Creative Ways to Make an Office in a Small Home

There are many reasons why you may want to create an at-home office space, whether it's for helping the kids with their homework, organizing important papers and bills, or working a primary job.

Since the pandemic started, more workers have begun telecommuting and have yet to return to the office. According to a recent Gallup survey, 45% of employees worked remotely full-time in 2021, while an additional 20% worked remotely part-time.

While some houses have extra rooms available for designing an office, smaller homes may require you to develop clever ways to utilize space. Here are five creative ways to make an office in a small home or apartment.

1. Use a Corner of Your Living Room

If you're dealing with limited space, you may need to double up on room functionality. One way to organize an office in a small home is to designate a corner of your living room for a desk and storage setup.

Although it isn't the most private space, you can paint the part of the wall you're using in a contrasting color, apply wallpaper, or add pictures to define your work area better. If you're lucky enough to have a window, you can also place your desk in front of it for a view.

2. Turn Your Garage Into an Office

Our garages are some of the most cluttered areas of our homes. According to a Sparefoot survey, 47% of Americans struggle to park their car in their garages because there isn't enough room.

If you typically have to park your car on the driveway, why stop now? You can declutter, apply a fresh coat of paint, and turn your garage into your workspace instead. Garages are usually big enough to convert into an extra living area, allowing you to include a sofa and coffee table, ample shelving, or cabinets.

You may also want to speak with a contractor about adding air conditioning and heating or call an electrician to install additional lighting.

3. Hide Your Office in a Cupboard or Closet

Making sure you're able to keep your personal and professional lives separate may require a little imagination in a small home.

Although 95% of remote employees say productivity is higher or the same as going into the office, it's important to be able to step away at the end of the day and spend time doing other things.

Converting an old cupboard into a desk area with storage will allow you to close up your computer and essential files and documents when they're not in use. This is also a helpful way to decompress and enjoy quality time with family and friends instead.

A hallway or bedroom closet is another option for an office where you can shut the door, as well.

4. Add a Floating Shelf as a Desk

Whether you're in a small house or apartment, you're going to want to save as much space as possible. A floating desk can be installed on any wall, dividing wall, or in a corner, allowing you to keep an open, clean computer station.

If you put a floating desk in your bedroom, you can add a mirror above it to create a multipurpose feature, such as a vanity.

Of course, because floating desks tend to be a bit smaller than a regular desk, you may want to keep your office essentials – notepads, pens, calendars, and laptop – to a minimum to give yourself enough room to work.

5. Use the Space Under the Stairs

Do you have an open area under your stairwell that's not in use? Place a small desk and open shelving in the cubby to create your new office.

Bespoke furniture may come in intriguing shapes and designs that better fit awkward spaces, while open shelves allow you to display objects or keep your workspace clean. Of course, organization is key in any stairwell office, especially since guests are likely to walk by frequently.

An Office Can Fit in a Small Home

With some planning and creativity, you can fit an office into your small house without any issue. There are plenty of areas you can work a desk and some cubbies into, such as the living room, bedroom, garage, or maybe even the kitchen

Keep it simple. All you need is a comfortable space to put your computer and writing materials, and perhaps a little storage to hide your important papers.

How to organize your home when you don’t know where to start

We've all been there: with big dreams but no knowledge as to where to start. This is quite a common occurrence, especially if you wish to organize your home. So, if you want to design a functional home office but also want to create a spare bedroom or completely remodel your NYC home - read on. We will help you organize your home when you don't know where to start. We are certain you will transform your home into a dream home with our advice.

Make a plan of action

You must establish a plan of action if you have huge plans but feel overwhelmed by everything that has to be done. Of course, choosing a beginning point based only on the end objective can be difficult. This is why you must first understand what you will be dealing with..

If you live in your current home

If possible, take a walk around your home and decide what you'd like to modify. Note this information, but do not start on these tasks right away. This stage is only meant to provide you with clarity. After you've completed a rough sketch of all the projects you plan to achieve, begin listing them by category. You can organize these projects by room, importance, or time required to complete them.

Prior to relocating

You can, of course, start making plans even before you move. Consider (roughly) what you want your new home to look like and how much work that will require. As previously mentioned, make a plan and list the tasks in whatever order fits you. After that, you may turn to bestmovers.nyc for help. They will ensure you have a successful move by helping you choose reliable movers. Of course, once you've relocated, you will most likely need to alter your previously made plan based on the newfound knowledge of your current situation.

Separate tasks into smaller ones

If you still feel overwhelmed, separate the plan into smaller plans. When you don't know where to start, always start small. For example, if your project involves restoring rooms, why not begin by doing so room by room? You may start by revitalizing your kitchen or remodeling your bedroom. It's entirely up to you.

On the other hand, if you feel you don't have enough time for even the smallest project, separate it into even smaller chunks. If you want to declutter your home, for example, divide the plan by area and then break it down into smaller tasks, such as decluttering one tiny section of the room.

Having plans that won't overwhelm you will ensure the most significant amount of success. So make daily, weekly or monthly goals instead of yearly and give yourself some leeway.

Some tasks to get you started

Figure out your storage needs

When you don't know where to start with organizing your home, the first step you should consider is figuring out your storage needs. As most people in New York City know - space is a luxury. This is why you should declutter first. Room by room, section by section, declutter until only the items you want to keep remain. After that, make a list of all the storage areas you have and evaluate whether you require additional ones. Also, consider how you can make better use of your space. The major advantage of the NYC suburbs, on the other hand, is more space for your belongings. So if you want to relocate to the suburbs, you won't have to worry about storage space as much as people living in the city.

Decide on a design style

Before effectively organizing your home, you should first determine your design style. Consider which aesthetic appeals to you the most and which you'd like to display in your home. This will prevent your home from seeming disorderly and out of place. Sticking to the same or generally similar style in each room will result in a home that is better organized and more stylish. If you don't have a particular style in mind, don't worry. You can decide which color scheme or general feeling you wish your home to have and start from there.

Deal with spaces you keep on eyeing

If there is any specific room or area you've been eyeing when thinking about organizing your home, start there. This is a great indicator when you don't know where to start. In some cases, you may have quite a lot of spaces that fit this description, so remember to start small, separate tasks into smaller chunks, and do as much as you can. You'll be much more driven to organize your home once you've successfully organized these eyesores.

Organize rooms you most often use

Rooms that generate the most traffic, such as your kitchen or living room, can also be dealt with at the start. If you start with these rooms, you'll be able to view the end result more frequently than if you organize spaces you barely visit. For example, you will have a daily reminder of how well you've organized the nursery room whenever you go and check on your little one. In some cases, these rooms can be the main cause of your anxiety, so tackling them first can have more added benefits, such as helping you achieve better clarity.

Take your time and breathe

An important task to do when you wish to organize your home and when you don't know where to start is to breathe. Organizing your home is never-ending, and there will be always more things you wish to do. This is why you should enjoy the process, understand your limitations and do the best you can. Once you finish even one small task, celebrate it before moving on. Never forget to take a breath and enjoy what you've done so far.

How To Minimize and Organize Your Beauty Collection

If you're a beauty enthusiast, it's fun to collect different beauty products and try new ones out. But if your collection is getting out of control, it can become a real burden on your space. As such, it's important that you have the right storage system in place so that you don't end up with an overflowing cosmetics case. Knowing which products to keep also helps with minimizing clutter. Here are some tips for organizing your beauty collection:

1. Use Dividers

Dividers are one of the most effective ways to organize your beauty collection. You can use them to separate your makeup by brand, color, or other categories. Placing your products in dividers will make everything look more neat and pleasing to the eye. It can also help you find what you need faster as well.

There are cheap plastic dividers available in stores or online, and you can even create your own dividers if you want to do so. Some dividers are even stackable, making it a great space saver for beauty enthusiasts who have limited space.

2. Create Categories

A great way to organize your beauty products is by creating categories and labeling them. This allows you to group similar items together and makes finding things easier. For example, you could create categories like foundation, concealer, lip gloss, eyeshadow, and blush. Beauty enthusiasts who have an extensive collection can go further and even categorize their products into colors or shades. 

Remember that keeping all of your products in one big container isn't going to work and will likely cause you more stress. They'll get lost among each other and it'll be hard to see what you have and look for them when you need them. Instead, break down your collection into smaller containers and categorize them to your liking. 

3. Declutter Regularly

Decluttering regularly is another good way to keep your beauty collection organized. Go through your collection every few months and remove anything that doesn't belong there anymore. When decluttering, make sure to throw away expired products or any products that won't be used again.

It's also helpful to know what kind of beauty products expire faster. For example, mascaras tend to dry out quickly, while pencil items like eyeliners or lip liners can be used for a year. To make decluttering easier, you can use a tracker app to note when certain products were bought so that you know when they’re already expired and should be thrown away. 

4. Clean Up After Yourself

Remembering to clean up after yourself is a great way to keep everything organized at all times. When using products from your beauty collection, always remember to put them back where they came from. This way, when it’s time to declutter your beauty collection, there’s no need to clean up huge amounts of mess. Everything is already right where you left it.

5. Make Sure You Have Enough Space

Knowing whether you actually have enough space for new beauty products can help keep your collection organized. If you’re planning on adding a lot of new products to your collection, you may want to consider decluttering some of your existing products first. This will ensure that you don’t run out of room for storing new additions and won't make your beauty collection feel too cluttered.

Another tip to remember when shopping is that if you don't think that you'll love the product, then don't buy it. It's a great way to help you only buy things that you'll actually use. So for example, if you already have a favorite facial cleanser, then don't go out and purchase another one unless it truly meets your needs. And if you're looking to add a new color cosmetics brand to your collection, try to find samples before purchasing full-size items.

6. Get Creative With Storage Solutions

There are so many ways to store different kinds of beauty products. Whether you prefer plastic bins or glass jars, these storage solutions can help keep your collection well organized and easy to find. You can opt for DIY options as well. Many people recycle old glass jars and bottles to store their makeup brushes. Others turn ice trays into lipstick trays. Either way, finding creative ways to store your beauty products can help keep everything neat and tidy.

7. Ask Advice From the Pros

If you’re really having trouble organizing your beauty collection, take advantage of online reviews and ask friends for their advice. The beauty community has been known to share tips and tricks about how to organize and store beauty products. You can join groups where people share their own beauty collections and ask questions. Or, you could even start your very own group by inviting others who have similar interests in mind. 

The Bottom Line

Having a beauty collection brings a lot of joy to many beauty enthusiasts around the world. However, it can be a chore to organize your current collection and keep it organized as well. By following this guide above, you can get started on making sure your beauty collection stays organized and clutter-free.

Guest Post - How to Downsize from a House and Get Adjusted to Apartment Living

While owning a large house might be a dream for many Americans, having so much square footage can be incredibly challenging as well. From empty rooms and high monthly bills to constant household maintenance, large homes can come with quite steep costs. 

For that reason, an increasing number of homeowners are deciding to downsize, but aren’t quite sure how to navigate this drastic and often overwhelming change. If you’re having similar issues as well, here are some helpful tips that will allow you to downsize from a house and easily get adjusted to apartment living:

Begin by decluttering your belongings

Downsizing to an apartment will inevitably mean you’ll have to learn how to live with less and get rid of some of your belongings in an effort to fit into a smaller space. For that reason, planning and preparing for a household move in advance, even before starting an apartment search, is always advised. Begin by decluttering your entire home, and then immediately throw out, donate, or sell anything you don’t need or use anymore. 

Whether it’s clothing items or unutilized equipment, removing unnecessary items from your home will allow you to realize that you don’t really need all that living space when it’s not filled up with clutter and chaos.

Prepare for the move in advance

In an effort to make moving houses easy, it might also be helpful to downsize ahead of time. Apart from throwing out any unnecessary belongings, this could also mean letting go of any large pieces of furniture or otherwise big and bulky items that aren’t likely to fit inside an apartment. This will allow you to adjust to smaller living before you move out, and it might even make the final move that much quicker and easier, knowing you have significantly fewer large and heavy items to transport.

Consider whether you wish to buy or rent

Once you’ve done the initial preparations, the next step would be to decide whether you want to buy or rent your apartment. While owning a home might be a dream for many, apartments can come at surprisingly high costs, including mortgage, insurance, and maintenance rates, all of which can be particularly daunting if you don’t own the house you currently live in, and can’t put the sales money towards your new home. 

In places like Texas, where the prices of apartments are currently on the rise, many people tend to look for beautiful Brownsville apartments for rent in order to overcome this hurdle. Coming in stunning complexes, convenient locations, and no additional homeowner costs, such apartments are truly the perfect solution for downsizing.

Think about the necessary requirements

In case you’re looking for a condo in larger cities like New York or Los Angeles, on the other hand, there are a number of additional aspects you might want to consider when searching for the perfect home. For example, if having outdoor space and access to a pool is something you don’t want to compromise on when downsizing, you need to include these amenities in your search in order to find the right apartment, as such complexes can be difficult to come across. 

Similarly, if you need additional personal, office, and storage space, or you even plan on expanding your family in the future, these are all important details to keep in mind when choosing the most appropriate apartment size and floor plan.

Finalize the move to your new place

After you’ve found your dream apartment, it will be time to sign the lease. But before you do so, it’s recommended to carefully review the documents and pay special attention to aspects such as the rent price, security deposit, and utilities, as well as any maintenance and damages policies, to ensure everything is as agreed. When you’re finally ready to move in, a professional moving company could be of great help, but you also might be able to complete the move by yourself, especially if your decluttering efforts were successful.

Make your apartment feel like home

Whether you are renting or even buying your new condo, making the space feel comfortable and inviting, without being overly stuffed, could be one of the biggest challenges you face when downsizing. When it comes to furnishing and decorating an apartment, size should be your main priority. Simply carefully measuring the rooms and potential furniture will be enough to help you select the ideal pieces for a smaller space. 

To make your apartment feel homier, personalization will be key. From bright wall colors and printed cushions to natural materials and textured rugs, there are many ways you could add more interest and dimension to your new space, easily making it feel like home.

Wrapping up

Even though downsizing could present a challenge for many homeowners, living in an apartment can actually give you newfound happiness and freedom, without mortgages and house maintenance weighing you down. And as long as you utilize the helpful tips mentioned above, downsizing might actually be a less stressful and more enjoyable experience as well.

About the author: Mike Johnston is an experienced blogger and editor with a background in creative writing and digital media. He’s a regular contributor to the ‘Smooth Decorator’ blog and numerous other online publications where he writes primarily about home improvement, interior design, and sustainable living.