Residential real estate is one of those 24/7 careers, so being able to 'get the job done' at any time and place is critical to my clients' success. That's why I have three work areas - my office cubicle, my car, and my home office.
Each space is set up with the necessary forms, documents and templates needed, but my home office is where I do most of my work. It took me awhile to carve out the right spot for an office. Eeking out a home office can be a challenge, especially in a small house like mine.
Once my youngest was old enough to move into her sister's bedroom, I converted the nursery (previously an attic space) into my office. I painted it a neutral off-white, added wainscoting for character, laid down carpet tiles, installed some shelving and tucked in a desk given to me by a client. It's the perfect cosy spot to work.
With the foundation in place (desk and shelving), I added a computer, two printers - one with scan/fax capabilities, and a postage meter. I stocked up on heavy weight and copier paper, three sizes of envelopes, note cards and binders for all my forms and templates. Every year I take everything out, dust off what works and say good-bye to that which doesn't! It's a good process and helps me start fresh for the new year!
Have you been thinking about creating a home office? Whether it's to catch up on bill paying, write the next great novel, or summit the corporate ladder, having an organized work space at home is a wonderful tool and adds value to your home!
Some things to keep in mind when creating an office at home:
TINY IS A-OK
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81LAwK4MjcgNDmYdfJrH8Ui4CLL3manlHwjORcTm8OwP_IHa0iMmCH8KY3fvxyUDMBS69qcPGiGrOs7PibCqGI2hdu0PPdqBwvecsCxaPGmhBckYU4pyVW8u2-x9grDiseSbvrvjgzo4/s320/51c9be64101ef2e2bf602fb40d4fd0c3.jpg) |
You don't need much square footage.
Any unused nook works well. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharB8CHE3esy5X0tjrCeddeU-LHgTCDnVyk-R5KnRFuc0jcJUw2finHafMpLRw4-u9ZD_WE6axfi8gsqT3Gs3OOgfHwbKiDcv0XNnfANAgKNVsialL3197hOAir93oPLzkW0Pw-y3SLis/s400/9117a5c8c1c95bc19e079583d7516a2f.jpg) |
Convert an under utilized closet or that 'Harry Potter'
space under the stairs into a functioning office. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKMI54PRnDU4k-yX8iLzqpy2N3_iSk0zNYDqh-kI9zvQNJ2OeXZ72XJ9zZADl-GDbkNIZ95ww9OmVgIi93G6xoIOUKNe7LjjvlbzOuQVBHR_q7Mphc99xZ5UpFUyl1mc0bs84N_Kp-4A/s320/a6c9bde71b768db2364a0a24c8d711f3.jpg) |
Think about taking over a corner (or an entire room) in your home.
A lot of people use their dining room - just remember to style it pretty
as you (and everyone else) will see it every time you walk by. |
LIGHT IS KEY
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30-2N1sRO2Gnvro6pxcSFVzb7AOa3Sy8ZrpVlfrl4bPj5i_mwg6WcCK72CdC1JGH2BraoEjKlyQr15Db_7VicP7DNbQdrt-ajDTypK8tiS98tKHhSnWuykY3IBFDJDSsnacckanfROAo/s400/53ea7e182e11b%2524%2521600x.jpg) |
Add a punch of color with your desk lamp. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07AWQaSk1HoZFzyqZ3ALqibACdeGVYk6elTllDOWAloszNRtKzIOcRbO74XBiUIc-g6cwquPXb-WJ6end6oWYo8xv6_MU89X6x63GXM1dgiOgTdsI8lgVkRTrnVTLyLcMKyLiWXq5GuE/s400/5b5867f0c0ce330e73f8b8e3fb44e594.jpg) |
If desk space is at a minimum consider wall sconces.
These just plug into a wall outlet - no electrician needed! |
ADD A RUG
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqEBUJiajaMp62yp0MrBP57H4Jp1734ks5dpNv7QSf0ZWaNOq-17K0HXZ6PsXs8Rn_QHL-mmiDMUM-FHo_5HzWvgXOxrs3PHhAY3qFIX-WNbfBbwXpRgXCvtDJR8wfuIaJvZe4TF6ufc/s400/87c57bfb952a55b3412a14e2f7673cc5.jpg) |
Use a rug to define the space, and add warmth and style.
Think of a rug like a tray - it grounds the collection above. |
TAKE A SEAT
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwj_OlQzbTPdh3jMDZ4OeKd9rs0A3goEdoLOI32r7CiwmvPie-zMW-lZVZsVEI48cGsIGAejvgjpIlOW6jcYAllnflmmsZFj5BL9J0YlMy0Z43JcIqxfXnOgOtUOURPMB-fZvEXidB64/s400/708c09387dcf3f240d76927e977b6b32.jpg) |
Round out the room with a thoughtfully curated and oh-so comfortable chair. |
GO PRETTY
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpRUp9hlutqjUVWuAGVJAbpS041ONg1x0AVlz8LZKUBrSeo2OKgtxeSQ0ZKkcB48jHa9ksPb67YK3ZAxtFlYaZOeIGX-Uc_RcqlZ5OEo2clZC0v8WzqU3O5vyNMtnXZVx7SKrd7ZwpBk/s320/9fa0619cdcdb1d13c7f59e0e7ab7188d.jpg) |
Use vintage items or things you collect to corral everyday tools like pens/pencils. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHS38pa3py2U7AyLMKopjsOYtdZmnkg8hXeScdyJyovPt6zr5B5VlJ7qb8SvDt-by5giSYbf-FvpYB_7fpATvgJjqkQhwZt_PTceD-j4ZfPthhBI7730mltmk2oSJkLRu_LR6RAwCyK10/s400/4be5274443a6907b33b250fdb2034561.jpg) |
And never underestimate the power of a small tray on the desktop! |
GET VERTICAL
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgT7QcjbDenB8S5ioEgBmGqd-OtP8to8QibvCxuKygEC8_eYqKvb_ofFRIZXRRIYMxGu1KhGJQXusT9gOKrJGCQAYmby2ikWrUtagDBTp_z3GymFyXnyNdGzyMa8YAlRVX1IU2ZiFHA0/s400/9317fb0b5f01ae0107bdfab5717f7aa8.jpg) |
Small space means small desks. If you have limited
space to dedicate to a home office try going up. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OsW1H9rNTz8qruIwdHe0fpr5YCD-aTPVkg6TKC5GAcdwL9i-1v5nR2oAUyYyE_X6D_3rLWQC77Pk5PD2hAuOF8rLEivkRGZzys18O4lGGcNtSieuurqPMYxMtjZqw5u-XVb0OkCPWm4/s400/4a183b863b4b4bffea8cfd606c81c767.jpg) |
Maximize your desktop space by going vertical
- try stacked trays, a hanging shelf, or a mini ladder. |
ADD ART
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_4aUyek7HDgqL-W6tvXDqF1UE7IRzy9U6-SLWTHA4pAAGHOkG6Cnk7MmkS7W4p6ilEKBuMd3-Rwrvk6nIjN3w2OGByrqHPX7PYq2BF4kjBVZaPQ0RvDxFYOARCqwW9S4g-PKrG60gkY/s400/smphometours_300%2524%2521600x.jpg) |
Bring personal expression to your space by adding art. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGSwTpkya2-KhG_MQufu76jyTwJ050mSmMFXelBAVu7WlF_OSSe85HrN5MNouwahb4tbIEuQXVwZ5jVzAINiB0H0dM5EQ8lwfTg69efqorO9UsbQi5i8IWsG4eVbxLiBBRc49dtzi7V4/s320/e172fd9f644038940cede1e7c516f73b.jpg) |
Etsy is a great source for personalized and instant downloadable prints. |
MIX IN SOME LIFE
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVT5BXxWKEjAoYd7quNACMAvlCg_2FZThMZ4X6hkOcLT4Gq0YrlmegOCJvhZmps3IxdUt4EJis9B6C1lVaax2EzLoMizCDdowyOC-OL1cJTtKGaWCFGv9yQkIQorUB2qLGTWzZtYl7bY/s400/dd5027366c7eccc18aea6cd40bce4c01.jpg) |
Add fresh flowers and a candle for beauty and movement! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXP-zxwb2C2sFamp9MNPdVGMnkkUundw4Ribb91CrhmieJdz6-MLvjZFWy7dO1afLSGjSIVBB_1e6Ix-yRZvod_ocJRoXN0JDUb7IYV-uw5vzqWHA41rOS-6BzFr9aIJmXq-ziFYvgUs/s400/54b696f2cc47b%2524%2521600x.JPG) |
Tuck a living plant in a corner (or a statute's head)! |
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH LOVE
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6CE7zsubxTG4KGjRet-au3LNbHfc_cX05Tmg4Ajxl3ATtnKgvDM_HPEH6WxcB42qT6g9TfC3yhFkrvg4Cn6CIyTf2bpuYdYIF9r7uS4P8T0SnE7USDu5hWFWSfwVt8tkbvvNY7e3Ot8/s400/5eb9589da945531b85a2a7ce30d0d138.jpg) |
Whether it's a collection of framed family photos, |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEualXrhFnZKXUT10JuhJ0pu3HHshx5z2kVRxKARAASRXlUlgxH2zrHuRhYgPZeVCgdnR0PMq8n0eubX_JetBQdcvSbqxUZnmHXExJ2SVbF1QzwBeQAED71efVxGaEcYrrFYy7frnMUE/s400/6adf4958620c6e9c259ebf50979f981b.jpg) |
or a quirky collection of buttons, |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3fKchMMdTYzny7inPkH92liEZFADkeyg7aZacwSslwRTO1BhsWUBZICDao0PDJ-m2pe70YegJXbDvi_fD4SGtq1v7bDhslkjF4M4sKMv_9ei1Rs1OIziee69a8kYYaSFxdgV13EQDus/s400/76c9e006b8688a542541fa23ef0d7c9b.jpg) |
or a sweet little something that makes you happy -
whatever it is, surround yourself with things you love. |
Next week I'll be writing about how to put your car to work! Whether for work, play, carting kids around or just the simple pleasure of knowing - '
you got this'!
Until next time,
la chasse au bonheur
translated this means - 'the hunt for happiness'