You might not have planned on working from home but circumstances have forced your hand and now you are faced with creating a home office where you can get everything done on time. If you have found yourself in this situation, just like many other people, don’t fret. Even if you are working on a budget, you should be able to carve out some space for your work obligations. Keep on reading for some tips on furnishing a home office when you have limited funds.
Find the right space for your office
The first way how you will save some money is by holding off on building an extension to your home before you are sure that will this be a permanent situation. There is no need to add a new room if working from home might only last for a while. However, even if you turned a hobby into a source of income, you can still wait a bit before you use all your savings for a new office. With that in mind, see whether you can use a corner of the living room or a part of your bedroom as an office. Moreover, maybe you can use a guest bedroom for this purpose. Consider your garage or basement as well. You can surely carve out some space for yourself without having to spend a lot of money on an addition.
Look for pieces you can repurpose
Once you’ve found the perfect space for your office, you need to furnish it. There is no need to spend tons of money on furniture if you already have some pieces at home that you can repurpose. For example, maybe you have a half-empty shelf that you can empty out completely and use in your new office. A fresh coat of paint could be all you need to give it a new life. You can do the same with tables, lamps, and other pieces. While you should invest in an ergonomic chair, a desk is something that you can repurpose or even make on your own. On the other hand, you can ask your friends and relatives whether they have some items you can use. Finally, keep an eye out for sales in local stores and on Craigslist and frequent flea markets and garage sales to see if you can find some eye-catching pieces at a great price.
Incorporate multipurpose décor
You don’t want your office to be dull, so dedicating some time to décor is important as well. The first thing you can do is give the walls a makeover. For example, if you’re working in a guest bedroom, you can get some paint and completely transform the space for very little money. Blue and green hues are great for boosting concentration while yellows and red can increase your creativity. You can also consider putting up patterned wallpaper as it can make the area seem sophisticated and professional. This can come in especially handy if your job requires plenty of online meetings. You don’t want the people you’re talking to getting the impression that you are messy. That is why you need to make the most of the décor that you have and create a nice environment for your office. Some other things to consider getting include cute quilt covers, nice lampshades, and multifunctional furniture pieces that can also function as décor. None of these little upgrades will set you back yet they can help you set a professional atmosphere.
Get affordable art pieces
Something else that will take your office space to the next level is art. While some pieces can be very pricey, you can also find affordable artwork that you can proudly display. Start by looking online or in a local shop that supports local artists. On the other hand, if you are creative, you can also do some painting, sculpting, or crafting on your own. Customizing accessories to fit your workplace and showing off your skills is a great way to save some money. Finally, if you have kids, you can ask them to make you something you can hang.
Take advantage of special supply offers
Lastly, if you need office supplies, you should learn how to save money when purchasing the essentials. It’s good to always be on the lookout for special offers. Whether you need paper, folders, pens, staples, or something else, getting them when they are on sale is a great approach. Plus, the internet has allowed us to easily compare prices in various shops and get items where they are most affordable. However, keep in mind that while some things you can buy in bulk to save money, you will need enough storage to put it all away.
If you have a spare room or a corner you can section off, some furniture pieces you can repurpose, and some creativity, you can easily create a home office even when working on a budget.
