How to Transform a Spare Room into a WFH Office

In today’s digital world, more Americans are working from home. Whether you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or have a flexible job, having a dedicated workspace is key. But what if you don’t have a room for an office? Your spare room might be the answer.

By turning an unused space into a home office, you can make a space that boosts your productivity and work-life balance. Did you know there are over 25 bedroom office ideas out there? From simple to cozy to creative, you can make your spare room the perfect remote work space.

Find an Ideal Space for Your Home Office

Finding the right spot for your home office is key. It should match your work style and lifestyle. Many areas in your home can be turned into a great workspace.

Spare Bedroom

A spare bedroom is a top pick for a home office. It has lots of space, natural light, and storage in the closet. Bedrooms usually have all the electrical outlets you need, making it easy to focus on work.

Walk-In Closet

If your bedrooms are taken, a big walk-in closet can become a compact home office. Closets might not have natural light, but they’re perfect for creative jobs like fashion or crafting. They’re close to your stuff and ideas.

Basement

Your basement is another great spot for a home office. It’s away from the rest of your home and can have extras like a waiting area or kitchen. Even an unfinished basement can be fixed up with drywall, flooring, and lights to work well.

Attic

An attic space is like a basement, giving you privacy and lots of natural light. It helps keep work and home life separate, which can lower stress.

Choose a Style That Suits Your Work Needs

Turning a spare room into a home office requires picking a design that fits your work style. Whether you prefer a minimalist, cozy, creative, or inspirational look, the right style boosts productivity and happiness.

Minimalist Home Office

A minimalist office has clean lines, bright walls, and little decor. It’s perfect for those who get distracted easily. It helps keep your mind calm and focused. A survey found 78% of remote workers like having a dedicated space to work better.

Cozy Home Office

For long work hours, a cozy office is key. It should have an ergonomic chair, a standing desk, and comfy colors. Adding pillows and blankets makes it a relaxing space. About 65% of home workers face neck or back pain from bad seating.

Creative Home Office

Creative types, like writers and designers, need an office that inspires. Bright colors, comfy furniture, and art can spark creativity. Studies show workers in their own office space are 20% more efficient than those in makeshift areas.

Shared Workspace Ideas

For Adults

If you and your partner work from home, a shared home office is a smart choice. Aim for a neutral office design that meets both your needs. Make sure to have separate storage and work areas.

Choose a family-friendly workspace color scheme and decor that you both like.

For Kids

When adding your kids to a shared home office, aim for a welcoming multi-purpose room design. It should work for both your work and your kids’ activities. A shared table, soothing colors, and storage for each family member are key.

Shared Home Office Features	Adults	Kids
Separate Work Spaces	✓	✓
Shared Storage Solutions	✓	✓
Neutral Color Palette	✓	✓
Communal Table	–	✓
Dedicated Kid’s Zone	–	✓

Transform spare room WFH office

The work-from-home (WFH) trend is on the rise. Now, 14% of adults work from home full-time. By 2025, 20% of employees will be remote. Turning a spare room into a home office is key. It helps you stay productive and balanced.

To start, clear out the room completely. This lets you design the perfect workspace. Measure the room and use custom shelving to save space.

In small homes, using the living room as a clutter-free workspace works well. Place a desk behind the sofa or use vertical space. Add design touches like accent walls to make your spare room conversion to home office unique.

Statistic	Value
Adults working from home full-time	14%
Employees expected to work remotely by 2025	20%
Employees with remote work capability who work from home full-time	35%
Employees with remote work capability who work from home part-time	41%

Adopting a WFH office setup lets you create a space that fits your needs and style. With careful planning, you can turn your home into a productive and peaceful work area.

Utilize Multipurpose Spaces

Home Office and Guest Room Combo

If your home is small, think about turning a room into a multipurpose home office and guest room. Use space-saving furniture like Murphy beds or sleeper sofas. This way, a spare room or unused area can be both a workspace and a place for guests to stay.

To make a home office and guest room work together, choose multifunctional furniture. This includes desks that fold up or pull out. It’s great for rooms that are both offices and guest rooms. Sofa beds are also smart, as they’re comfy during the day and turn into beds at night.

Murphy beds are popular for saving space in home offices. They offer a place to sleep and store office things. Adding good lighting can make the room feel both cozy and work-ready. Creative desk designs, like tables with hidden storage, keep things tidy and stylish.

Choosing nice chairs, like dining armchairs, makes the guest room look good while being useful. Use computer cabinets or closing bureaus to hide office stuff. Dressers and bookcases that do double duty help mix office and guest room needs smoothly.

Designing a multipurpose home office and guest room wisely makes your shared living space more efficient. It creates a place that’s both useful for work and cozy for guests.

Small Space Home Office Solutions

Even without a dedicated room, you can set up a productive small home office. Use corners, add custom shelving, and pick compact workspace design or space-saving office furniture. These steps help make the most of a small area.

A 140-square-foot studio apartment in Paris shows smart space use. It has a secretary-style desk that folds down. In a Parisian home office under an old French building’s eaves, the design is seamless.

In a New York City apartment, the office is by the windows. A Miami carriage house bungalow has both office and bedroom. A split-level Parisian home office uses a lower work surface. A hybrid home workspace fits in a dressing room or closet.

Compact Home Office Designs	Key Considerations
Black and white compact home office Light and bright home office with white shades Vintage desk and chair in a home office setup	Maximizing natural light Incorporating storage solutions Choosing multifunctional furniture Establishing a dedicated workspace zone Enhancing comfort and aesthetics

By using small space home office solutions, you can turn any small area into a great workspace. The right design and smart space use make a comfy and productive office, no matter the size.

Declutter and Organize Your Workspace

Working from home means keeping your workspace tidy is key. It helps you stay focused and productive. By decluttering your desk and using smart storage, you can make your home office a better place to work.

Start by sorting your desk items. Put essentials like staplers and pens in one place. Then, sort out things you can recycle or give away. About 75% of your office stuff can be recycled, showing how important it is to sort things out.

Sort your papers into piles for action, filing, recycling, or shredding. Having a special area for this makes it easier and faster. Shredding personal papers keeps your data safe from hackers.

Product	Price
The Everything Organizer Monitor Stand with Drawer	$32 (originally $40)
JIKIOU Mini Hand Shredder	$13
HP DeskJet 3755 wireless printer	$80 (originally $107)
Brother DS-640 Document Scanner	$113 (originally $150)

To make your home office organization better, think about getting storage like trays and shelves. This keeps your desk tidy and lets you work better without distractions.

Deal with sentimental items last to keep your decluttering on track. Show off family photos and other personal items in a way that adds to your space without cluttering it.

Getting help from a professional organizer can be a smart move. They can guide you to a more organized and productive home office. Decluttering and organizing takes time, but the benefits are worth it.

Optimize Lighting for Productivity

Proper home office lighting design is key for a productive WFH space. Try to use as much natural light workspace as you can. It improves your mood and comfort. Add task lighting for productivity and ambient lighting to make your space welcoming and well-lit. This reduces eye strain and helps you stay focused.

First, check how much natural light your space gets. Place your desk near windows for sunlight. Use sheer curtains or blinds to control light and avoid glare on your screen. If your WFH area lacks natural light, add floor or table lamps for task lighting.

Use different lighting sources for a layered look. Pendant lights or ceiling fixtures are good for ambient lighting. Desk lamps or under-cabinet lights are better for focused work. Dimmable bulbs let you adjust brightness to your liking.

Lighting Type	Purpose	Recommended Placement
Ambient Lighting	Provides overall room illumination	Ceiling fixtures, wall sconces
Task Lighting	Focuses light on specific work areas	Desk lamps, under-cabinet lights
Accent Lighting	Highlights specific design elements	Shelves, artwork, or architectural features

Optimizing your home office lighting makes it both beautiful and productive. Try out different lighting setups to find what works best for you. This will help you stay focused and efficient while working from home.

Invest in an Ergonomic Office Chair

In the world of remote work, getting an ergonomic office chair is key for your health and work quality. Sitting for long times can harm your body. So, a comfy and supportive chair is essential for your home office.

When picking an ergonomic office chair, find one that fits your needs and boosts work-from-home wellness. Look for a chair with adjustable lumbar support, a breathable mesh back, and a padded seat. These features can ease back pain and help your posture. Also, choose a chair that lets you adjust the seat height, tilt, and armrests for the best fit.

Prioritize comfort and support over looks when choosing an ergonomic office chair.
Consider a chair with a swivel base and casters for easy movement in your workspace.
Look for chairs made with high-quality materials and construction for lasting use.

By choosing wisely and picking an ergonomic office chair that suits you, you can make a comfortable home office. This setup will support your productivity and well-being all day.

Get Creative with Corner Spaces

When you have limited space, corners can be very useful for your home office. Using an L-shaped desk or custom shelving in these spots can make the most of the space. This way, you don’t lose the room’s flow.

To make a corner office both useful and nice to look at, follow these tips:

Choose a L-shaped desk that fits well in the corner. It should give you enough room to work without taking up too much space.
Install custom shelving or bookcases that go all the way up. This lets you store important things and decorations easily.
Go for architectural furniture with simple designs. This keeps the corner office looking clean and organized.
Add warm colors and natural textures like wood or leather. They make the corner office feel cozy and welcoming.
Use decorative office accents and indoor plants to make the corner more interesting and personal.

Being creative with corner spaces can turn an unused area into a productive and inspiring home office. It will fit right in with your living space.

Incorporate Storage Solutions

Turning a spare room or closet into a home office needs smart storage. Built-in cabinets, custom shelves, and multi-use furniture with storage are key. They keep important items close and reduce clutter.

Think about custom shelving units for vertical space and organized essentials. Floating shelves are great for their clean look and flexibility. A stylish storage cabinet or credenza also hides supplies and files.

For better storage, look for furniture with built-in drawers or cubbies. An L-shaped desk or a standing desk with shelves is perfect. These pieces keep your desk tidy while keeping your tools and resources handy.

Home Office Storage Solutions	Benefits
Custom Shelving	Maximizes vertical space, allows for customized organization
Floating Shelves	Sleek, minimalist design, versatile layout options
Storage Cabinets/Credenzas	Conceal supplies and files, maintain a clutter-free workspace
Multifunctional Furniture	Integrated storage, keeps desk surface clear and organized

Using these home office storage ideas and custom shelving makes a decluttered workspace. It boosts productivity and shows off your style.

Add Personal Touches

Creating a personalized home office is all about the little things. While it’s important to focus on function, adding personal touches can make your space feel more comfortable and inspiring. This can really boost your work-from-home motivation.

Start by adding artwork, plants, or decor that shows off your style and interests. A few special items can turn a plain space into an inspiring workspace that feels like your own. Think about adding a cozy throw blanket, a framed photo, or a decorative vase to warm up your personalized home office.

Hang artwork or prints that you find visually appealing
Incorporate potted plants to add a touch of nature
Display meaningful trinkets or keepsakes that motivate you
Add a personal touch with family photos or mementos
Invest in a stylish desk lamp or office organizers that match your aesthetic

The goal is to make a space that feels like home and shows off your personality. By adding these personal touches, you can turn your home office into a cozy haven. This space will encourage you to be productive and creative.

Item	Cost	Source
Anthropologie Washed Wood Desk	$1,200	Anthropologie
Herman Miller Sayl Chair	$500	Herman Miller
Anthropologie Peach Hanging Basket	$150	Anthropologie

By adding personal touches, you can make a functional home office into an inspiring workspace. This space will reflect your unique style and personality. It will also help boost your work-from-home motivation.

Maintain Work-Life Balance

When work and home are in the same space, setting clear boundaries is key. This means turning off electronics and lights after work. It also means having a special entrance and exit for your office.

Creating strong home office boundaries helps avoid burnout. Don’t work too much, and stick to 40 hours a week. Be open with your remote team but keep work and personal life separate.

Organizing your day and avoiding distractions are important. Take breaks to stay focused and productive. Treat remote work like a regular job, but don’t forget to take care of yourself and your family. With effort, you can succeed in your home office and enjoy a good work-life balance.