Ideas for Turning a Room Into an At-Home Office

Some of the most surprising stats:

• 14% of adults now work from home all the time, according to Pew Research Center.
• More than 20% of employees will work remotely by 2025, according to Upwork.
• Of employees who can work remotely, 35% do so all the time and 41% do so part-time, according to Pew Research Center.

With so many people deciding to WFH, well-planned home offices are critical. No more working from the couch or at the kitchen table. 

Ideally, you have a spare room you can dedicate to your work, but if not, an attic, basement, or even a large closet can be converted into a perfectly suitable home office. And no matter where your workspace winds up, some of those most important considerations include:

• Space
• Ergonomics
• People
• Lighting
• Internet
• Power

6 Ways to Turn A Room Into An At-Home Office

If you’ve ever wondered, What is an ideal home office set up? We’ve got your answer. Check out our guidance:

1. Use as Much, or as Little, Space as You Have

Here’s how to use those extra spaces more efficiently:

• Your bedroom
• Spare bedroom
• Attic or basement
• Large closet

Your Bedroom

If you’re really pressed for space inside your home, turning a bedroom into an office is a quick solution, especially if you already have quick internet speeds and ample lighting.

Some of our favorite recommendations if you’d like to transform your bedroom into an office:

1. Make room for your workspace. Have a dedicated desk or nook where you can focus and be productive throughout the day. 
2. Keep it neat. YourYou’re bedroom’s pulling double duty now, and a messy room or desk can create unwelcomed distractions throughout the workday. 
3. Clean up at the end of the day. One of the biggest challenges of working inside your bedroom is mental: When you’re trying to sleep near your desk, you might become distracted while trying to fall asleep. Clean up at the end of the day to help you mentally finish up “at work” after each shift. 

While much of this article focuses outside of the bedroom, keep reading for more turning-bedroom-into-an-office ideas.

Spare Bedroom

A spare bedroom is the best location for a home office — it’s out of the way, has a door you can close, should have several outlets, and probably has windows for natural light. It might even have a ceiling fan and a closet for extra storage. 

If you’re using your spare bedroom as a guest bedroom, you don’t have to sacrifice that — your spare room can be a home office most of the time and a guest bedroom as needed. 

Pro Tip: Here’s one of our favorite bedroom-converted-to-an-office ideas: If the room is small, install a Murphy bed and use a floating console desk, rather than a clunky piece of furniture. 

If you need more ideas on how to convert a bedroom into a home office, pay attention to the rest of the tips in this article!

Attic or Basement

If you’re not ready to convert a bedroom to a home office, look elsewhere. An attic or basement can also work, particularly if you need a larger space for more than one person to work from home. 

If your attic or basement has never gotten a remodel makeover, don’t worry. A few quick installations that can make your space feel cozy and productive:

• A lamp for better lighting. 
• A fan for air circulation. 
• A blanket or poster as a makeshift divider (until you can come in to build a real room).

Large Closets

You don’t need a whole spare bedroom or a spacious attic to create a private, dedicated home office space. Many large closets can accommodate slim-profile desks or floating desks, with floating shelves above for storage. When you’re done with work for the day, simply shut the door. 

Check out our guide on how to create a winning home office in a small space to get even more out of your closet office. 

2. Don’t Sacrifice Ergonomics

Don’t ignore ergonomics when working from home. Curling up on the couch with your laptop for eight hours a day could cause damage to your neck, spine, wrists, and other body parts. 

When choosing a space for a home office, make sure you have room for two essential pieces of furniture:

• a properly sized desk. This will vary based on your height and personal preference, but most experts recommend one at least 29 inches tall. 
• a comfortable, adjustable-height office chair, preferably one with casters, adjustable armrests, and an adjustable seat pan tilt. If you splurge on one item in your home office, it should be the chair — you’re going to be spending a lot of time in it, after all. A chair without the proper support could cause pain and repetitive stress injuries.

Of course, sitting all the time isn’t good for you, either. A standing desk is a good option, and they’re available at a range of price points. A desk that easily converts from sitting to standing offers the best of both worlds.

3. Consider Who Will Use Space — And How

Are you the only person who will work from home, or do you have a spouse who also needs a home office? You might choose a desk large enough to accommodate two people, although you’ll need a room with double the space — like an attic or finished basement, or even a garage. 

Consider how much time you’ll spend in your home office, too. Do you work long hours? If so, you’ll want a larger desk and a more comfortable chair.

4. Shed Some Light on the Situation

Indirect light is important in any office setting. Natural light is best, if you have a space that offers it, but you should use curtains or blinds to diffuse it and arrange your desk so that natural light sources don’t cause a glare on your screen. 

Install an overhead light fixture or add lamps that aren’t directly in your line of sight or right behind you to provide any additional light you might need.

5. Adjust Your Internet Speed

If you’re going to work from home, you need to make sure that your internet is fast and reliable. Obviously, there will most likely be an additional cost to increase your internet speed. If that’s the case, it’s worth checking with your employer to see if they will cover the difference or the entirety of the charge. 

And while you might think your current bandwidth can do the job, remember that if you have multiple people working from home and children doing schoolwork, your normal internet speed probably won’t hold up.  

6. Install More Outlets

No matter what space you choose for your new home office, you’re probably going to need more electrical outlets—something that’s especially beneficial when you’re wondering, How do I organize my small office at home?

Take the time now to install the outlets and data cabling infrastructure your new home office needs, so your work hours can pass smoothly and with minimal interruptions. 

Tip: Install a few USB outlets while you’re at it. This will help you charge your devices without taking up room in a traditional outlet or power strip. 

What Is A Good Budget For A Home Office? 

A great home office could be free (if you already have all the supplies you need) or it could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. 

Some of the biggest factors:

• Desk - A second-hand desk could be quite affordable, but a new, high-end desk could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. 
• Chair - Your new office chair might be less than $100, but top-of-the-line ergonomic chairs could cost hundreds. 
• Lighting - You may already have enough lighting in your home, but installing new ceiling lights or buying new lamps could add up. 
• Internet Upgrades - Increasing your internet speed will mean a higher monthly bill. 
• Power Strips and Cable Management - This is a critical one-time investment. 
• Storage Solutions - Don’t forget to think about filing cabinets, folders, and other organization tools!
• Renovations - This could quickly become one of the biggest costs of all, especially if you prefer not to DIY. 

Looking Ahead: Turning a Room Into an At-Home Office

Turning a regular old room into an exciting work-from-home office doesn’t have to be difficult. Your best strategy is to:

• Get creative with your space
• Stick with ergonomic furniture
• Consider who’ll use the space with you
• Consider your internet speed
• Install new lighting
• Install extra outlets

With each of these to-do items covered, you’ll have a WFH office that’ll be the envy of your co-workers every time you turn on your camera during another team meeting. 

A Plan That Covers Your Work-From-Home Space

Working from home definitely has its perks. For one thing, you can’t beat the commute! With a home warranty plan from American Home Shield®, you can protect the home systems and appliances that make it possible for you to work from home. 

Try adding electronics or electrical systems coverage to your warranty plan to protect an unlimited number of eligible electronics, including your laptop, printer, scanner and other devices you might need in your home office.

If you’re already an AHS member, we’re here for you when you need us. If an item covered by your plan breaks down, you can request service in MyAccount 24/7 (login to get started).

Read our FAQs or check out our plans to learn more!

AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein.