As the Internet blossoms and more companies are embracing remote work, many people find themselves working from home. There are many benefits to remote work, from the nonexistent commute to the option to knock out your tasks in your pajamas. However, many people find it hard to focus on the task at hand when the creature comforts of home are all around.
The most commonly recommended solution is to have a dedicated workspace in your home. When you have a tiny home, however, there isn’t an abundance of spare space to go around. So what do you do?
The Hideaway Office
As HomeAdvisor explains, people are creating work spaces with flexible designs, allowing them to adjust their work environment to their lifestyle. One brilliant option people in tiny homes (or anyone with limited room) can consider is the hideaway office.
There are several ways you can do this, from desks that can be folded up and put in a closet to elaborate expanding workspaces. This is a great option, both for those who don’t have a ton of space to work with and for those who would prefer their office space is tucked away after the workday is over.
This also offers a valuable mental tool to those who have trouble creating boundaries between their work and home life. This is especially challenging when you work from home, as the lines can easily become blurred. When your office can be tucked away and out of sight at the end of the day, however, there’s a clear visual distinction between the modes.
Multi-Use Space
Living in a tiny home is all about using your space as efficiently as possible. To that end, consider making another space in your home double as an office. A natural option is your dining area. Simply set your work up on the table, then clear it off at the end of the day. This is a better option for those who work off of laptops than people who use more elaborate workstations with multiple monitors.
If you do have a computer tower taking up space, you may need to keep it at a small desk. However, HGTV points out that you can still keep the space as functional as possible by using the drawer space optimally. Whatever option you go with, focus on finding as many ways to use it as possible to ensure you’re using your space to the best of your ability.
Great Outdoors
Do you remember the last few days of the school year, where all you wanted was for the teacher to suddenly decide you could all pack up your books and work outside? When you work from home, that’s an option, and when you work in a tiny home, sometimes it’s the best option of all.
In addition to being just plain pleasant, The Muse explains that working outside can boost mood and creativity, helping you to thrive at work. Plus, if you work off your patio furniture, there’s no need to store it away and make space once you’re done.
Obviously, this is a climate-dependent option, and even if you live in the most hospitable climate, there will always be days that are too rainy, hot, or cool to work outside. Make sure you have some kind of back-up space inside of your home so you’re not out of luck when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Finding ways to make a work from home space make sense in your tiny home may take a little bit of creativity, but it’s doable. Focus on utilizing space as efficiently as possible, making the most of expandable and collapsible structures, and keeping out-of-the-box options in mind. Soon you’ll be in the tiny home office of your dreams!
Author: Natalie Jones http://homeownerbliss.info
Photo Credit: Unsplash