Having a routine can be highly important to being successful and productive while working from home. Beyond sticking to a regimented schedule, designating a specific workspace to use consistently, as you would in an office setting, is paramount to achieving success while working from home.
The idea of creating a home office within your master suite may not seem ideal. In fact, we’ve often heard to keep work separate from our sleep space. However, in today’s WFH world, it may just be the best (or only) choice, especially for those living in small homes and/or sharing homes with others that are distance working or learning.
The fact is, most bedrooms contain a few necessary elements to success: personal space, silence and light. Although these elements are far from unique to the bedroom, a bedroom is likely the one place in your home where you have complete control over how it is shaped. So, using a small writing desk, chair and a little strategic placement, you'll be able to completely transform a part of your bedroom into a reliable, productive and thriving work environment. By choosing items that complement your bedroom décor and making sure your space is organized, you can maintain a peaceful sleep environment as well.
With many different bedroom shapes and sizes, there exist just as many ways to transform your room into a home office. Creating a bedroom home office often doesn't take a ton of extra effort. Merely shifting a few items around to carve out a workspace and filling that area with the necessary materials such as a small desk, small chair and a few wall shelves does wonders to optimizing the space available.
The first thing you should do is select a small writing desk; this is because the desk will take up the most space compared to the other items and, therefore, will heavily influence your future design decisions. Ensure that the desk you select has enough surface area for you to work correctly. If you only require a single laptop and a cup of coffee to keep you working, you likely won't need a large surface to be successful. However, suppose you require more extensive equipment like multiple monitors, writing utensils, notepads and more to keep you working. In that case, you'll be better suited to sacrificing a little bedroom space to install a desk with a bit more working area. After selecting the writing desk that works for your needs, it's essential to measure your available space to ensure that the desk will fit, and remember to leave enough room so that you can still sit and work comfortably.
There are a wide range of stylish small office desks available. Choose a simple wooden desk with clean lines for a contemporary styled bedroom, or a distressed desk for a farmhouse style suite. When placed in a bedroom, your desk should complement your existing décor, and doesn’t need to be a focal point in your room.
Unless you're going to only use a standing desk for the entire time you work from home, you need a place to sit down after selecting the proper desk. Selecting a small chair requires no more steps than selecting your writing desk. Simply measure the space available and choose the design you desire. It's important to remember that you don't just want to measure the area for the small chair. You must also measure the desk itself to ensure the chair will adequately fit with the desk. After confirming the space is correct, remember to purchase a chair mat if you plan on selecting a small chair with wheels; this allows the chair to glide freely on carpeted floors or reduce the likelihood of damage to hardwood. You can choose a stylish chair mat that will complement the rest of your bedroom décor, or a clear floor mat that will add protection without taking up visual space.
If you are going to be logging long hours in your bedroom office, make sure to choose a small chair that you can sit in for an extended period without feeling discomfort. Look for an ergonomic design with sufficient lumbar support and padding. A breathable mesh back can keep you cool while you work, and a gas lift lets you easily achieve the ideal height for your work. Arms with padding can add an extra level of comfort, and adjustable arm height allows for a personalized fit.
Finally, shelves; having proper storage is an essential aspect of being a productive worker, and the fact is that most small writing desks often don't feature enough storage. You can add a bookcase or leaning shelves next to your desk to allow a space to put all your files and books. Choose a tall but narrow unit to gain substantial storage without sacrificing a lot of floor space within your bedroom.
Once you have these items set, it’s important to take inventory of your other needs. Do the shelves provide enough storage, or do you need a bin on your desk to make sure everything stays organized and doesn’t clutter up your bedroom? Can you add some tabletop décor to the shelves or your desk to complement your room and make you smile while you work? Is there space next to the shelves for wall art that will suit the style of your bedroom?
These simple bedroom office ideas are all you'll need to create a productive bedroom home office: a small writing desk, a small chair, convenient wall shelves, some thoughtful décor and, most importantly, enough space to place everything. With these elements, you'll be on your way to crafting the ideal home working environment.