Working From Home? Create The Ideal Home Office In A Small Space

More Kiwis are working from home than ever before, so today we’re sharing some creative tips from our small space experts on creating the perfect home office…even if you’re working with a small space!

In recent months Kiwis have traded the 9-to-5 for PJs and Zoom calls.

This unique opportunity has introduced many to the benefits of working from home. It turns out we’re more productive with our slippers on. We’re happier, healthier, and less stressed. Skipping traffic jams and the morning commute gives us all extra hours in the day, too.

Kiwis have adapted well to working remotely. This will come as little surprise to the 18.4% of New Zealanders who are self-employed, or others who work contract, freelance, or otherwise already work from home.

They’ll also tell you it isn’t always easy. The home is full of distractions. So whether working from home is only temporary, nothing new, or you want to permanently make the switch, today we’re sharing some great ways to create the perfect (tranquil) work space at home.

1. Choose your space wisely

It’s all about location, location, location. Setting up next to the fridge, for example, isn’t going to be great for productivity. Or your waistline. Instead, try to pick a workspace that removes you from as many household distractions as possible.

We know not everyone is lucky enough to have a spare room to work in. So get creative where you can. Commandeer a spare corner, the dining room table, or even a built-in closet. They make great impromptu office nooks.

You’ll want to choose a spot that has good lighting, a comfortable temperature, and good ventilation (or heating, as the winter months roll in). Make sure your space also has sufficient access to power points. Oh, and the WiFi too – you don’t want to drop out mid-Zoom call (or do you?).

You don’t need a large space, you just need one that’s right for you.

2. Gather together all the necessities

You can’t expect to replicate your office layout at home. Or the technology. Who wants all those cables, anyways? That said, it’s still important that you have all the necessary equipment within arm’s reach.

Remember, we’re focussing on productivity. You want to make your life easier. Not more difficult. If you constantly have to move out of your space to recharge your laptop, print a document, or make a call you’re going to lose precious working hours.

Your list of necessities will look different from ours. Maybe it’s just a laptop? A webcam? Or perhaps your line of work requires a little more clutter? The idea here is to create a list of items that you’ll need to work efficiently in order of importance.

If you can’t acquire them all at once, at least you’ll have what you need to hit the ground running.

3. Optimise your working space

Take a look around your potential home office. Are you worried there isn’t enough space? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Your home office doesn’t need to be big to be functional. Here at Podlife, we know a thing or two about maximising small spaces.

Here are some tips:

• Install Wall Shelving – Vertical storage space frees up floor space, and prevents your small office zone from becoming even smaller. Think tall, not wide!
• Manage Your Clutter – Clutter directly affects productivity and crowds an already small space.
• Keep It Minimal – Workplace necessities must come before decorative features. If you want to decorate, choose a nice piece of wall art, rather than a large indoor plant (or a small indoor plant, if you can’t live without a little greenery!).
• Invest In Cable Management – Keep all your cables under the desk and use wall clips to prevent them from overflowing into your office area.

4. Need more office space? Consider expanding

Do you think you might trade in your daily commute for good? If so, you’re not alone!

A University of Otago study found that 89% of people working from home want to stay there.

Working from home is great, but it isn’t without its challenges. Noise, clutter, and the day-to-day running of a family home can all make things interesting. So, what can you do? Well, there are plenty of long-term solutions available that give you the space you need to comfortably work from home.

Take our Portable Office Pods as an example. They give you the standalone space you need to create the ideal work-from-home environment. Keeping to the key components that make a great home office, Portable Office Pods are insulated to keep temperatures stable, attract natural light, and offer plenty of ventilation. They’re super affordable, too!

Working from home…is it the way of your future?

Working from home is quickly becoming the new normal. If it’s something you think you’ll be doing more of in the future, we hope today’s article has provided the tips you need to create a comfortable, productive (little) working space of your own.

Looking for more big ideas about small spaces? Take a look at our other posts and be sure to check back later as we continue to explore the spaces where everyday Kiwis live, work, and play!