How to Setup a Home Office Without a Desk
Do you have little space for a desk? Or maybe you’ve heard the idea that you shouldn’t be working in your bed or bedroom so that you don’t interrupt your sleep cycle? Great! It sounds like a great idea, but where should you set up your office so that you don’t have to reconfigure an entire space or purchase a desk? Here are a few solutions on how to setup a home office without a desk that won’t break the bank and keep your work/home balance impact to an absolute minimum.
There are many different things to consider, your spatial limits, your budget, and the amount of time you have to set it all up. Here are a few different options: things that you can do for little to no cost and also setups you can attain for a little more effort.
Your office space is personal to you and your tastes, so it’s whatever makes you feel most comfortable. A conducive work environment can certainly be made out of a laptop desk doubling as a side table when not in use or a little-used shelving cabinet.
Sometimes the best setup is one that disappears at the end of the day by utilizing a corner of your table with a simple format that is easily put together in the morning and taken down after office hours are over. The key here is setting up with things you already have, somewhere you already feel comfortable.
But even if you have very limuted space you still might able to set up your little work place. More tips you also find in our article HOW TO CREATE A HOME OFFICE FOR SMALL SPACES – 7 TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
Transform a shelf into a home office desk
One simple and easy way to transform your space into a home office is to use a shelved cabinet you may not have filled up.
Take the bottom shelves out of the frame (many shelved cabinets have pins and adjustable shelving so that you may replace them eventually if you wish) and use the mid-level shelf as a desk.
Complete the look with a comfortable chair and desk items, and your workspace is good to go! You can even leave the upper shelves as decoration and expression of your personality and taste to make your day just a little brighter.
Use a side table as home office desk
Another way to transition your existing furniture into office supplies is to take a side table you already have and make your couch desk in a living room or sitting room. It is more comfortable than setting up at a coffee table because of the height.
To keep from slouching over and hurting your back, the average desk should sit between 28 and 30 inches tall.
Side tables tend to be around this height and are easily movable for optimum setup, and are easily replaced to their original position if necessary.
Use your couch table as a home office desk
Another option is a slide over couch table. This L-shaped table-top is convenient as it leans over the couch as needed so that you are most comfortable.
Some of these handy tables also have a place for a coffee mug or pens.
A lapdesk home office desk
A lap desk is also an excellent option for easy cleanup and no real change to the existing setup.
There are some beautiful versions available, everything from dark wood to bamboo and colorful plastic options.
Wall mounted tables as office desk
Lastly, if you’re in the market for purchasing a solution, there are some tremendous wall-mounted pull-out desks you can set up as a cabinet when not in use, and then it merely pulls down.
Add a chair, and you’re set with a full desk arrangement.
Use tables you already have
There are also options if you don’t want to change your space at all! The table you already have can serve as one of the best desks you could find.
Tables like banquettes, breakfast nooks, and dining room tables serve as great desks. Designate a corner of your table to be your office space and create a great work environment in that specific corner.
You can place a charging dock for your laptop and phone in a nearby plug to have all of the convenience of a workstation office without having anything permanently out or too committal.
This option is also great for people who want an office they can put away at any time. Stow your laptop, replace any table cover, and work is over for the day or weekend.
Office desk on your kitchen table
If you have a kitchen with a buffet serving shelf, this can also be turned into your workspace.
Get creative with the space you have, and you’ll have an efficient home office in no time at all.
Create storage for your office items
Now that we have options for a desk, there are a few more things to consider. The desk space is essential, but the additional accessories and comfort items are of equal importance.
Filing cabinet
If you need space for your excess papers and printouts but no room for a filing cabinet or not one built into a traditional desk, filing folders are a great way to stay organized and on top of everything you need quick access to.
Portable filing folders are also easy to put away to go along with any of the options above.
Phone stand and charger
Another item to add to your home office setup might be a phone stand for your table.
Having your phone sitting up and easily accessible can streamline the work process and allow you to be hands-free for calls while also seeing incoming texts and emails.
There are many options, some that clip on the side of your desk and some that simply sit table-top, but both are equally useful in your makeshift office.
Where to sit?
If you are opting for the couch setup, an immensely helpful item to purchase is a back cushion so that you are supported. There are even options with arm cushions on the side so that you can sit ergonomically correct while you work.
They come in a variety of colors and fabrics to match your existing décor or even add a pop of color or texture.
Slouching is a big problem even in the typical office environment, so this is an important piece for home use. A study from Health Psychology reported that slouching during the workday can lead to negative thoughts and depression, so this is perhaps one of the most important things to keep in mind when planning your office.
On the same note, an item that can be extremely helpful is a seat cushion on your office chair of choice. While this chair can be anything from a bench to a dining room seat, in any scenario, you might need some extra cushion if you’re sitting there for a long zoom call or lots of paperwork.
In the long run, adding this additional accessory to your setup will make such a difference in your whole office experience.
Make your home office cozy
Finally, a critical aspect is to add in the things that make you happy. Keep a candle you love by your work setup, a fun lighter, maybe some photos, a paperweight, anything that breaks up your day and makes you smile in the middle of your meetings and tasks for the day. This will make it feel personal to you!
Setting up a home office can be a daunting task if you’re low on space, if you want to keep your home tidy when not working, or simply want to keep your work-life balance in check. Luckily, there are many options to achieve a great office set up without needing a full-sized desk or a designated office space. With the help of some creativity, ingenuity, and maybe a little bit of online shopping, you’ll be all set for many productive days to come.
