Home office ideas for studio apartment dwellers

If there’s one thing that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught the world over the last two years, it’s that people can do most jobs from home.

Apart from roles such as frontline healthcare, emergency services, cleaning, and some other occupations, companies quickly realized that their staff could perform most tasks from home with equal, if not more, efficiency than in the office.

And working from home can be the preferred choice for most people. Think about it – no commute, your own music playing all day, and minimal interruptions from chatty colleagues. It’s a dream come true for a certain kind of person.

But what if you live in a studio apartment? Setting up a home office may seem impossible in such a small space. Yet, it’s entirely possible with creativity and a few intelligent hacks. We’ll explain how in this helpful article, so read on to learn how.

Get a Cheap, Small Printer

There’s no need for a colossal printer/copier when working from home in a studio apartment. A range of cheap printers on the market does an excellent job for a fraction of the cost.

For instance, the HP Envy range of printers is a premium product that offers peak performance while being compact and affordable.

A small printer is a perfect choice for a studio apartment, where space is at a premium. A good tip is to invest in a small side table or bench on which you can set the printer.

This can easily get tucked away in a corner without occupying too much space and making your apartment seem cramped. 

Used Potted Plants to Your Advantage

Did you know there are proven benefits to owning house plants? Improved air quality is one, as plants create oxygen via photosynthesis. Yet there are other benefits to mind and body to owning plants, including a sense of achievement by caring for them and watching them grow and thrive.

In addition to these benefits, plants also boost productivity. There is a reason why so many office spaces invest in plants, with some firms even hiring people to come and water and care for them.

You can create this effect in your studio apartment by getting a few potted plants to put around the place. Easy to grow and maintain house plants include Spider Plants, Peace Lilies, Philodendrons, and Pothos. 

Separate Your Space

One trick that many people who work from home utilize is to create a sense of separation between their home office and the rest of their home. This is trickier to achieve in a studio apartment, but it is not impossible. 

For instance, you could invest in something to separate the home office space from the rest of the studio. This could be a cube shelving unit that doubles as a bookshelf or other storage, a room divider, or another piece of furniture that separates your office space from your bed, kitchenette, or other spaces.

There are other things you can do to separate work from home life as well. You can pack away your laptop, keyboard, and mouse at the end of each day and tuck them away in a drawer, so they aren’t out and tempting you to check emails late at night or read that report when you should be enjoying some hard-earned relaxation time. Other people jump in the shower after the workday, to wash away the stress and tension. 

Wall Mount Your Monitor

Working from home in a studio apartment means you’ll probably opt for a small desk, as there just isn’t enough room to have a large desk. 

To save some precious desk space, you could mount your monitor on the wall at a suitable height to ensure ergonomic safety for your neck, back, and eyes. 

You can install the bracket yourself if you own your apartment, it’s a quick and easy job. Although, if you aren’t overly handy, you could find a handyperson to do this for you.

You can request permission to mount the monitor via your property manager or landlord if you rent your apartment. It’s a reasonable request, so hopefully, they agree.

Invest in an Ergonomic Chair

If you’re working at home, you might be tempted to use one of your dining room chairs to sit at your desk and work. However, these types of chairs are not designed for extended periods of sitting, and wind up a bit stiff and sore at best or injure yourself at the worst.

Instead, invest in a proper, ergonomic office chair. You could even request one from your company – they might have a stock of these ready and waiting for their remote staff.

It’s a reasonable request, and in some countries, employers are meant to provide safe and ergonomic equipment for their staff. If not, you can claim the purchase at tax time and hopefully get some money back or reduce your taxable income which is a bonus.

Cosy Home Office Conclusions

We’ve covered five home office ideas for studio apartment dwellers in this handy blog. These hacks should ensure that your small space is well set up for work while also ensuring that your home remains a place of comfort and relaxation.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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