How to Use a Dining Room as a Home Office

When you try to accomplish work at home, it can become a tedious chore. Sharing your work area in a dining room or public space can be distracting and inefficient. Often, a dedicated work space allows you to shut out those distractions and concentrate on the work at hand. If you don't have a room to devote to a dedicated work space, you can convert a little used area, such as your dining room, into a well-functioning home office. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Find office furniture. According to the Martha Stewart website, the most important elements in a home office are a desk, shelving and file drawers. You also need a comfortable work chair. You can spring for top-of-the-line office furniture or you can find sturdy, still useful furniture secondhand at thrift shops or garage sales. Wherever you buy your furniture, make sure it is solid and sturdy and make sure you buy at least the basics.

2

Paint your dining room a color that will assist you in getting your work done. If you need to be energized while working, a brighter color may work best for you. If you need a restful, relaxing area to complete your tasks, a neutral or paler shade might do the trick. If you work better in a cave-like room, try a deeper color, such as a chocolate or plum color. Choose a color you like and will be happy with long-term.

3

Paint your office furniture, if necessary. Secondhand desks and bookshelves look fresh, clean and new with a coat of paint. Use paint made specifically for the material your furniture is made out of, and prime each piece of furniture before you paint. Paint only in a well-ventilated area.

4

Arrange your work space. Start by putting your desk in its place. Move your filing cabinet and shelving so that it is within easy reaching area of your desk. Play around with the layout of the furniture until it is positioned the way it will work best for your needs.

5

Add accessories and additional furniture, such as a comfortable reading chair, if you want them. Accessories add touches of personality and color to your home office and can make the space your own.

6

Place hanging curtains over any open doorways to block off the space and make it a true designated office space.