I’ve worked with home-based business owners for years, who had little less than the corner of a room for a home office. On the opposite end was a client who couldn’t find space for a home office within her 6,000 SF home (really).
If you think you don’t have room for a home office, think again. Start by evaluating the various rooms in your home.
Spare room
Advantage: It’s the perfect solution.
Disadvantage: None. At the end of the day, you can close the door behind you and enjoy the rest of your home.
Guest bedroom
Advantage: It’s almost as good as setting up your office in a spare room. To make your guest room double as your office (or is it vice versa?), invest in a hideaway bed or a Murphy bed.
Disadvantage: It can be inconvenient when guests actually visit.
Your bedroom
Advantage: It’s better than having your home office out in the open.
Disadvantage: You’ll be sleeping with your work. I always advise my clients to avoid setting up their home office in their bedroom unless there’s no other space available.
Living room or a family room
Advantage: You’ll have plenty of room to work. Use a computer armoire, a tall bookcase or a room divider to close off your office from the rest of the room.
Disadvantage: In a living area, it’s difficult to keep your personal life from interfering with your work.
Dining room
Advantage: Usually it’s an easy room to give up because it’s rarely used.
Disadvantage: If you use your dining room often, you’ll miss having a dedicated room for entertaining.
Kitchen
Advantage: You can stay in contact with your family. Make sure you have a clear work area and a place to put a two-drawer file cabinet (if you don’t have a built-in work space).
Disadvantage: You are in constant contact with your family.
Basement
Advantage: It’s an out-of-the-way place to work.
Disadvantage: It can be depressing, dark, damp, and/or lonely. Also, you need to make sure there is enough lighting.
Garage
Advantage: It’s separate from the rest of your home, which makes it more private.
Disadvantage: You lose the use of your garage for storing supplies, equipment and, of course, your car.
Closets
Advantage: It’s a compact office behind closed doors. You’ll need to install some shelves for storage, a flat work surface, lighting and a file cabinet next to (or under) your work surface.
Disadvantages. You’ll have limited work space and the loss of storage space.
Hallways, alcoves, landings and under stairs
Advantage: These make use of a rarely-used space.
Disadvantage: These tend to be high-traffic areas or too secluded.
No matter what size your home may be, there’s always enough space for a home office. Whether you’ve worked in the same space for years, or you’re setting up a home office for the first time, don’t overlook what could be the perfect place to set up shop.
Where is your favorite place for a home office? Please share your comments below.
Your article is right on point. I have moved my home office several times in the different locations you mention and I have to agree with your advantages and disadvantages. My home office is in the living room at this time, it works for me there because I can see the kids in action.
You bring up a good point about working from home… you can always move your home office. I’m glad your living room is working out for you. You’re not in the main flow of traffic (that would be the kitchen) but you can still keep an eye on your kids. Great idea.
Hi Lisa
Love your post as I’m a great believer that you don’t necessarily need a dedicated space to be a successful home worker. How about sheds and garden offices? They have the advantage that you can ‘walk to work’ and leave home behind!
Thanks, Judy. You’re absolutely right about backyard sheds, especially the part about the short commute. I’ve featured a few on the Working Naked Facebook page but I’ll feature a few more in an upcoming post. Thanks for stopping by.
When I first bought my house, we converted the 6th floor to an office. Then, my (ex)wife wanted one (after she moved in) and we made 1/3 the family room an office. As each of the kids grew up, we converted their bedrooms to offices. Now, my house has 2 offices and 2 libraries…(You would think I don’t have a conventional office or two…)
But, I must admit that I love the photo of your home office. Maybe that’s the next conversion for the guestroom!
Two home offices and two libraries…nice. Not too many people can say that. That’s not my home office in the photo, but I’d love to convert a spare room into a similar office. I’ll be sharing new photos of my updated home office soon. It needs a few finishing touches. Thanks for your comment.
My home office needs an overhaul! I have office-envy of your photo. My problem is that my office is also my studio and I have 3 giant printers, a big worktable, and all sorts of product inventory – all in a 10×10 office space. My husband keeps telling me I should take over the diningroom, but it is very open and combined with the living room. I hate the idea of not being able to close a door to it. And your so right about the basement being depressing. I think I need to be creative. Yours are all great suggestions and I’ll have to really give it some thought! Thank you! ~ Suerae
You’re not alone. Many people face the same problem…too much equipment and too little space. I agree about not being able to close off your space. I converted a dining room into a home office, but was able to close it off with French doors. Maybe there’s another space you could use in your home to store inventory to give you a little more room to work.
I have always tried to seperate my working space from my living space. Its a neccessity for me to have my own seperate study/office just to store my hundreds of books. My wife just didn’t see the practicallity of turning her dining room into my library. i like locking myself away get my work finished and then join the family. I try hard not to bring my lap top with me and blog comment,
I like having a separate space too, but others don’t mind working in a space that’s open to others. The dining room is a great place for a home office, so long as it’s closed off and isn’t a space you use often. You seem to be doing a good job of keeping your business life and personal life separate. That’s so important when you work from home.
Hi, Lisa! I work from home too and it was hard for me to find my perfect spot. We have a small house and there isn’t much room for a quiet and secluded area, so I just work in our dining room. I have 2 playful kids and it was hard for me to be productive with all the activities around, but later on I am able to adjust and my kids are learning to understand that I’m actually working and should not be disturbed during working hours.
The dining room is one of my favorite spaces for a home office. You’re doing a good job of teaching your kids that you need to work without being interrupted all day. It’s tough to make kids understand that, but they’ll get it.
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