How to create a home office on a budget

Define your work office space

First up, you need to define your office space. You may prefer to move around with the laptop, but most people need a set space in the home where they can concentrate and leave office supplies so that nothing is mislaid. Choose your space, whether it’s a landing, hallway, kitchen or spare room and then focus on making it comfortable so that you can work efficiently. Choose carefully — an agreeable space will improve your motivation and productivity. A clean work environment, without any clutter, will improve your concentration. 

Review what you can do yourself

Depending on where and how you are creating your home office, there is a lot that you can do yourself, if you have the time. Extensions, electrical, plumbing and plastering jobs need a professional. But there are things you can do yourself such as painting and decorating, sourcing and buying furniture and repurposing cupboards. 

Create a floor plan for how you can utilise space

It can be tempting just to get stuck in moving furniture around, but by measuring your space and creating a floor plan, you will be able to utilise every inch of space. It will enable you to reflect on the strengths and limitations of the space and find solutions. It will also ensure that your workflow is smooth and that you have everything you need to hand.

✔ Make sure that your desk is located near some natural light, such as under a window. High levels of natural light will boost your mood

✔ Check that you have enough artificial light to work by

✔ Add an instant hot water tap to your kitchen sink so that you save time in your busy day

✔ Make sure the space is functional, with everything in reach

✔ Consider flexibility if needed — i.e. desks which fold away or shelves on wheels

✔ Add floating shelves within recessed wall areas

Think about essentials for your day-to-day routine

When you work in an office away from home, it is easy to take things for granted and then find working from home uncomfortable or awkward. Think about what you will need to work efficiently at home. You will need to be able to concentrate, hear video calls, troubleshoot IT problems, work with a good internet connection, and feel happy and well in yourself. Essential items go beyond a laptop and a chair — if your home is busy, you might need noise-cancelling headphones, and if your home is prone to being drafty and cold, you might need a heater.

Consider used furniture to renovate

If you are on a budget or you like to reuse and recycle, consider these options for your home office furniture:  

●    Look in second-hand shops — call ahead and ask if they have anything at the back of the shop or if they can give you a call when something you need comes in
●    Check out Facebook Marketplace for bargains, as well as for selling items you no longer need
●    Upcycle furniture you already have — paint the furniture in your home office the same colour for a professional look
●    Ask local furniture stores if they have any display items for sale or items with minimal damage that can be easily fixed

FAQ:

How much should I budget for a home office?

The basic cost of getting kitted out with all the essentials for a home workstation would be around £1,000. If you have a separate room in which to create an office, you would include office furniture, so the price tag increases to around £1,700. If you are looking to build an office in your garden or undertake building work in the house, then you would receive quotes for multiple thousands, depending on the building job. 

What do I need to set up a home office?

Our handy checklist ticks off the basics for a home office setup: 

●    Desk
●    Ergonomic, comfortable chair 
●    Computer
●    Monitor/s
●    High-speed internet access
●    Uninterruptible power supply
●    Storage 
●    Paper shredder
●    Good lighting
●    Fire-safe box
●    Network router if for more than one computer
●    Surge protector
●    A printer 
●    Backup drive 

Is adding a home office a good investment?

Yes — research has shown that adding a home office is a good investment — adding a whopping 10% to the value of your property in the current market.