How to Set Up Your Home Office on Nearly Any Budget
Control clutter in your workspace with home office ideas that address your storage needs and work with your budget
Whether you work from home or are responsible for managing the personal bills, finances and other household business, setting up a dedicated workstation is a great way to stay organised. Resist the temptation to use a corner of the kitchen table as your office area – unless you’re extremely diligent about putting things away, clutter can build up quickly.
I always encourage my clients to establish a personal office area that’s off-limits to other household members. Perhaps you’re fortunate enough to have a spare room that can be used as a workspace. If you don’t have this luxury, don’t despair. Whatever your budget or size of your home, this guide can help you create a dedicated home office area that’s not only functional, but stylish and inviting, too.
I always encourage my clients to establish a personal office area that’s off-limits to other household members. Perhaps you’re fortunate enough to have a spare room that can be used as a workspace. If you don’t have this luxury, don’t despair. Whatever your budget or size of your home, this guide can help you create a dedicated home office area that’s not only functional, but stylish and inviting, too.
- Magazine file boxes – recommended for storing paper collected when managing a large project such as a wedding, charity event, home redesign, family estate or ongoing medical issue. Typically, brochures and other paperwork from large projects won’t fit in a hanging file.
Basic home office solutions
Setting up a home office doesn’t have to be a costly endeavour. If your budget is limited, consider repurposing a small table or desk from another part of your home or buying a used one. Charity shops sell inexpensive furniture.
Setting up a home office doesn’t have to be a costly endeavour. If your budget is limited, consider repurposing a small table or desk from another part of your home or buying a used one. Charity shops sell inexpensive furniture.
If you don’t have the space or budget for a small filing cabinet, I recommend using an inexpensive plastic file box, a fabric-covered file box, a basket designed for hanging files or a bankers box.
Consider storing only active files in your office. Remove files that aren’t current, such as old tax returns or old bills and financial statements. Consider shredding anything not necessary. Store necessary documents that are no longer active in a bankers box at the top of a wardrobe or other out-of-the-way place.
Consider storing only active files in your office. Remove files that aren’t current, such as old tax returns or old bills and financial statements. Consider shredding anything not necessary. Store necessary documents that are no longer active in a bankers box at the top of a wardrobe or other out-of-the-way place.
If you don’t have an extra room, I recommend setting up a dedicated workstation away from the household hangout area. Choose a place where your supplies won’t be disturbed – perhaps a bedroom, the corner of a living room or under the stairs.
Another option is repurposing a cupboard as a home office. The easiest approach is to remove the cupboard doors and add a freestanding desk or table, a filing cabinet and shelving. You might also consider installing bifold doors that you can close, so your belongings can be housed out of sight.
More: Genius Bespoke Storage That’s Both Practical and Beautiful
More: Genius Bespoke Storage That’s Both Practical and Beautiful
You might consider hiring a handyman or -woman to install wall-mounted shelves to create a small and functional desk like this one.
If you’re coming up short in terms of where to put your dedicated home office, I suggest touring your house to see if there are any wide hallways, nooks or crannies that might fit a small desk and some shelves. One of my clients repurposed a workshop off a bootroom for his home office.
Do keep in mind that you’ll need a power source for your electronics and you may need to install lighting.
Do keep in mind that you’ll need a power source for your electronics and you may need to install lighting.
Mid-range home office solutions
Many furniture shops sell office furniture in a variety of price ranges. I recommend steering clear of low-cost new office furniture if possible. In my experience, the drawers don’t pull out smoothly and pieces can break in a few years.
If you’re not in a rush and like to shop, see if you can find high-quality used office furniture.
Many furniture shops sell office furniture in a variety of price ranges. I recommend steering clear of low-cost new office furniture if possible. In my experience, the drawers don’t pull out smoothly and pieces can break in a few years.
If you’re not in a rush and like to shop, see if you can find high-quality used office furniture.
Ready-made cabinets might be an alternative to freestanding furniture if the available sizes fit your space. Working with a pro to install the cabinets will increase their total price, but will also help to ensure they’re installed correctly.
Deluxe home office solutions
Bespoke cabinets designed to fit the exact dimensions of your room create storage customised to your specific needs. You’ll be able to choose from many attractive design and finish options that are perfectly suited to your space. But these types of cabinets can be expensive.
Find reviewed carpenters and joiners in your area on Houzz.
Bespoke cabinets designed to fit the exact dimensions of your room create storage customised to your specific needs. You’ll be able to choose from many attractive design and finish options that are perfectly suited to your space. But these types of cabinets can be expensive.
Find reviewed carpenters and joiners in your area on Houzz.
Not all bespoke cabinetry is created equal. I recommend researching the options and reading reviews carefully. A product might look great when new, but may not hold up over time. Some manufacturers use inexpensive hardware, which means the drawers won’t roll smoothly.
That said, there are many reliable companies and craftspeople who provide high-quality products that will stand the test of time.
That said, there are many reliable companies and craftspeople who provide high-quality products that will stand the test of time.
Bespoke cabinetry can provide you with many features, including larger filing cabinets.
For those who don’t like visual clutter, built-in units can be designed to hide office equipment such as printers and shredders.
Home offices can double as guest rooms. If the room is small and you would prefer not to have a bed crowding your workspace, you might opt to install a Murphy bed, like the one seen here, as part of your bespoke cabinetry build.
High-end freestanding office furniture is also available in the luxury price range. Contact a designer or furniture maker to find appropriate pieces to fit your style and needs.
Find a cabinet-maker in your area on Houzz.
Find a cabinet-maker in your area on Houzz.
Final notes
I recommend taking measurements carefully before purchasing or acquiring any new office furniture. Be sure to measure the space and also get the measurements of the furniture itself to make sure it will fit. (A contractor or designer you work with should help take care of this step.)
I recommend taking measurements carefully before purchasing or acquiring any new office furniture. Be sure to measure the space and also get the measurements of the furniture itself to make sure it will fit. (A contractor or designer you work with should help take care of this step.)
I can’t emphasise enough the importance of establishing a dedicated personal office space in your home. This space should be off-limits to other household members.
Some of my clients do not work outside the home and spend their time parenting young children. Many are frazzled by the clutter in their homes but never thought about making space for themselves. Managing household business on the kitchen table littered with toys and cracker crumbs can be stressful. Everyone deserves their own personal space, even if it’s only a cubbyhole.
Some of my clients do not work outside the home and spend their time parenting young children. Many are frazzled by the clutter in their homes but never thought about making space for themselves. Managing household business on the kitchen table littered with toys and cracker crumbs can be stressful. Everyone deserves their own personal space, even if it’s only a cubbyhole.
Tell us…
How have you carved out a home office space? Tell us and share photos in the Comments.
How have you carved out a home office space? Tell us and share photos in the Comments.
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I recommend the following home office essentials no matter what your budget is.