In light of current world events involving the Coronavirus, many people are faced with the new reality of working from home. Working from home isn’t a new trend, but with so many individuals opting for social isolation, it has firmly established itself as a new element of many people’s life. And with many families now confronting the new reality of homeschooling their children, our houses must now work in various ways simultaneously.
If you’re one of the many people who can work from home in these unusual times, you might be looking for some home office inspiration. However, not everyone has a spare room that may be used as a workspace. Consider adding an office space into your living room if you’ve been working from your warm two-seater sofa. Here are some tips for creating a home office in your living room.
1. Put your desk in front of the sofa.
If you have an open floor plan and your sofa “floats” in the middle of the room, putting a desk behind it is a terrific alternative. Instead of a console table, bench, you can turn that space into a home office setup.
This is also a simple method for youngsters to set up a homework station, especially today when many families work and educate their children at home.
2. Utilize an unused nook.
Many people are using their closets as impromptu office spaces now that entire households are working from home. You can use the closet as a quiet place to take a call, a spot to catch your breath, or even a full-fledged workspace if necessary.
This is a creative solution for any odd nook, corner, or closet in your home. Simply add a desk or table, a chair, and adequate lighting to create a compact office setup that blends in seamlessly with your living area while taking up minimal space.
3. Consider getting a mini desk for work.
Consider placing a small desk or even a cocktail table into an underused corner if you don’t require a significant office setup. This will provide you with a convenient dedicated workspace where you can set up your laptop and get to work without having to leave the sofa.
This is an excellent choice for crowded living rooms or family rooms. You can set it up close by to keep an eye on the action while still having a place to focus as a designated homework zone for kids. You can also put it up close by to keep an eye on the action while still having a place to focus.
4. Make the most of your built-ins.
Consider incorporating a home office into your living area if you have built-ins. Consider removing the cupboards from one of the units and replacing them with a workstation. You could even put a desk in front of the built-ins in a pinch and use the shelving space above for more office storage.
5. Maximize underused areas.
Make a small workspace out of the forgotten spaces in your living room. This might be anything from an underused corner to the area between your sofa and the wall. The spaces, which are frequently underutilized, are ideal for squeezing in a workstation.
If you currently have a side table there, consider removing it and replacing it with a desk. This is an excellent hack because you can use the desk as a table while you’re not working, which means it won’t interfere with your living room’s normal functions.
6. Make the office layout work for you.
Living in a small place or an apartment frequently involves making the most of your limited area. This is true of any multi-purpose space, such as a living room serving as a home office.
Pull a desk into your present arrangement to create a seamless live/work environment by adding an office into your main seating area. For example, we placed a desk, usually where the credenza or TV stand would go. This keeps the existing arrangement, adds a home office, and can still be used as a stand for watching TV when it’s time to go for the day.
8. Incorporate a desk into a pass-through area.
If you have an open living area, there are probably some walls or pass-through places that aren’t being used. Place a desk in these passages to put them to use.
Consider one with wall-mounted bookcases to maximize storage while also providing a workstation. If you don’t have any built-ins, this is an excellent approach to gain their functionality.
9. Make the most of shelving as a workspace.
If you’re short on space, avoid the effort of putting together an entire desk. Instead, a three-in-one wall shelf unit serves as a laptop workstation, a side table, and a bookcase.
Pull up a chair and stock your shelves with books and office supplies, and you’ll have a well-organized room that’s both elegant and functional when in use.
10. Make use of the space under your stairs.
Do you have an open stairwell? Make a home office out of that uncomfortable wedge of space. This is a terrific way to boost your home’s use without taking up any additional square footage, as this is a place that would likely go unused otherwise.
Place your workstation on the farthest side of the room, and use the lower clearance for additional storage. You can also use it as a semi-private study space for youngsters who are homeschooled.
