Anyone’s office looking a bit smaller these days?

The good news is that you’re not alone.

As how we work, when we work and where we work has changed over the last five months, many of us are working in smaller spaces than we were used to.

Not everyone has a corner office with a view in their downtown apartment, after all.

While many people have had dreams about “remote life” or working from home on a regular basis, now that it’s become the norm, the challenges and limitations have started to bubble to the surface. They’re not insurmountable challenges, but they do require attention and planning.

In this edition of Think Space, we’re tackling the small-space office and providing tips to create a workspace that’s comfortable and productive, but won’t break the bank.

The Logistical Hurdles of a Small Office Space

It’s important to recognize that not everyone is accustomed to working from home.

“The main challenge is finding the right space in your home,” said Monica Laverman, Senior Manager, Merchandising for The HON Company. “Different generations have different preferences and arrangements; if you live in a studio apartment or a one- or two-bedroom apartment, for example, you may have roommates and you find yourself working in the bedroom. Finding and creating a space where you don’t feel like you’re living at work is really important.

“People who are used to working from home have a dedicated space in the home. You don’t go to bed seeing your workspace. The separation between work time and personal time is key.”

Once you’ve figured out where to set up your workspace, the focus shifts to getting used to it. If you’ll be spending a lot of time in your new space, it should be comfortable and designed to help you get things done.

HON TIP: Think About Ergonomics & Ease of Assembly

Change isn’t always easy.

And when change is so sudden, sometimes we sacrifice in certain areas just to adapt as quickly as possible. With our workspaces, that often results in a setup that’s not ergonomically viable, like a stool at the kitchen counter or a “lap desk” when you’re sitting on the couch.

Laverman says finding a solution that blends aspects of the professional setting (for example, a properly designed chair) within your personal space can go a long way toward making you more comfortable and productive in a small office.

“Getting an ergonomic product for your small space is a challenge, especially if you don’t have your own space,” Laverman said. “Even if you’re putting a small desk in your bedroom, it should still have that consistent look and feel. Ideally, everything in your workspace looks the same, has the same style and is functional.”

That’s a big step. But another one that gets overlooked is assembly.

If you’ve been to a big-box retail or home goods store (or ordered furniture online), you’ve likely been burdened by a box filled with instructions, tools, pieces and parts. Some required tools may not be tools that you own, making assembly a frequent pain point. We get that.

Many of our small-space office solutions are available via the Quick Ship program, which means they ship and deliver in as little as 10-14 days. We’ve also developed a series of new products that are easier to assemble and don’t require a frustrating all-day building session.

Yeah...we’ve been there, too.

HON TIP: Consider Products That Fit Your Needs and Your Space

Some of us will have to get more creative than others. But that’s part of the fun, right?

While many businesses around the world are in “wait and see” mode regarding a return to work, their teams are (for the most part) working remotely in the interim. If you’re among the remote workers who have been getting by with a workable space but need to make some of the adjustments mentioned above in this article, we’ve got your back.

We’ll start with the important items (and the easiest to acquire): ergonomic chairs, monitor arms and desks that fit small spaces. HON offers solutions like the Convergence, Ignition and Solve desk chairs, which provide comfort and support through a long work day. These chairs pair well with a smaller Voi desk, which features height-adjustable legs to get the proper fit.

“What we’ve learned is that too many people are working from a counter or kitchen table. In a worst-case scenario, we can get them a nice, supportive chair to pull up to their dining room table,” Laverman said. “While adaptation started slow, we began seeing huge spikes that started in June and July where companies and individuals were investing in work from home products. Companies are now more comfortable trusting their employees to work from home and the studies are backing this up.

“The key thing to keep in mind is we should be bringing the comfort of work into the home. It’s been a flip, if you think about it; we had so much talk about ‘resimercial’ before the pandemic and making the office feel like home, and now it’s becoming the opposite.”

Function & Furniture Will Help You Create the Best Small-Office Space

Long story short: small office spaces don’t have to be piecemealed together or uncomfortable. With a small change here and there, and an upgrade to office furniture, your space can quickly become one that’s desirable (and healthier) to work from.

HON’s wide variety of products and solutions features several options for small spaces that can help those working from home be more productive. If you’re interested in learning more either for yourself or your remote employees, please visit hon.com/industry/work-from-home-solutions.