Even though it is in a home, the office does not require any less ergonomics and design than work offices. The time spent on a desk should be spent comfortably and, whenever possible, enjoyably! Wherever people work, study or read, the human experience must be improved. Inventive designs and technologies are continuously emerging as a result of intensive office ergonomics research. The main factors of ergonomics that you need to study for your home offices design are: natural lighting, artificial lighting, desk dimensions, chair dimensions and shape, and storage units. It is always preferable to place your desk in front of a Northern window, either parallel or perpendicular. But since we are talking about small office space, this luxury will be less applicable, however other solutions are accessible.
In small houses, sometimes it is tricky to find a suitable location for a home office, so you might consider putting a desk in the bedroom, in the living room or in the hallway. But what you rarely think of is that any neglected corner in your home can be just enough room for a small office space. Foldable, wall-unit, free-standing desks are some solutions for small home offices.
Following are 10 examples of small home offices that require minimal space.
1. Under-stairs Office Space
The under-stairs space is definitely an important yet tricky point in design. As much as the staircase itself is a focal point, so is the space under it. In this house, the reading area is the corner formed by the L-shaped staircase, where the under-stairs space is turned into a bookshelf unit. The latter together with the low-seated, slant-backed chair make up the office corner in this open living space.
2. Eclectic Style Office with Natural Light
Natural light can turn any ignored space into a functional one. The office in this apartment is small, but just enough to house a wide desk, storage cabinets and circulation space. A very common design mistake is the incompatibility of chair and table. The objection here is not on the style, but the armrests which are very high relative to the desk top. A desk chair’s armrests should be able to slide below the top.
3. Industrial Office Design
This contemporary, industrial desk receives a sufficient amount of indirect light. The small desk plant adds life to the corner. It would be a great addition to install a rectangular mirror on the wall to give an increased depth of vision, and thus reduce discomfort in long working period.
4. Modern Creative Home Office
The design concept in this office space is very neat and follows a grid. It is made to look as if the wall-hung cabinets are an extension of the third inner window frame. A minimalistic shape, an unrepeated color in the room, and a perfect location make the desk the most creative item and thus, the focal point in the small space. The turquoise accent office items give the office an identity.
5. Narrow Space
Narrow houses have been the most complicated to design and furnish. The owner of this house made a smart decision by placing the cantilever desk on the usually neglected entrance. The office storage in this small multi-function space begins on the wall above the desk and extends above the door level on the two adjacent walls.
6. Abundant Natural Light in Small Home Office
Another narrow house with big glass walls. The office room though is spacious relative to the total area and receives a great amount of natural light.
7. Relatively Wider Home Office Space
A very vibrant energy is always added by green hues. The white desk and grey upholstered chair fit perfectly in the room’s eclectic palette. And as previously stated, sunlight and plants always transform an ordinary room.
8. Traditional Elegant Home Office
The desk is placed at the end of the traditional elongated wall-integrated bookcases, just below the window level. The desk here is customized-to-fit and cannot be moved, making the side shelves to come in handy for the printer and other office stuff.
9. Another Under-stairs Home Office Space
This is another under-stairs space used as a small office. The treatment here is easy and inexpensive to do.
10. Lightweight Bedroom Desk
The modern transparent plexi desk is a good choice for this small bedroom. It visually tricks the viewer with the lightness it implies, and as a result, does not occupy a large space.
The major points you should keep in mind while designing your office space are: ergonomics (especially office chair armrests), natural light, shelving and storage spaces, and definitely design concept. Plants will add a lively touch.