If you’ve recently found yourself having to work from home, you’ve probably been making do by using any free space you can. And family homes are particularly difficult places to find a quiet, clutter-free space to work.
If you’re lucky enough to have one of your offspring fly the nest, then their old bedroom will make the ideal space to commandeer as your new office. But how do you turn an old kid’s bedroom into a professional home office?
Changing the floor and wall décor
You may find it necessary to give the walls and floor a bit of a makeover. This can be daunting, but it’s not really that big a job. Replacing old carpets for laminate flooring is a perfectly feasible DIY job to take on. Most laminate flooring is designed to click together, making the task easier. However, the fitting cost of laminate flooring may increase if you need to buy all the tools as well.
Walls are usually a straightforward job to tackle too. If you’re planning to have video calls with colleagues and clients, then you need to make sure your office backdrop looks professional. So, your offspring’s old posters and colour choices will need to go. Take down any posters, pictures and mirrors first. Then check for any cracks or holes that need filling. Finally, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got a clean surface for your paint. Sugar soap is recommended to remove any dirt or grease.
Setting up a desk
Desks come in many shapes and sizes, and not all of them will provide you with the right space to work on. Compact desks are great for fitting into small areas but may not provide a comfortable place to work full-time.
Before buying a desk, think about how much worktop space you need. Do you have a desktop computer or laptop to fit on it? Will you have one screen, or two? Do you need space for a printer, phone, or other equipment? If you find you’ve got lots of things to fit on your desk, an L-shaped desk may prove worthwhile.
When you’re working from home, it’s tempting to go for stylish options with desks and chairs. This is no bad thing, but don’t sacrifice your posture for something that looks pretty.
Finishing touches
There may be one or two other little changes you need to do, to turn the bedroom into a home office. You may want to take down the bedroom curtains and put up a blind. And if there’s a heavy fabric lampshade, you may want to switch this for a brighter light fitting. Creating an atmosphere that feels like a workspace rather than a bedroom, is key to getting in the right mindset.