In our modern workforce, more and more people are taking work-from-home positions. It’s attractive to stay in the comfort of your own home. It also saves you time and money because you don’t have to fight the daily commute. Even if you don’t have a work-from-home job, having a home office is helpful for paying bills and everyday needs. Just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean you can’t have a home-office. Use a little creativity, and put together your home office in your apartment with these tips.

1. What Are Your Needs for the Office: Each job requires something different of us. Our space needs to accommodate the task so we can be as productive as possible. If your work is mainly done with the computer, then having a small desk, a comfy chair, and a few slots for keeping papers should be sufficient. Fortunately, most of the jobs nowadays are all able to be done online, which cuts back on the need for extra space for papers and books. You can conference in calls and join online chats to collaborate on projects.
2. Find an Underused Space in Your Apartment: Everyone has that little area that could be better used. Even if you think you’ve maxed out your apartment space, there’s probably a space that has a purpose, but it isn’t used as often as you thought you would. Maybe you have extra furniture laying around taking up space. That is the perfect spot for a little desk and office area. Either put the things that are there now in storage, find a new place for them in the apartment, or get rid of them by selling or donating them. Now that you have cleared out some space, you need to think about how you are going to use this space.
3. Get a small desk: You want to be conscious of how much space you have to work with. Before you go to the store, measure out exactly how much space you have to work with. You want to consider having space for your office chair too. Generally, you want to have around 25 inches behind the desk to comfortably get in and out of the chair. If you’re in a tight spot, a swivel chair is a good option to allow you to get in and out easier.
   • If your space allows for a standard-sized desk to fit, then that’s great! But, if not, there are other creative work-arounds. You can find a larger floating shelf that has a good depth size, and attach it to the wall lower. This is excellent for saving floor space, so you don’t have to worry about bumping into the legs of the desk.
   • You can also make your own desk. Use a thin piece of wood, cut it down to the desired size, and mount it to the wall. You can stain or paint it to match the room.
4. Get organized: One of the most important features of the desk is how it’s organized. You want to keep this space clutter free to allow your mind to flow. Make simple and out-of-the-way paper folders to keep a few hard copies of important documents. You can have a standing file folder on top of the desk, or a small file cabinet on the floor underneath the desk for safe keeping. Keep a few pens, tape, stapler, scissors, and other office supplies nearby in a cubby organizer. If you’re going to have phone calls to field, make sure that the space is quiet. Likewise, keep the rest of the room presentable for webinar conferences.

Regardless of what you are using your office for, keeping the space tidy and organized will give you a productive workspace. Don’t forget to get a comfortable chair and keep moving throughout the day. Sitting can take a toll on your back, and having the right office tools can be helpful to keep back pain away. Last, just add a touch of color and some photos to personalize your at-home workspace in no time.