How to Arrange an Office So It Feels Bigger

Define the Space

• Whether working within part of a room or a commercial space, it's important to define the perimeters of your office and create a room template with scaled measurements that can be referred to as needed. There are many online resources that offer complementary software to accomplish the task. Whether creating an electronic or a hand-drawn room plan, indicate the location and dimensions of all door and window openings, electrical and media outlets, overhead light sources and closet space. Using a 1/2-inch-equals-1-foot scale is recommended. Cut scaled rectangular pieces of paper or cardboard for the desk, chair and any other pieces of furniture that you plan to include in the space. Work with the paper or virtual elements within the space to come up with a pleasing arrangement that doesn't restrict access to the front or back of the desk or any entry points in the room.

Centrally Located

• Whenever possible, consider centering a desk in an office space, adjusting it forward as needed to allow for a required 24-inch chair clearance to maintain ease of access. By working from a center vantage point, you can easily disburse and access the other necessary furnishings and items around the room. With this open office plan, you will set the stage to add one or two visitor chairs facing the front of the desk that can be used by others when sharing the space.

Think Outside the Box

• Every room has features that can maximize its benefits. In a home office, a traditional clothes closet has the potential to be converted into a series of built-in bookshelves or a storage closet for office supplies with a few simple tweaks. By removing the closet doors and adding shelving across the widest wall, you can minimize the office clutter within the room and create attractive storage space. Try placing a desk facing a window to minimize or eliminate unwelcome screen glare while maximizing your view from behind the desk.

Location is Everything

• Offices can include many additional items out of necessity or preference. Sometimes an office is a shared space for two or more activities, such as craft projects. Include larger items such as exercise equipment in the floor plan layout to help create a spacious feel. The location of an office should be somewhat detached from other task areas, such as the kitchen and utility room. Your office should be able to provide a certain level of privacy, security and noise control. When deciding where to locate your office space, consider circumstances that can affect productivity, such as nearby televisions. Any office space can appear larger with some advance measuring and planning.