With the overwhelmingly busy business lives for Britons, a proper work setup is pretty much a non-negotiable requirement today. Not just the workplace, your home also needs a compact workstation for the times you wish to escape the 9-5 grind. The good news? A small office home office doesn’t have to be huge to be productive.
Even a tiny corner in your bedroom, living room, or basement can work as long as it meets your needs. The secret lies in making the most out of every inch available. Fortunately, Jackery has small electric generators that keep your workspace clutter-free yet functional, no matter where you set it up!
Assess Your Space and Needs
While some people can work for hours from their couch or bed, 28% of workers have dedicated home offices to mentally get them into work mode.[1] Plus, a well-designed space does wonders in boosting your productivity. However, before you begin setting up your small office home office, take a step back to know what you really need.
1. Identify the Work Area
When it comes to a compact workstation, less is more. A small, well-organized place will do just fine. The first step begins with looking around the home to find a spot that’ll bring productivity, whether it’s a quiet bedroom corner, a section of the living room, or even a multifunctional zone.
Even if your home doesn’t have much space, you can go for a cloffice (closet-turned-office)[2] or even a foldable desk setup. Just pick a spot that supports long attention spans to maximize productivity.
2. Consider Functional Needs
While you’re evaluating your space, think about what you’ll actually need to finish off the job. The essential functions of your job will guide your small office home office setup in incredible ways. For instance, would a laptop and chair suffice, or do you need space for a monitor, printer, or extra storage?
Ideally, jot down your essentials to ensure your workstation at home looks as good as the office itself. Even if it’s something as small as lighting, noting it down will ensure you get everything done beforehand.
3. Prioritize Comfort and Efficiency
Having a small space for an office doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice comfort. It’s always worth investing in a high-quality table, chair, and, of course, lighting to reduce eye strain. Although it’s best to position your work setup in a space that gets natural light, getting a bright lamp pretty much serves the same purpose.
Better yet, investing in storage solutions goes a long way. Before your SOHO office is fully functional, get wall shelves or organizers to prevent cluttering. This keeps your productivity hitting the peaks, even with limited room for work!
Choose the Right Compact Office Furniture
When working with limited space, you’ll need to choose your furniture accordingly. Take your time to pick out pieces that blend in with your small office home office without making it feel cramped. Here are a bunch of tricks that might help you choose the right furniture:
1. Multifunctional Furniture
Since every inch counts, it’s best to opt for furniture that serves more than one purpose. You know, a foldable desk can be folded when not in use, while a desk with built-in storage will cancel out the need for additional shelves.
Similarly, modular furniture is an excellent option for small home offices, letting you expand your setup when needed. With pre-fabricated modules, modular pieces can do plenty to declutter your tiny at-home workstation.
2. Space Optimization
There are multiple ways to optimize space creatively when creating a small office home office. If you’ve got a limited space, go vertical. For example, opt for wall shelves for books and supplies instead of bulky cabinets. You can also install overhead units or pegboards to make your vertical space more efficient. This keeps your desk clear, keeping the anxiety of clutter at bay.
3. Compact Yet Ergonomic Chairs
Goes without saying that your seating makes a huge difference in the quality of your work. In a small space, your chair needs to be compact yet comfortable.
Take your time to look for ergonomic chairs that provide decent back support without taking up too much space. These chairs let you sit for long hours during work comfortably. Ones that are tucked under the desk when not in use might be a great alternative.
Efficiently Manage Power and Devices
Although a well-organized small office home office is outwardly about managing space, it’s just as much about keeping your devices powered up and cables in control. You absolutely don’t want a mess of wires or power disruptions interfering with your work. So don’t forget to invest in the right power solutions to complete your workstation.
1. Portable Power Solutions or UPS
Imagine finally picking a comfortable spot for your work setup, only to realize it doesn’t have adequate power outlets to support your devices. That’s a bummer, right? However, portable power stations from brands like Jackery can fill in, letting you power your devices and keep them charged for as long as you work. Another great option is an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), which can provide backup power in case of outages, ensuring your devices stay running during unexpected interruptions.
One such model from Jackery is the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station, which has a 1070Wh capacity and 1500W output. Since it’s 50% more efficient than the previous models, you can keep your laptops, phones, lights, and other devices charged without relying on fixed power outlets. No matter where you choose to work, Jackery ensures your devices never hamper your productivity.
2. Wire Management
Even if you’ve got a couple of power outlets nearby, managing power around your small workstation can be challenging. To manage power effectively, you’ll need to plan out your desk’s placement or use an extension cord with built-in USB ports. Cable organizers can also keep unwanted cords out of sight. One of the best ways to manage power is to go wireless when possible.
3. Charging & Battery Management
Even with a portable power solution in place, effective battery management and charging habits are equally crucial. Ensure that devices are disconnected from power when not in use to avoid overcharging or excessive discharge. This not only helps prolong the lifespan of your devices but also ensures that you don’t face power disruptions mid-work.
Additionally, prioritize charging the devices that need it most and try to avoid using multiple devices that consume high amounts of power simultaneously. By implementing efficient battery management, you can reduce power waste and ensure your devices stay charged while maintaining productivity without the constant worry of running low on power.
Optimize Lighting and Ventilation
While most people tend to ignore it, a comfortable small office home office should receive just the right amount of light and air. Unarguably, poor lighting (especially for long work hours) can strain your eyes, while stuffy air can interfere with your productivity levels. So, we’ve put together ways to optimize lighting and ventilation for a refreshing work environment:
1. Combine Natural and Artificial Lighting
Natural light flooding into a small office home office is by far the best option for a well-lit space. This means that whenever possible, set up your workspace near a window. Sunlight during work hours will help reduce eye strain and stir up your vitamin D production.
However, if relying on natural light isn’t viable, artificial lighting can serve as a good alternative, especially if you work at night. For example, an adjustable table lamp or a warm-toned overhead light will work wonders for your small workspace at home.
2. Portable Lighting Solutions
If you’ve got limited space to work with, go for adjustable lighting solutions to avoid cluttering up your desk. Ideally, consider adjustable LED desk lamps that provide different brightness levels on demand. Wall-mounted lights are yet another fantastic option for saving space. Best of all, battery-powered lamps will allow you the freedom to move your light around as needed.
3. Air Circulation and Comfort
In small spaces, suffocation is pretty common, mainly because the air can feel stale quickly. Naturally, this takes a toll on your concentration and hampers your productivity. While setting up your small office home office near a window is the key, it’s not always feasible to do so.
In such cases, it’s worth investing in accessories like a small fan, an air purifier, or even a clip-on fan to keep your space fresh to breathe in. This ensures you stay comfortable for as long as you’re working without taking a toll on your efficiency.
Organization and Storage of Devices and Accessories
Your small office home office also requires enough space to store your devices and accessories. This might be challenging, especially when considering a tiny work setup. However, with a few measures and portable power solutions from Jackery, it’s possible to get through the challenge:
1. Wireless Devices
Believe it or not, cables can quickly turn a clean desk into a cluttered space. Switching to wireless devices, such as keyboards, mice, and other peripherals, is a fantastic way to declutter your desk and enjoy more room to work. This is especially beneficial when you’re working with multiple screens at a time, letting you move things around without being restricted by cords.
2. Smart Devices
If you have set up a small garden office or somewhere where there’s limited access to power, smart devices are the way to go.
A golden rule of thumb is to integrate smart plugs into your work setup, which lets you automate your devices and their power control. Similarly, smart lighting and other accessories, like speakers, can upgrade your workspace in a modern way. This allows you to reach your maximum potential, and that’s the goal, right?
3. Jackery’s Portability
If you switch up your work environment very often, Jackery’s portable power stations and small electric generators can be lifesaving. With these handy generators at your disposal, you don’t have to worry about finding spaces with multiple electric outlets. This, in turn, gives you the freedom to pick your favourite space to work in, allowing you to stay connected all day long.
Create a Productive Work Atmosphere
Productivity is a major concern among workers, but the good news is that your workspace controls it to a significant extent. For a workstation that feels productive, you need to balance the operations with personal touches and keep distractions at bay. Here’s how to boost the efficiency of your small office home office:
1. Personalize Your Space
Unlike your company’s office, your workspace at home is entirely yours. So, you’re free to tweak it in ways that best serve you. For instance, add a small plant, a couple of photos, or even artwork to make your workstation more motivating and inviting. However, make sure not to crowd your desk with unwanted stuff!
2. Minimize Distractions
In small spaces, it’s quick for things to pile up and mess up your desk. So, it’s important to keep your workspace tidy and distraction-free to maintain focus and productivity. You could use storage boxes or organizers, get wall-mounted shelves, or keep unnecessary things out of sight.
Conclusion
When setting up a small office home office, the secret to the ultimate setup lies in minimalism. The good news? Setting up your very own workstation doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg or be a complex project that you’ll need weeks to work on. With smart planning, the right furniture, and efficient tools, you can be just as productive at home as at the office.
Another secret to making your small office home office hassle-free is to ensure you’ve got reliable power access at hand. With Jackery’s portable solar generators, it’s easy to keep your devices working all along without stressing over power outlets!
