Whether you’re a full-time entrepreneur, stay-at-home mom, or at home due to the pandemic, we’ve all been forced to slow down and spend much more time at home. Handling work, home, and family all in the same space can be hectic and overwhelming. It is important to have a space that you can dedicate to your home office. Having a space solely for your work is a great way to separate work from home amidst the pandemic.
However, not everyone has a big budget for the most lavish home office, and even fewer people can pay to have a professional space planner design an efficient home office space. Whether you’re working at home full-time or using the home office sporadically, there are a ton of ways to create a beautiful office on a budget. Let’s build your dream home office!
Budget-Friendly Home Office Ideas
DIY Decor
A desk is a must-have for every working space, but you don’t have to tap into emergency savings for the newest or biggest desk on the market. Instead, you can try a simple DIY desk by placing two filing cabinets in your office space and lying a board across. You can always take it one step further by painting the board a funky design or a pop of color. Sand the edges and voila, a brand new desk.
Repurposing furniture is a great way to use what you already have in brand new ways. Wall brackets make lovely books or envelopes. The fancy look will add a touch of class to your office at home or at work and can be used for other home projects once you’re done.
Organization Hacks
Low on space? Wall shelving is a great way to use your space more efficiently while also giving you the perfect Zoom meeting backdrop. If you don’t want the stress of a hammer or want to set yourself apart from the masses, try DIY Pegboards. Not only will you have additional wall space, but if you get bored with one look or want something fresh seasonally, you can easily rearrange them.
No matter how digital our world becomes, paper will always be a factor. House your files and office supplies in a neat and tidy mini office in a chest. Not only does this give you a clean way to store away important information, but it can also serve as additional seating for your furry co-workers.
Defining Your Space and Floor Plan
If you’re limited on space, we have to get a little more creative. If you’re one of the lucky ones who have more closet space than clothes, consider converting a spare closet into a cozy office. Try removing the closet door, adding shelving, and a comfy chair and you’ve not only created a dedicated space, but you can also hide it when you’re not working – the choice is yours.
How to Set Up A Home Office On A Budget
Step 1: Make a List of What You Need
Even though you might feel inspired to spend hours scrolling through beautiful, staged photos of home offices, your office needs can be a lot different from what’s presented in your fav home interior decor magazine or Pinterest.
Unless you’ll be client-facing or shooting videos and pictures daily, you likely can cut out some of the nice-to-haves like the super plush loveseat and custom accent walls. Here are some essentials to consider:
Work Surface:
Whether you decide on a standing desk, floating desk, or standard desk you’ll need a space to work. Someone who needs multiple monitors to do their job efficiently will likely need a larger desk than someone who just needs a small laptop. Factor in what you need to complete your jobs and find the best option for you.
Chair:
Consider functionality over fashion when choosing your chair. A chair meant for a high-end office waiting room might look nicer than an office chair, but you’ll wish you got the less than cute ergonomic chair after sitting in it for a few hours.
Secure Place to Store Documents:
Documents need a place to live, and ideally, that place isn’t on the corner of your desk underneath a mountain of other papers and sticky notes. Having a designated space for files allows you to keep your space and mind clutter free – and keeps your work confidential.
Supplies:
Be realistic when picking out what you need for supplies. If you’re not an architect you likely don’t need the most expensive pens or if you’re not in a product-based business you can likely wait on purchasing extra mailers. Sticking to what you need allows you to stay on budget and have more space.
Decor:
It’s very easy to go overboard in the decor department. You want your space to be inviting and productive, but remember to stick with your budget. A few prints or knick-knacks can go a long way in making your space cute and comfortable.
Step 2: Pick a Space That Can Accommodate Your Needs
You might be tempted to play around with different furniture placements day and night until the perfect layout works. However, if you start your office layout with a plan and measure the space you’ll save yourself time, sweat, and headaches of continuously shifting and fidgeting.
Step 3: Set Your Budget
Decide how much you can comfortably spend on your new office, then start to price out the cost of the things you need. It helps to make a list of one-time expenses and recurring expenses.
Once you have your numbers outlined, you might realize the numbers don’t line up. If the amount you can spend is lower than the cost of what you need, it helps to prioritize needs vs wants.
Step 4: Get to Work
You’ve planned, shopped, installed, DIY’ed, and everything in between. Now’s the time to get to work.
XO
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