Having a home office can be the ideal solution to separate work from the rest of our daily lives. Yet, it can seem like a pipe dream if your property is on the small side. Fortunately, you don't need a mansion to give yourself the perfect workspace.
 
Have a Layout
​
Before you start making any changes, however, you have to plan out what type of home office your space can accommodate. With that in mind, ask yourself what your work will involve and what you need to fulfill your goals. For instance, you might only need a computer and desk, but you may require more than that if you expect to meet clients in your home. To get the most out of your space, measure the dimensions of where you want to set up your office and make a layout for it. If you want, you could sketch out your design to help you visualize your options. The right plan can be the foundation of your office, so invest in it.
 
Budget for Everything
 
Once you have a plan, you can budget around it and make adjustments where necessary. Thankfully, making an effective budget can be as basic as tracking your monthly earnings and expenses and recording them over the long-term. Your budget must factor in the big and small investments your office will need, such as supplies, furniture, a quality internet connection, and even potentially increased energy bills. Still, you don't have to buy new items to furnish your office, so shop around and look for deals. In the end, you may find that the perfect computer or desk for you are pre-loved items that your office just as well as premium options (you can often find pre-owned laptops for as low as $329 on sites like Amazon).
 
Consider Help
 
An important step to designing your home office is developing the space you have. That could involve decluttering and reorganizing your environment to reclaim unused real estate. Of course, if there is a lot of clutter, dealing with it can become overwhelming and take your mind off your goals. Fortunately, you can bring in some professional help, as a home organizing consultant in Atlanta usually ranges from $220 to $671. They can support your efforts to declutter and tidy up, and their experience can give you insights to use in the future.
 
Adapt Your Storage
 
A tight space will need creative solutions for storage. In fact, storage can be used as attractive décor or even integrated into furniture. This could, for example, allow you to spread the burden across your home by using bed or coffee table storage for extra office supplies. Likewise, you could go vertical by putting in a hidden door bookshelf for added storage while giving your office a decorative flair. Your filing system needn’t rely on traditional cabinets, either, as they could be turned into an attractive ottoman or vertical wall rack. Your strategy can be as creative as you want, allowing you to take advantage of the smallest of spaces.
 
Improvise, Improvise
 
Regardless of your home's size, you can put together a functional office. It may simply be a space in a corner, but the right fixtures and furniture can ensure it serves its purpose. After all, the basis of any successful office is a desk, and they come in all shapes and sizes. For instance, if you cannot fit a traditional model into your home, you could put in a hanging desk custom-designed to your dimensions. If your space is even tighter, you might transform a small nook, such as a closet, into an alcove workspace. Similarly, lighting doesn't have to take up valuable space, as track and recessed lighting can offer useful illumination. This can alleviate the pressure of needing large lamps for your place of work.
 
A home office can restore balance to your house, and give you peace of mind. With plenty of preparation, a well-planned budget, and creative storage, you can have a place perfect for productivity. Your office no longer needs to be held back because of limited space.

Author credit:
Alice Robertson
http://tidyhome.info/
alice@tidyhome.info

Browsing online DIY galleries can be a good way to determine which home renovations you’re interested in and looking up step-by-step instructions can be a great strategy. However, having the skills and patience to complete these seemingly simple renovations yourself is a completely different story. In order to determine if you’re capable of completing renovations, it’s best to consult a professional for a quote before you dive in. Even if you end up opting for DIY, you’ll at least have peace of mind going into the project, knowing that it’s realistic for you to complete it. With that said, there will be renovations that will go much more smoothly and result in higher quality completion when done by a professional home remodeler. Here are five common projects that often offer the dilemma of choosing between DIY and going with a pro.
 
Painting the Exterior
Painting a bedroom on your weekend off is one thing but painting your home’s exterior yourself is a very time-consuming project. When painting interior walls, you often don’t need to scrape or sand surfaces first. However, with exterior surfaces, you will nearly always need to scrape the old paint and sand before you repaint. The whole project could take one person several weeks to complete. On the other hand, a professional painting crew can have the job done in just a few days.
 
Installing Countertops
Updating countertops can really add value to your home. Although installing them may seem straightforward, this is one of those renovations that is best left to the pros. Renovation professionals know how to take highly precise measurements, and they have expensive specialty tools for this exact situation. If you decide to make this project DIY, you risk having visible seams that may bother you until you end up calling a pro anyway. Furthermore, any damage to materials beneath the countertop may not be covered by your home warranty. You’ll want to make sure that all of your appliances are protected during the renovation.
 
Demolishing a Wall
Demolishing a wall is one of those projects that can seem simple at first glance. In reality, it can be complicated and costly. Most people probably imagine picking up a sledgehammer and going at it. The reality is that there may be plumbing, gas, or electrical lines running through the wall. Then, if you live in a house with more than one story, you’ll need a professional to determine whether or not the wall is load-bearing. If so, there will need to be changes to the architectural design, and that rules out DIY.
 
However, if you’re knocking down a wall that doesn’t have utility lines running through it and you live in a one-story home, you could probably take on the project yourself. It’s still a good idea to consult a professional for advice first.
 
Installing Kitchen Cabinets
If you’re going with pre-made cabinets, learning to install them could probably be learned from an online how-to guide. However, installing pre-made cabinets yourself in a complex kitchen layout can risk improper installation and end up costing you more in the long run by having to hire a professional to uninstall and reinstall them. Make sure you understand how much work you’re facing before you get started!
 
Author Credit: Paige Mitchell