5 Creative Ways to Add a Home Office

With so many people choosing to work from home, it's no surprise that a home office is becoming one of the most desirable upgrades found among South Bend homes for sale. The good news is, you can create a home office of your own, even if you don't have a spare room. 

In fact, our real estate agents have seen many super-creative solutions when it comes to creating a home office space. Here are a few of our favorites. 

1. Convert a Closet
   A walk-in closet is the perfect spot to create a quiet home office. Consider storing your clothes in a free-standing wardrobe in your bedroom. Then, you should easily be able to fit a desk, shelving, and whatever else you need in the former closet space. The walls will likely already be bare, so you can get really creative with your paint colors and other decor.
   
   Don't have a walk-in closet? You can create a similar effect in a regular-sized closet. You'll just need to choose a smaller desk and store your chair in another room when you're not using it. This is an extremely low-cost project that's also perfect for renters.

2. Cozy Up in a Nook
   Most homes have small areas that aren't being used due to awkward size and/or dimensions. With a bit of creativity, you can turn these nooks into a unique and interesting office space.
   
   For example, you could use a space that's just a few feet wide by opting for a small laptop, a wall-mounted screen and an overhead cabinet for your storage needs. 

3. Use Your Attic
   There are a lot of ways to use a finished attic, and a home office is one of our favorites. You'll want to make sure the desk is centered in the area that has the most headroom. Then, use the side areas for storage. Horizontal filing cabinets or even antique trunks work great in this type of space. If there's enough room, you may also want to put a couch along one of the side walls.
   
   One of the biggest advantages of using this space for a home office is that it's separated from the rest of the house. This helps ensure that you'll be able to work without interruption and that you won't bother other household members if you need to take business calls. 

4. Take Over the Dining Room
   Most homeowners rarely use their formal dining rooms. If this sounds familiar, consider using turning it into an open-floorplan type of office. Install shelving, trendy lighting, and a cool table that can double as a desk. If you're comfortable working on a laptop, you can keep the space free of unsightly cords and easily convert it back into an eating space when necessary. 
   
   
5. Split the Kitchen
   Although the kitchen might not be the first place you think of when you're trying to create a comfortable workspace, with a bit of creativity, this can actually turn out far better than you could imagine.
   
   Consider dividing your kitchen by installing a partial wall or a slide-out screen. Or, purchase a fold-out desk with filing cabinets below and shelving or a hutch above.
   
   You could also extend the counter out by a few feet and then install sliding wood doors to hide your computer station. This will look similar to a breadbox or cabinet when it's closed and you can easily wheel your desk chair out of the room when guests are coming over.  

If you find that you really need a more traditional home office, then it might be time to start looking for a new home that has extra space. Whether you're buying or selling a home in the South Bend area, the experienced realtors at Cressy and Everett Real Estate can help. Contact us today to get started.