How to create a home office without losing a room

After 12 months none of us wish to repeat, things are slowly starting to get back to normal. But it seems ‘normal’ is going to look a little different…

Government guidelines have previously dictated that employees should work from home wherever possible. When this was first announced it was a huge shakeup, forcing businesses – and their staff – to think outside of the box and find new ways of working.

After a shaky start, the move has been declared pretty successful all-round. There’s lots to like about working in your own familiar space and spending more time in bed rather than enduring a gruelling commute. And more businesses have opened up to the idea of homeworking, recognising the improved work/life balance and increased productivity that can come with it.

Whatever your preference, the focus has definitely shifted. In fact, recent figures from a YouGov survey revealed that 57% of British workers would now choose to work from home – with 37% preferring the best of both worlds with some days still spent in the office and 20% looking to stay home full time.

It makes sense then, that if you want to sell your home, creating a space where people can picture themselves working is a great idea. Not only will it make your home more appealing, but it will give it a distinct edge over other similar properties on the market.

 

Get workspace savvy

The luxury of space to build a dedicated study would be lovely – but how many of us have that kind of room to spare? Good news then, that there are actually plenty of alternative ways you can create a comfortable working space without sacrificing a full room. Read on to find out more…

• Share space

Take an objective look at each of the rooms in your house – it’s likely there’s wasted space that could be put to better use. Does the spare bedroom currently have a big double bed that’s hardly ever used? Swap it for a single (or even better a sofa bed) and add in a desk to create an office space instead. Often all it takes is a little creative thinking and your rooms can double up and offer ‘2 for the price of 1’ value!

• Use ‘unusable’ space

The area under the stairs is a notorious awkward spot. Often used as a dumping ground for shoes and bags. So why not make more of it? Repurposing this otherwise wasted space will not only make the area look more attractive but will provide a productive place to work away from the distraction of windows.

• The ‘cloffice’

Nicknamed the ‘cloffice’ this cupboard hack has taken the DIY world by storm. No room for a big desk? Use your current furniture to create usable desk space instead (built-in furniture is ideal for this). Simply add shelving to the inside of a large cupboard or unused wardrobe to hold a laptop and files, decorate to your taste and you’re good to go.

• Escape outside

With the added perk of being able to step away and close the door on the day (but still with a commute of under a minute!), using areas outside to establish an office is ideal.

The summer house, garage, garden shed, it doesn’t matter, with a little imagination and a few soft furnishings, these can all be repurposed to create a home from home office. Just add a heater to make sure you stay cosy.

Whilst it’s a good idea to decorate your new home office and complete the look, be wary of going overboard. Remember to keep things simple, as you don’t want to make changes that are going to leave you out of pocket. Check out our blog on ‘Home improvements to increase the value of your home’, to find out more on this.

Talk to the experts

If you’re looking to sell your home, why not talk to the experts? Here at GD Legal we are a team of friendly, highly skilled professionals and – whilst we might not be able to help with your home improvements (DIY isn’t really our thing!) – we can assist with everything else!

Covering all manner of conveyancing issues will work with you to ensure a fast, efficient property sale. Talk to the team today on 0161 710 1786 or email info@gdlegal.co.uk.