Turning the box room into an office

ben_m_g

Hi all,

I'm looking at a position where I spent two days a week working from home, unfortunately this comes with a set of it's own challenges.

I was thinking about using the (spare) boxroom, a small but light room that is also being used as a dressing room.


I know there are a few people here that work from home, and I don't doubt they have probably been through the same, and might have a few tips.


The challenges as I see it are:

Internet (wifi)
The connection isn't brilliant and the router is downstairs. I imagine I would need / be useful to look at some sort of range extender(?)

Space to work / space for a full size desk
There is a single bed, wardrobe and chest of drawers already in the room. I have seen over the bed desks that are really for teens but I doubt they will be that that useful for 8 hours a day(?) Maybe a slim-line type one?

Filing / storage
Very important, very space consuming, no idea how to get around this one as the amount of paperwork will be substantial. A printer-scanner could reduce the amount of hard copies but the desktop ones seems to be more occasional use, and the two separate would take up masses of space.


I would like to do this properly and have a nice work area to be in. I have heard all sorts of tricks people use (getting dressed going outside the front door then back in again before work).

it would be good to hear some from the community.

ben_m_g

(And if it wasn't clear the room needs to work as a dressing room still.)

getmore4less

What are the dimensions of the room and position of doors window radiator and existing furniture

Get rid of the bed would seem to be the first step

The trick will be to utilise the high spaces next to the ceiling, a shelf that can take files along one wall.


Wifi go for decent quality Powerline adaptor and you can be wired into the room some come with builtin switch for multiple appliances and some have wifi as well.

http://www.hotukdeals.com/search?action=search&keywords=powerline


If you need to keep a bed then a fold down bed/desk combo is probably available.

Edit:
Just googled loads of options at various price points.

ben_m_g

The room is a box room, so not big at all I would guess around 6.5 feet square. (just enough for a single bed to fit in either way).

The window and radiator is smack back in the middle of the opposite wall, the door is on the right

┌-w -┐
l l Sorry for the cr+p representation
└---D┘

A fold down bed would take up all the wall space on the left or right, loosing any wardrobe space, there would be space in the bottom left but that would mean removing any space for a chest of drawers.

A fold down desk would be an option (didn't know these existed!) if I could find a cheap one.

ben_m_g

A sofa bed is an option, but takes almost the same amount of room up as a bed. I havn't tried those chair-bed ones but they look very uncomfortable to sit and sleep on.

I had though about an air mattress, but I actually found take up a lot of room themselves even when deflated.

melanzana

Who has a Dressing Room unless you're George .Clooneys new Missus!

It's either a dressing room or an office mate! Make space for clothes somewhere else. De cluttering is great for this!

Look at. IKEA Office ideas.

An inflatable bed is the best option. I have a luxury one for the box room/ironing/airing room. It folds down to a size much smaller than a fold up bed I can tell ya!

Clear out the box room of everything for a day. Then fit in your office. Then put back what will fit. If it doesn't fit, you have to put it elsewhere or get rid.

Honestly, be ruthless. The office will be well used by you, and should be clean and comfortable and do it's job well. It can't do that if it's competing with a walk in wardrobe!

Best of luck. I hope it works out well for you.

BTW my workspace is on my kitchen table. Only me here. Tower and printer under the table. Monitor and keyboard on the table. iPad synched. I don't have to store much paper.

I live alone, so I don't care. And I'm lucky enough to have a dining/sitting room for when guests.arrive.

I know that's not practical for everyone.

I'll be interested to see how you get on.

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi

I worked from home for a year doing about 25-30 hours a week and now work about a day a week at home.

Having a proper work space is essential. Its hard to motivate yourself and feel like you are "at work" unless you have a proper desk, storage and everything you need around you. If there is any way of doing it I would convert the room to a proper office.

You need to be able to shut the door on work when you are finished for the day and having a dedicated work space helps with this too.

I found that making myself do set hours worked for me. There is temptation to stop for a brew then get distracted by other things but you do get better at managing your time after a while.

Storage is always an issue for us. OH and I both do voluntary work too which generates paperwork. Shelves for lever arch files where everything is clearly marked works well. I try not to keep paperwork I dont need at home and older files get archived at head office.

There are pros and cons of working at home and it can depend on what sort of person you are. I enjoy the peace and quiet and can get loads done at home, and I love rolling out of bed and into the spare room on a morning without the commute into the office.

It can be a bit lonely though. Oh and for some reason my family never seem to appreciate that I am still doing proper work and think I can break off to do things for them if they are around!

Good luck with the job.

melanzana

I should add, that I'm not working from home. I Just took early retirement, and am doing research on topics I'm interested in now and then.

Now and then seems to be getting more and more though!

trailingspouse

When I first started working from home, I used the box room - put the cheapest length of kitchen worktop I could find along the full length of one wall, a two-drawer filing cabinet underneath, proper office chair (very important if you're going to be sitting for any length of time), lots of Ikea drawers and a shelf for files. I had a printer/scanner combo, desk top computer, and it only took up half the room.

I agree - get dressed in your bedroom!!