The Pocket Office: Creating a Functional Work Station in Minimal Space

With the current job market in shambles in some locations many homeowners have begun to consider an alternative option to traditional employment: working online from home. Whether you're considering virtual assisting or website design, the secret to work-at-home success is organization and dedication to your daily tasks.

Image courtesy of Tyler Ingram via Flickr.com

It is difficult to say the least to accomplish these goals without a dedicated work space, but finding that space in an already cramped home can seem impossible. Consider the following tips for creating a functional work station without taking over an entire room.

The Newly Functional Closet

If you have a spare bedroom in your home chances are that the closet is a somewhat wasted space. We commonly store old winter coats, small rarely used appliances or sporting equipment in space like this. With just a little bit of objectivity you can probably either get rid of many of these items or move them to another location in your home thus opening up a brand new office space that you've probably never considered.

By installing a fairly simple shelf that measures roughly the width of the interior of the closet and some storage compartments along the interior back wall you can quickly, easily and relatively cheaply formulate a functional office space that doesn't take up an extra ounce of square footage. Still don't have quite enough space? Consider installing racks or a handy memo board on the interior of the closet door itself to further utilize every available inch of space.

To make the space your own and decrease the feel of 'I'm working in a closet' consider adding decorative touches such as wallpaper to the interior walls of the closet and a more ornate light fixture. Look here for more tips on turning your least-used closet into your most prized work space.

Compact Hide-A-Way

No matter how cramped your living situation chances are that you have a piece of unused wall somewhere in your home. You can use even the smallest of spaces to add a piece of furniture that can double as your work station. This is most easily done using a small, old fashioned desk that more or less closes in on itself to reserve space when it's not in use. This type of small desk can be placed behind a sofa, in a corner or even in a wide foyer and be put to use only when needed, thus leaving the rest of your space in it's normal function the rest of the time.

Working from home is a great option for many Americans because it requires little to no start up expense and offers an alternative to those having trouble finding work in their area. But without organization and a dedicated work space your small work-from-home endeavor can quickly become unmanageable and unsuccessful. By creating a personalized workspace you can both feel professional and help to ensure your success.