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Original poster

Really small home office - tips please!

37 replies

Gubu · 11/08/2022 15:07

I'm starting a new job where I'll be exclusively working from home, in our tiny spare room, 8ft x 8ft. It's a square with wardrobe on one wall and widow opposite the door. Dh has gifted dumped a useful but ugly office cupboard in there. It's got glass fronted doors on top and plain on the bottom. And I've a set of narrow shelves that I acquired at some point in various house moves. The window is south west facing so I can't have my desk under it. Annoyingly the only socket in the room is where my desk is currently but I could get an extension reel to move the desk to the other wall.

As happens so often, it has become a junk room over the years so I have to unearth it at the weekend then figure out how to make it properly usable. It's bright and a gorgeous turquoise colour. The desk and ugly cupboard are oak and built in wardrobe is white. I've attached a pic of where the furniture is currently but it can be moved except the wardrobe. I will need some sort of filing cabinet for paperwork for work and for some volunteer work I do. I'm also starting some study in Sept so i need to keep that organised too while having everything as clear and calm as possible.

I'm clueless about design so if anyone has any suggestions for how to make the most of the limited space, I would appreciate any ideas!

Really small home office - tips please!
OP posts:
RomainingCalm · 12/08/2022 19:03

I agree with losing the ugly cupboard if you can and replacing it with a tall bookcase/shelving. Have one of the lower shelves a little wider (adding a piece of wood if needed) for your printer.

Ditch/move as much as you can from the wardrobe and use that to keep some things out of sight. If you add shelves to the wardrobe even better.

I'd move the desk so that it is in the corner but facing the window and get a good blind. When you are at home all day just being able to see outside makes a difference rather than facing the wall. And get a bird feeder for outside the window so you have company!

Think about your background when you are on Teams/Zoom etc so you don't have to keep blurring the background. Could you have some narrow white shelves just behind the door with some plants and a couple of framed photos or books?

Have a look for some nice pictures for your walls once you are settled.

floofmum · 12/08/2022 19:21

I'm still worried about the widow ?

RomainingCalm · 12/08/2022 19:25

floofmum · 12/08/2022 19:21

I'm still worried about the widow ?

🤣🤣🤣. That's made me smile!

Original poster
Gubu · 12/08/2022 19:33

I'm also worried about the window, @floofmum! I used the room as an office occasionally during covid and the winter sun is worse than summer. I'll have a look at blinds to see if there is something that will make it more functional but I also don't want to make it dark, I'm a bit annoying about keeping curtains/blinds and windows open all year round.

I'm going to spend tomorrow seeing exactly what I can dump and what will stay and then I'll be able to make the most of all your suggestions. Thanks everyone Flowers

OP posts:
floofmum · 12/08/2022 19:41

But @Gubu why have you left that poor widow opposite the door ? Is she still in mourning? Could she possibly be a designer who could assist you ?

💐👋🏻🤭

EmmaH2022 · 12/08/2022 19:49

Gubu · 12/08/2022 19:33

I'm also worried about the window, @floofmum! I used the room as an office occasionally during covid and the winter sun is worse than summer. I'll have a look at blinds to see if there is something that will make it more functional but I also don't want to make it dark, I'm a bit annoying about keeping curtains/blinds and windows open all year round.

I'm going to spend tomorrow seeing exactly what I can dump and what will stay and then I'll be able to make the most of all your suggestions. Thanks everyone Flowers

Let us know if you buy the study bed...or if you find a cheaper one!

Potatomashed · 12/08/2022 20:05

OP what app did you use for the layout? It’s brilliant!

Original poster
Gubu · 12/08/2022 20:16

floofmum · 12/08/2022 19:41

But @Gubu why have you left that poor widow opposite the door ? Is she still in mourning? Could she possibly be a designer who could assist you ?

💐👋🏻🤭

😂i didn't spot that!

OP posts:
Original poster
Gubu · 12/08/2022 20:23

@Potatomashed it's this one - i just googled room planning app and it was the first that didn't need me to download something! www.roomsketcher.com/

@EmmaH2022 definitely won't be able to invest in the study bed, but I did see this which could work in the corner if I swap my desk to the other wall and anage to ditch the cupboard
www.marksandspencer.com/ie/dylan-single-fold-out-sofabed/p/fhp60540698001. I'll clear out and use what I have for a bit first before getting anything else in there.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gubu · 12/08/2022 20:24

*manage not anage. Clearly typing and walking doesn't work

OP posts:
EmmaH2022 · 12/08/2022 20:26

OP a friend has something similar

I think whoever sleeps on it needs to be the type who can sleep anywhere. Or a small child.

tickticksnooze · 12/08/2022 20:26

I love that you came prepared with a beautiful app-made diagram to stave off a page of "we need a diagram" posts. Fantastic.

I agree with the comments about being able to see out the window while you work. WFH can feel very isolating if you are sitting alone facing a wall all week. It's a bit demoralising!

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