As many of us continue to work from home and continue to convert areas of our home into work spaces rather than return to the office, the portmanteau cloffice (combining "closet" and "office") has seen renewed popularity. Obviously it can be a bit tricky to organize a space that must serve several different functions, but we're here with a few tips and suggestions to help make it easier.
Purge what you don't need
Most closets have at least a few items that you hardly ever--if at all--use, so feel free to discard or donate those items to someone else who could use them. Or, if you can't bear to part with them, find another area of your home to store them to free up space in your cloffice. (Oh, and speaking of throwing things out, a small wastebasket certainly isn't a bad idea either.)
Suggested products include: simplehuman Trash Bags | Poppin White Powder-Coated Wastebasket | Umbra Teal Skinny Trash Can
Make the most of your closet rod
If you're working out of your closet, there's no sense in using up valuable shelf space on folded clothes if they don't need to be folded. In that case, we recommend using thinner hangers to make the most of your closet rod real estate and hang up as many garments as possible.
Suggested products include: Taupe Premium Non-Slip Velvet Hangers | Black Non-Slip Rubberized Suit Hangers | Clear Slim Hangers
Store extra items under the bed and out of sight
Another way to free up closet space is to utilize any extra space you may have under your bed. Underbed storage boxes are especially good for your out-of-season wardrobe, as well as any "dressy" professional clothes and shoes you aren't currently wearing. (After all, pajama bottoms are the new dress skirt.)
Suggested products include: Our Long Underbed Box | Grey 16-Compartment Under Bed Shoe Organizer | White Montauk Underbed Storage Bins
Add a workspace that works for you
Adding a small desk space can be easier than you think; all it takes is a little imagination. If the space is a tall and narrow nook, go for a slim desk profile but make the most of the vertical space by adding shelves above it. If it's a lower space with existing shelves or hanging space above it, you can make do with a freestanding desk or a simple wall-mounted Elfa desktop.
Suggested products include: Elfa White Desk with Drawers | Elfa Grey & Platinum Shelving Office Nook | 20" Deep White Elfa Melamine Shelf (we can create a simple Elfa design to incorporate this into your space)
Utilize empty wall space
The empty space above a desk or on the closet door can also be very useful, so find a smart solution (such as a pegboard or Door & Wall Rack) that takes advantage of it.
Suggested products include: Bello Pegboard System | Perch Magnetic Modular System | Elfa White Utility Mesh Closet Over the Door Rack
Don't skimp on comfort
If you're going to primarily be seated in one spot for about eight hours a day, that spot had better be comfortable! There's no need for working from home to be--quite literally--a pain in the butt. Opt for a chair that's fairly small, but still kind to your behind.
Suggested products include: Poppin Slate Blue Max Task Chair | Black Flat Bungee Office Chair with Arms | Poppin White Key Chair
For more organization tips, check out our Projects & Inspiration page. You can also browse our closet and office sections for plenty of more great solutions!
