Find Space to Work From Home
Yes, it's a dream commute, but you'll need to find the space and boundaries to work effectively from home
Liz Durnan
25 May 2015
Houzz Australia Contributor. Previously a freelance writer and editor at a variety of magazines and websites in London, New York and Sydney. Now I live in the Blue Mountains bush in a strawbale house that we built from scratch. I write about my passions – mainly books and sustainable housing – while writing a book and attempting a permaculture garden.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Previously a freelance writer and editor at a variety... More
More and more people are working from home and the advantages are many – it can be very cost effective, it saves time, office politics are limited to the cat and dog vying for your attention, and yes, you can work in your PJs. But there are potential disadvantages. If you have a business where you need to see clients from home, how do you create a boundary and retain some privacy? How do you create work/life boundaries for yourself so that you’re not constantly in work mode? And what about the endless distractions, such as making yourself endless cups of tea and dealing with other family members?
The most important question of them all, however, is where will you create an effective workspace? You might be lucky enough to have a garden studio or a plan to build one, or you might have an attic or garage that can be converted; a bedroom that could be a flexible workspace? If none of these, you might need to simply cordon off some existing part of your house. Whatever it is, and whether you’re a one-man operation or running a Pilates studio, here are some tips to creating that space. But first, two essential questions to ask yourself…
1. What is it for?
Sure, it’s the dream commute – you wake up and walk straight to your desk. There’s no getting ready, going out on a cold morning, getting on public transport or sitting in traffic. But consider everything you want from your home workspace? Who will you use it? What type of business do you have? Will you need a large space for a workshop? Will you be seeing clients or colleagues – and how many?
2. What is your budget?
Next, you’ll need to consider if you want to spend money to establish your new workspace or if you’re going to work with what you already have. If there’s not already a space in the house that is a designated home office or work area, for example, do you have the budget to build an outside studio, or convert an existing outdoor space? Or is there a space that you could takeover where there is plenty of room, lots of natural light, a nice view, even?
Sure, it’s the dream commute – you wake up and walk straight to your desk. There’s no getting ready, going out on a cold morning, getting on public transport or sitting in traffic. But consider everything you want from your home workspace? Who will you use it? What type of business do you have? Will you need a large space for a workshop? Will you be seeing clients or colleagues – and how many?
2. What is your budget?
Next, you’ll need to consider if you want to spend money to establish your new workspace or if you’re going to work with what you already have. If there’s not already a space in the house that is a designated home office or work area, for example, do you have the budget to build an outside studio, or convert an existing outdoor space? Or is there a space that you could takeover where there is plenty of room, lots of natural light, a nice view, even?
When planning your home workspace, bear in mind that many of the costs involved in setting up could be tax deductible at the end of the year. Ongoing running costs such as heating, equipment, and phone and internet should also be tax deductible. Talk to your accountant if you’re unsure and check out the latest new tax deductions for small businesses in the recent budget. This might determine how much you’re prepared to spend on setting up your space.
All you need to do now is work out where to set up camp…
All you need to do now is work out where to set up camp…
CREATE A NEW SPACE FOR A HOME OFFICE
Build it outside
For many, this is perhaps the dream. Imagine all the work you could get done if you just had a room outside, close enough to home, but away from dirty dishes, screaming children, the chatter of your wife/husband… Just remember that it means you’ll need to heat a separate space, and that you might need to install facilities. Will it have a toilet, some kitchen facilities or will you need to return to the house for these services?
Build it outside
For many, this is perhaps the dream. Imagine all the work you could get done if you just had a room outside, close enough to home, but away from dirty dishes, screaming children, the chatter of your wife/husband… Just remember that it means you’ll need to heat a separate space, and that you might need to install facilities. Will it have a toilet, some kitchen facilities or will you need to return to the house for these services?
If you’re building from scratch, you have the space and budget, and you know you’ll be running an enterprise from home, consider building something into the floor plan at the design stage. A work area that is close to the house or even connected to the house by a walkway or deck, but with a separate entrance, might be a good option.
Plan an extension with a separate entrance
A larger space, with a separate entrance, might also be important if you need to see lots of clients. Take this large and light home studio space, where a physiotherapist sees her patients, for example.
A larger space, with a separate entrance, might also be important if you need to see lots of clients. Take this large and light home studio space, where a physiotherapist sees her patients, for example.
USE EXISTING SPACE
Hijack a living area
Think outside the square when it comes to selecting your workspace. If you have a large house with a few living spaces, it might be possible for you to convert one of these to a business area, studio or workshop.
Hijack a living area
Think outside the square when it comes to selecting your workspace. If you have a large house with a few living spaces, it might be possible for you to convert one of these to a business area, studio or workshop.
Convert awkward spaces
Do you have an area of the house that is slightly awkwardly shaped – long and skinny and perhaps not usable for a living area or bedroom? A space such as this might make an ideal office, such as the set-up pictured here, with lots of built-in desk space and storage on one side and more shelves on the other.
Do you have an area of the house that is slightly awkwardly shaped – long and skinny and perhaps not usable for a living area or bedroom? A space such as this might make an ideal office, such as the set-up pictured here, with lots of built-in desk space and storage on one side and more shelves on the other.
Cordon off
If space is tight, but you just need a desk to work at, can you find some space in your lounge area? You could add some doors so you can escape when you’re working and then shut it all off when you’re not. Even the bright feature colours of these doors helps to create a sense of boundary (and they also match the dining chairs).
See more study nooks
If space is tight, but you just need a desk to work at, can you find some space in your lounge area? You could add some doors so you can escape when you’re working and then shut it all off when you’re not. Even the bright feature colours of these doors helps to create a sense of boundary (and they also match the dining chairs).
See more study nooks
Glass it in
At first glance, this looks like a good-sized office, but if you look closely you’ll see it’s actually a very small area. In this New York apartment, by cordoning off the work area in glass rather than walls, it provides a physical boundary with a sense of space, whereas if this area was walled in it could feel like a very tight space.
At first glance, this looks like a good-sized office, but if you look closely you’ll see it’s actually a very small area. In this New York apartment, by cordoning off the work area in glass rather than walls, it provides a physical boundary with a sense of space, whereas if this area was walled in it could feel like a very tight space.
Or blend it in
Alternatively, in a limited space, you could combine an area in your lounge room with an office area. The key is keeping everything organised and having lots of storage. Note how in this East Village studio there is lots of built-in cupboard space, seamlessly built in around the desk to help keep the mess out of the multipurpose living/work area.
Alternatively, in a limited space, you could combine an area in your lounge room with an office area. The key is keeping everything organised and having lots of storage. Note how in this East Village studio there is lots of built-in cupboard space, seamlessly built in around the desk to help keep the mess out of the multipurpose living/work area.
Squeeze it in
This is a really effective, flexible use of space in a small home – in Central London where space is at a premium. If space is tight, it’s a great idea to employ your spare room as a multipurpose task master, to double up as a guest room/work room.
Once the bed is shut away, it becomes a workable office. With the bed completely disguised once folded away, you could even have clients or colleagues here.
This is a really effective, flexible use of space in a small home – in Central London where space is at a premium. If space is tight, it’s a great idea to employ your spare room as a multipurpose task master, to double up as a guest room/work room.
Once the bed is shut away, it becomes a workable office. With the bed completely disguised once folded away, you could even have clients or colleagues here.
Here’s further proof that you don’t need a large space, or your own space, to create a home office. With some clever use of curtains and lots of imagination, a multi-media producer manages to work, sleep, eat and entertain in her 30-square-metre rented studio.
How to squeeze a workspace into your rental
How to squeeze a workspace into your rental
Try the kitchen
Another popular way of finding home workspace is to set up a work station in your kitchen.
See more kitchen offices here
Another popular way of finding home workspace is to set up a work station in your kitchen.
See more kitchen offices here
CONVERT AN UNDERUSED AREA
Move up
Some of the most effective workspaces might be converted from an existing space, previously used as storage or even not used at all. You might be surprised at what you have if you closely examine every space in your home, such as your attic, for example.
Move up
Some of the most effective workspaces might be converted from an existing space, previously used as storage or even not used at all. You might be surprised at what you have if you closely examine every space in your home, such as your attic, for example.
If you’re concerned about lack of light, have you considered opening it up with skylights and windows? You could have lots of natural light and even treetop views. Talk to an architect or builder about the possibilities.
Click here to find a home professional in your area
Click here to find a home professional in your area
Or down
A basement is another area of the house, often unused, but with imagination and work could have the potential to be converted into a work and living area.
A basement is another area of the house, often unused, but with imagination and work could have the potential to be converted into a work and living area.
Here, an architect converted part of her basement into a large studio space for herself and an employee to work in, with a separate entrance for client access.
Garages or large sheds can also remain under-utilised. If you need to create a workspace at home, a little effort and money could convert yours into a really useful work area. Look how client-friendly this space is.
TELL US
Do you work from home? Share your home office snaps with us and tell us what you love about it.
MORE
Keep These Dimensions in Mind When Planning a New Home Office
Dream Spaces: Home Offices You’ll Be Delighted to Work In
Working From Home? Set Up an Office that Gets You in the Flow
10 Client-Facing Home Offices You Won’t Be Ashamed To Show Off
Do you work from home? Share your home office snaps with us and tell us what you love about it.
MORE
Keep These Dimensions in Mind When Planning a New Home Office
Dream Spaces: Home Offices You’ll Be Delighted to Work In
Working From Home? Set Up an Office that Gets You in the Flow
10 Client-Facing Home Offices You Won’t Be Ashamed To Show Off
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Some really excellent design ideas. The one with the 'bed in the wall' for overnight guests is really smart. Thanks.