Maybe we’re all struggling a bit to define what work looks like for us these days. And thats okay! Some of us are taking on the roles of teachers along with our usual duties of homemaking and contributing to the work force. Frustrations are sure to pile up if we don’t address what needs attention, and theres no denying our interiors are playing a huge role in how we feel these days. In hopes of sending a little inspiration your way, we complied our favorite clever home office ideas. Check them out below!

CLOSET

Out of all the great creative ideas out there, this one is becoming quite popular and understandably so! It’s an affordable solution and allows the whole office to be put away once work is finished for the day (should you decide to keep the closet doors). This can be an ideal solution for those who have a hard time drawing a line between work and relaxation time, are limited on space, or have a handful of small children running around. The potential flexibility in selecting the closet to sacrifice is also a plus; choosing from several places in the home and prioritizing things that are important to you like natural light, visibility so you can keep an eye on the kids, or proximity if your job involves other parts of your home. When taking this small plunge, we do recommend playing it up a little. Allow yourself to splurge a little more on the details and consider having some fun with a little color or wallpaper. We promise it will make a big difference.

SECRETARY

With most of our files digitized, the secretary desk has found its time to shine! If space is a huge commodity for you, converting a closet, or even floating a shelf may not be an option. Consider modular pieces of furniture. Downsize as much as you can and find a piece to accommodate all the things you need for the day. When the work day is done it can all be neatly put away. Try finding a vintage piece and up-cycling it! We recommend using a unique color or wallpaper inside of the desk portion to really inspire you while you’re working. Little hidden gems like that are so fun!

SHELF AS ROOM DIVIDER

Maybe handy skills aren't your thing and the idea of taking on a full closet renovation intimidates you or you don’t have the resources necessary to hire someone to it for you. That's totally okay! If you find yourself needing a designated space, or just dividing an existing space, a shelf can be the perfect way to do that! We suggest keeping it airy and light so you can still see through it. Place the shelf between two workspaces for a little bit of a divide or float the shelf in the middle of a large room and use it as a desk wall. Make sure to consider windows here as you don’t want to block out any natural light. Decorate with your favorite things, and make sure to give yourself plenty of storage space for all the little things you want to keep out of sight. NOTE: Floating tall furniture can create a potential hazard for young children

SHIPPING CONTAINER

From she-sheds to in-law suites, we’ve seen a huge number of little shipping container structures popping up in backyards over the last few years. Unlike the closet office, these require a little more of an investment, but it’s worth every penny to the right person! If you struggle to focus inside the home, feeling plagued by chores and unrelated tasks, being able to leave your house may be exactly what you need. Containers are a great blank slate for the creative mind providing ample room for an office or even a small studio. They can be customized exactly how you want, and the best part, if you move to a new home you can take your tiny structure with you!

DINING ROOM TABLE

Lastly, if new furniture isn’t in the cards for you we still want to make sure you create a space for yourself! Working at the dining room table is no new design innovation but there are some clever ways to make it feel like a designated space. Consider keeping the table as clutter free as possible. Come up with ways to define the space for different parts of the day. Keeping a centerpiece or flowers on the table while it's not being used as an office can be a good reminder to keep yourself from mindlessly setting things down ultimately creating a catch-all. When working, remove the centerpiece and add more office-like decor. Play around with a couple accessories from around your home. Maybe a stack of books and a plant, a cute pet photo, a cool bowl to hold all your chargers or a nice small vase for pens and pencils. Keep it simple and make it unique to you so it sparks that little bit of excitement when you go to set it up for the day.

We appreciate interacting with the content we make so don’t hesitate to reach out if theres a topic you want us to cover! Most importantly, as we navigate this digital landscape together, know that we are here rooting for you, your space, and your wellbeing!