If you work from home at least part of the time, or if you just want a space where you can plan your day and pay your bills, you might consider a home office. That way you’ll have the option of using the space for all kinds of work activities, but you can do some fun things there, too, like playing games with friends on your computer or even coloring. A home office space doesn’t have to be very expensive either. There are plenty of options for getting a home office on a budget, and that can help you get the space you want for a price you can afford and feel good about. With insider tips, you’ll keep your budget intact and get the opportunity to have a home office space you really love.
1). Can you re-purpose unused furniture?
Having unused furniture around the home is pretty common. Maybe there’s that chair that came out of the spare bedroom or a work table that came out of the craft room you had in your last house. No matter what’s available, see if there’s a way you can use it for your office area. It might need a little bit of fixing up, or it may need sanded down and repainted. What about some new hardware on a drawer or door? There are many great ways to make something look new again, and re-purposing what you have around your house is among the very best ways to save money. You might not get everything you need that way, but the more you get the less you’ll have to spend to make your home office into something you’re comfortable with and can use and enjoy for a long time to come.
2). What personal touches will make your office feel welcoming?
In the process of buying your home, you may not have really thought about the personal touches a home office will need. Either you didn’t need an office then, or you weren’t sure what kind of space and style was going to work for you. By focusing on the personal touches that make your office space welcoming, you’ll naturally want to spend more time there. Most of those personal touches can be things you already have around the house, too, like knickknacks that are important to you or something your child has made or a family member has given you. Take a careful look around your home, and see what’s available. Then make a list of the things you want and need so you can get them at the store the next time you’re out shopping for your home.
3). Should you use ‘free to good home’-style sites online?
Some of the options for finding furniture and other items for your home office include Freecycle and similar types of sites. Craigslist also offers a lot of options, and there may be groups selling or donating items in your local area on Facebook. There’s no harm in checking, just be aware that scams on these sites are possible. If you do decide to get something from an online site that a stranger is selling or giving away, meet in a public place and take someone with you. Online sites that offer things for free or very inexpensively are great ways to get furniture and other things you need, but you don’t want to put yourself at risk of harm just to save a few dollars. Public places and the buddy system help avoid the biggest percentage of those problems.
The quality of the items you’ll find can really vary, as well, so make sure you check something out carefully before you take it home. If it doesn’t work for you or is coming apart and can’t be repaired, you may find that you just have to haul it to the dump. Naturally, that’s not going to help your budget or your stress levels, so it’s something you probably want to avoid as much as possible. It may also take you a while to find what you need, but if you’ll be patient and check the sites you’re using frequently, you’ll have the chance to get what you need.
4). How can you upcycle organizers and more?
Along with the purchase of a home comes hopes, dreams, ideas, and more. Even simple little things can really add up, so you don’t want to discount their importance. If you have organizers and other items around that could be used for a home office, or a way to make these things out of the objects you have, you can upcycle your way right into some great home office stuff. There are so many options for creating new things from what you already have around or what you can purchase inexpensively that it’s a great way to make your home office look beautiful and keep you on or even under your projected budget.
2 Point Highlight
If you work from home at least part of the time, or if you just want a space where you can plan your day and pay your bills, you might consider a home office.
There are many great ways to make something look new again, and re-purposing what you have around your house is among the very best ways to save money.
