Admit it: You miss working from the office. While we can do without the fluorescent lights and that A/C that always seems to be set too low, the feeling of walking into your personal cubicle sets the tone for the day. Once the laptop is opened, it’s game on, and you’re ready to knock deadlines and tasks out of the park once again.
And while flexible jobs have been a novel experience for teleworkers (for better and worse), the office mindset has been a hard thing to recreate at home. Leave it to New Yorkers to come up with a small-space hack to solve this dilemma: the cloffice. A hybrid of office and closet, this interior design trend has become a work from home phenomenon — but creating one involves more than setting up a desk and a chair.
Follow along for the tips you need to transform your walk-in wardrobe into a winning work from home workspace.
Work Comfortably in the Perfect Chair
Ah — the office chair. Loathed by some, and yet for others, it was the best seat in the house. Whether you were a fan or not, everyone can agree that a good work chair helps sets the mood for a productive workday, and that’s particularly important when the goal is to create a comfortable work environment out of a closet.
Start by giving yourself some consideration. What kind of frame do you have? Do you need a taller back to accommodate your height? Or maybe, for reasons related to health, durability and comfort are superior. Most importantly, how does your body work within your closet walls?
By identifying these core needs first, you can be certain the following perks make working in a converted office a smoother experience:
- Adjustable seating makes it easier to optimize workflow between you and your desk.
- Swivel chairs keep items within reach with just a simple turn.
- Arm rests are great for extra support, but for some, they’re an obstruction.
- Caster wheels not only increase mobility, but they’re easier on floors, like hardwood.
And don’t forget comfort and material. Leather is spiffy but can also be hot, especially when working in a cozy closet. On the other hand, fabric upholstery is more affordable, but is less durable.
The Right Desk Sets You up for Success
Unfortunately, you probably won’t be reveling a cubicle-size desk in a cloffice, but home office desks are a smart (and often affordable) alternative. The key here is learning how to hack the space available.
Working with a smaller closet? Consider a desk with multiple shelves, drawers, and a pull-out keyboard tray, preferably with a straight profile. This will add function to the limited space and will also help keep the area neat and organized. If you have the luxury of working in a larger closet, you also have the option of a storage desk or a simpler desk coupled with separate storage cabinets and drawers.
Many desks now come with USB ports and power outlets, making it easier to manage cables and wires, while lift-top desks provide a flexible work environment that works especially well in small closets.
Shelves Maximize Space Efficiency
Closets are all about the vertical space. Learn how to navigate its dimensions and you can increase the function of a cloffice dramatically. In other words, build up — not out.
How? There are several great options, but the most obvious is wall shelves. With little installation (often just screws and wall anchors), even a few floating shelves can turn closet walls into wall storage for files, literature, electronic devices, and décor. Pair with storage baskets, file bins, and cubbies for instant organization that doesn’t take up floorspace.
✓ Think outside the box – For more usable desk space, mount your monitor(s) on the wall!
Take advantage of the space available on the door, too! A handy tip is to add a pantry spice rack over the door to keep office essentials like batteries, note pads, headphones, and a writing journal in a dedicated space off the desk. Or use an over-the-door pocket organizer with multiple inserts to keep your week fully planned and systemized.
Let Your Identity Shine: Office Décor
Experts say, now more than ever, it's important to show your creativity at work, which is just another reason to give your office in a closet some of your pizzazz. This DIY portion is where you get to spruce up the space to your liking, but we also suggest décor tips when designing a cloffice:
- Take a minimalist approach: While it’s tempting to decorate with all your favorite décor items, staging too much in a small space can lead to a cluttered feel, which can be distracting and bad for work efficiency.
- Be careful with color: When decorating in a small space, color can either make the area feel bigger or cramped. Generally, lighter colors help create a larger feel, but pops of dark colors help ground the area together.
- Turn to a classic: Wallpaper is making a comeback. Skip the paint and create an accent wall with a wallpaper theme of your choice.
- Use décor to your advantage: For a cleaner presentation, use décor, such as decoration boxes, jars, or planters to hide wires and plugs.
✓ Feed your creativity – If you have the space and an outlet, consider installing a mini fridge in your cloffice. This reduces trips to the kitchen, which can help promote productivity.
Shop for the Home & Office
If you’re ready to embrace remote work, there’s no better way to do so than with home and office furnishings that celebrate the spirit of work. We’re stocked with the latest styles, along with classic looks and accent pieces to truly make your at-home workspace a reflection of you. Shop in-store or online today!