In the modern world where hybrid and remote working is the new norm, the need for a dedicated space at home for working is ever on the rise. Many professionals prefer keeping their bedroom and home office separate in order to ensure greater functionality and not tamper with spatial orientation and purposes. However, separating the spaces might get difficult in small apartments with compact rooms. So we must ensure that the potential of the home office’s functionality is utilised to the fullest. To do that, we have curated some tips to help you with technological integration to achieve a smart home office in a compact space.
See also: Home office ideas for an aesthetic workspace
Multifunctional furniture
For compact rooms, multifunctional furniture are ideal as they serve several purposes without taking up any extra space. Desks for home offices often come with built-in features like integrated power outlets, USB ports and cable management systems for enhanced functionality. You can also consider shelves with adjustable heights or fold-out desks that can provide extra workspace when needed, staying compact otherwise.
Wireless technology
A simple way to reduce clutter in your home office and maintain a clean appearance is by reducing the need for cables. Incorporate wireless devices such as Wi-Fi enabled printers, wireless keyboards and mouse that use Bluetooth or a USB dongle to connect. This can help free up the desk space significantly and allow more flexibility in positioning.
Smart lighting
Incorporating smart lighting allows you greater control over brightness levels, colour and temperature to create an ambiance conducive to productivity. These smart lighting fixtures can easily be controlled remotely via a smartphone app or voice commands. Alternatively, you can incorporate smart switches for traditional fixtures for greater control over the lighting features.
Wall-mounted monitors
Free up valuable desk space by wall-mounting your monitor, preferably by using an adjustable-arm mount. While doing this, it is necessary to ensure that the mount is compatible with your monitor’s size and weight to avoid accidents. Additionally, you can consider options that allow for tilting or swivelling to achieve optimal viewing angles.
Docking stations
Utilise a docking station to connect multiple peripherals to your laptop using a single cable. This significantly simplifies the process of connecting external monitors, keyboards, mice and other devices to ease the process of switching between work and personal tasks while also minimising the space used.
Cloud storage
Given you have a stable internet connection, cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive allow you to store and access files from any device. This does away with the need for physical storage solutions like filing cabinets or external hard drives, thereby saving space in your office and allowing for a seamless experience.
Voice assistants
Voice assistants are the talk of the town when it comes to smart homes. Gaining more and more popularity day by day, devices like Amazon Echo or Google Nest Hub can be set up to control smart devices, manage calendars, set reminders, and much more, using just voice commands. The hands-free technology can enhance productivity and efficiency of your office by providing a virtual assistant.
Compact all-in-one printers
By combining various functions such as printing, scanning and copying into a single, compact unit, all-in-one printers are ideal for small spaces. Reduce the cable clutter further by opting for models with wireless printing capabilities.
Smart thermostat
Smart thermostats possess the ability to learn your preferences over time and adjust the heating and cooling settings automatically. They can also be controlled remotely via a compatible smartphone app to ensure your home office is always at a comfortable temperature without consuming any extra energy.
Virtual backgrounds
If you wish to maintain a professional appearance during video meetings and conferences, virtual backgrounds can help conceal the background clutter. Most video conferencing apps and websites offer the feature to allow you to choose from a variety of preset backgrounds, or upload your own.
FAQs
What is the benefit of multi-functional furniture in a compact home office?
Multifunctional furniture combines several features into one unit and maximises the space available. Desks with built-in charging stations and adjustable shelves are some examples.
How can wireless technology help declutter my compact home office?
Wireless technology eliminates the need for cables to reduce any visible clutter on the desk, resulting in a cleaner and more organised workspace.
What are the advantages of using smart lighting in a home office?
Smart lighting allows greater control over features such as brightness, colour and temperature to create a productive environment and save energy.
How does a wall-mounted monitor save space in a compact home office?
Wall-mounted monitors elevate the screen off the desk surface to free up valuable space and also provide flexibility in setting the optimal viewing angle.
Why should I consider using a docking station for my laptop?
A docking station allows you to connect multiple peripherals to your laptop with a single cable, making it easier to switch between tasks and reduce cable clutter.
How can cloud storage benefit my compact home office?
Cloud storage services let you store and access files from any device with internet access, reducing the need for physical storage solutions that might take up space in the office.
What are the features to look for in a compact all-in-one printer for a home office?
Consider the wireless options with automatic document feeders and a space-saving design that are compatible with small spaces.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
