For many, working from home is no longer a temporary fix. It has become a lifestyle. Given how much time we spend at home, and now in our home office, why not make it more aesthetically pleasing? Besides, a well-lit, functional room can skyrocket our productivity. Try these 10 design-it-yourself (DIY) budget-friendly ideas to enhance your home office.
- Convert Your Closet into a Cloffice
If you have an empty closet but not enough room in your home to dedicate a space entirely to a home office, convert your closet into an office, or shall we say, a Cloffice. This makeshift office can be a great solution for those who have recently begun to work from home or for those expanding their families with unlimited rooms. There is something so cozy about this secretive, tucked-away workspace.
- Floating Desks & Shelving
If you need a hack that doesn’t require a ton of floor space, opt for some shelves and create a floating desk. Alternatively, if you already have a desk but need more storage space, purchase smaller shelves and add them above your desk. They can hold décor, books, small plants, and anything else you may want to keep nearby.
If you need a desk that can be virtually invisible as soon as you are done with your work, opt for a folding desk. This can be a great idea to place in a room that is multi-functioning, perhaps even your children’s playroom. That way, when you wrap up your work, your desk disappears along with it! Think of it as a Murphy bed, but in desk form. And if designing this project by yourself sounds too difficult, you could always purchase art for a pre-made one.
- Utilize Wallpaper
Peel-and-stick wallpaper is as easy as it gets. Opt for an accent wall. If you’re feeling bold, Printed Decor even has self-adhesive wallpaper murals to elevate your office space without having to hire a handyman.
- Accessorize with a Gallery Wall
Elegant décor can be quite expensive. Instead of purchasing paintings, hit up your local dollar store and purchase some picture frames. Then source your favorite quotes, or print out your most memorable photos. Maybe you recently received an award and you have a picture at the Gala, or maybe you have a photo from your company social; whatever it may be, frame those photos and hang them up to create a personalized touch to your office.
- Paint a Chalkboard Wall Calendar
The easiest way to remind yourself about meetings and important deadlines is to keep your agenda on display. Instead of purchasing a whiteboard, give your office an old-school feel and purchase chalkboard paint from Michaels or your local craft store.
- Revitalize and Repurpose Your Furniture
Sometimes, all you need is a fresh coat of paint to revitalize your space! Whether you’re painting your desk a new colour, adding metallic accents to your shelves, or lighting furnishings, a little goes a long way. Additionally, if the desk itself is just not doing it for you anymore, repurpose furniture in your home and use it as a desk. Converting your vanity, an old dining table, or a thrifted antique writer’s desk can bring a functional, yet vintage feel to your office without paying the big bucks for an entirely new desk. And if all else fails, you could always try creating a makeshift desk out of two dressers, and add a board to connect them.
- Incorporate Greenery
Let’s face it, despite how beautiful flowers are, they can be a real hassle to have in your office. They don’t last very long, and adding plant food and watering them daily might not be at the top of your work to-do list, and we don’t blame you. Enter fake flowers. An easy DIY hack to bring a pop of colour into your space is to put a fake flower bouquet in a clear vase and fill the vase with water. The water in the vase gives the illusion that the flowers are real.
- Hang a Vision Board
Vision boards are a great reminder of what you are constantly working towards. Whether it’s a salary increase, a promotion, or the desire to start your own business, being able to visualize those goals daily will only propel you in the right direction.
- Don’t Forget About the Doors!
Doors are underrated. You would be surprised to see what a difference simply installing crown moldings on the entrance of your office door can do for your space. Digital creator and interior specialist @reserve_home used crown moldings to elevate her room.
If your office is in an open-concept room or it’s a multi-functional space, opt for installing barn doors to give a rustic feel and to help separate that room into two.
- Coffee Station
Let’s be real. What’s the one thing that keeps you going on Monday morning? Caffeine! Build a (hidden) coffee bar for your desk. Trust us, you’ll never want to leave your home office.
Jackie Marson | Contributing Writer
