How to Build an Office in a Closet

Turning your closet into an office of takes a bit of elbow grease.

Imagine eliminating the long commute, the pushy boss and the prepackaged lunches all in one move. It takes a lot of dedication to make a living working from home, but if you already can, you'll need a space to complete the work. You may find your closet is the perfect size to fit all your office equipment in. However, utilizing the space to efficiently put all your office equipment takes some know-how.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Desk
• Screwdriver
• Filing cabinets
• Lamp
• Paint
• Office equipment

Clear Out Some Space

1. Take out anything in the closet that is already there. Remove typical closet fixtures, such as hanging clothes and boxes, in order to save space and eliminate distractions.

2. Remove shelves, unless they are already placed up high enough to not get in the way of the equipment.

3. Vacuum the small closet to make sure the space is clean before you move in your equipment. You don't want a dirty office before you even start working.

4. Dust in the closet to clean the last few bits of dirt out of the closet.

5. Make sure the closet is completely bare before you begin that next phase of turning it into an office. Make sure that you have a place in your house to store anything that you might have moved out of your closet.

Renovate the Closet

1. Install the lighting. Most closets have sub-par lighting for doing office work. Install wall lamps to brighten up your work area.

2. Install a door or some type of divider from the rest of the house, if there isn't one already. You'll need privacy to work well. Cheap alternatives to doors are as easy as hanging up a thick sheet.

3. Paint the walls a neutral tone that will facilitate a productive work environment. Possible colors include eggshell or flat white.

4. Build any compartments you feel that you will need in your office. Ideas include paper holders, printer and computer cabinets, and new shelves to hold office equipment.

5. Add carpeting, if you want it. Since you'll be in here most of the working day, it is important that you feel as comfortable as possible.

Bring in the Office Equipment

1. Move your office desk into your new office and place it where it can fit. Optimally, set the desk away from the door to minimize distractions from outside.

2. Bring in filing cabinets to hold any papers that you will inevitably make as you work.

3. Bring in your computer and computer equipment and hook it up. Keep the cords out of your way as much as possible so things remain neat.

4. Bring any miscellaneous office equipment, such as staplers or post-it notes. These little tools may come in handy as your workday progresses.

5. Decorate your office with knickknacks that will keep you happy as your workday goes along.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a lot of space in your closet, make sure not to fill it up with distracting elements that may impede your workflow.

• Keep your office closet neat and tidy, as it is small enough that it can get dirty quite quickly.

References

• How to Transform Your Closet into an Office