make a meal without making a racket.
Well, you can rest assured in knowing that you’re not alone. HomeLight’s Top Agent Insights Survey for Spring 2021 revealed that surveyed real estate agents have clients who aren’t just looking for one home office, but multiple home offices! What’s even more interesting is that 1% said they even have clients who need a space where their children can do distance learning and that alone. have the space to, let alone multiple!
You don’t have to buy a whole new house just to have a home office – you can create a home office using the space you already have and we have some tips to do just that.
1. Pick a room and remove everything
A home office doesn’t have to be a den that’s secluded from the rest of the house. You can choose a spare room that’s currently being used as a catch all. You could even clear out a corner in the living room.
Wherever you decide your office space will be, clear out everything (and clean as you go!). This means removing all furniture, boxes of stuff, books, and so on. By having a clean slate, it’ll be easier to do the next step.
2. Decide what the room is going to be used for
With the room (or corner) completely empty, now you’re going to want to have a clear vision of what the room will be used for. Is it going to be just an office, or does it have to act as a spare room for guests? Does it have to be a craft room or a couponing room?
Whatever the room will need to be, now you figure out what items need to go back into the room and what things you can add.
3. Purge everything you do not need/want
When you’re deciding what to put back in the room, go through everything. Sift through the books or magazines that have never been read. Sort through any clothes, jackets or bedding that you could do away with. Just keep in mind that anything you do want to get rid of, see if someone you know could use it or just donate it to Goodwill.
4. Find a storage system that works for your family
Once everything is back in the room, figure out a storage system that’ll work for your family. You could hire a professional closet systems company to convert your closet into a filing/storage system for your work items. You could use filing cabinets, storage bins or baskets, or whatever you think will be the most effective storage system for your needs.
5. Keep your space tidy and organized
Now that you have your space all organized and situated, you are going to want to keep it that way! Have all of your work items together in their own space. If your children have to use the space for distance learning, create a system where all of the materials they’ll need for a particular class are stored together.
The name of the game here is to create a space that is organized, functional and that promotes productivity and there’s no better way to be productive than to have an organized room!
