If you’re starting your own business or want a space to work from, then immediately you’ll be thinking about the cost of it all. The good news is that setting up an office on a budget is totally doable! All it takes is a little creativity and some smart choices. Here are some easy ways to achieve it.Use what you already have
Before you do anything else, take a look around your home or current office and see what you’ve already got that you can reuse. That desk that’s been sitting in the corner? A chair that’s more than comfortable enough to use? Don’t spend if you’ve already got some of the basics! Even if you only reuse one piece of furniture, you’re saving yourself money.
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Find affordable furniture
If the above isn’t an option, then it’s time to find some affordable furniture. You don’t need to go for high-end designer pieces (not to begin with anyway). For now, consider checking furniture stores where you can buy used office furniture for a fraction of the original price. If it still functions as it should, it’s a fantastic opportunity to save yourself some money as you’re first starting out. After all, every penny counts!
Go for multi purpose where you can
Another thing to keep in mind when you’re furnishing your office is multi purpose furniture. For example, choosing desks with built-in storage saves you having to buy shelves or filing cabinets. Or maybe even chairs that can extend to create extra seating for large meetings. Essentially, the more purposes your furniture has, the better.
DIY
If you’re good with your hands, why not consider building your own furniture? Not only would it be a very thrifty way of furnishing your office, but you could design it to perfectly fit your needs (and aesthetic, if you want). For example, you could build a perfectly-fitting corner desk in your office with ample storage, or you could turn old crates into a storage solution for everyone to use. If you’re not sure where to start, Pinterest is incredible for inspiration for DIY office projects. If building your own furniture isn’t your thing, you could still DIY your space with small touches of personalisation like artwork or plants.
Stick to the basics for technology
It’s all too easy to overspend when it comes to technology, but you need to be realistic. While yes, it’s nice to have the latest specced computer, do you really need it to be that powerful? A basic laptop or computer should be more than fine as you’re starting out. If your budget is really tight, consider looking on websites that refurbish models so you can save even more money. The same goes for other technology like your keyboard, mouse or printer. You can get technology that’s in good shape for less than you might think! Then, when things start to pick up and you’re seeing profits, you can consider upgrading.
Be organised
While there might come a time where you need lots of storage, there’s a good chance you won’t need it right away. So for now, keep your organisation simple. A set of drawers underneath your desk or a filing box might just tide you over until you absolutely need to upgrade. If your business is mainly online, consider going paperless right away and storing important documents on the cloud. It’s better for the environment, and much easier to keep track of.
Use natural light to your advantage
Lighting makes a huge difference to how your office feels, but it can be expensive. Natural light is completely free, so make the most of it where you can! This might mean setting your desk(s) up near the windows, especially where attention to detail is needed. If you do need lighting, pick up some inexpensive lamps to use as and when you need them. LED bulbs are really cheap to pick up and will help give you the light you need without running up an expensive electricity bill.
Create a calm atmosphere
Finally, while you want to save money where you can, it might be worth investing in some details that will help keep your office a calm and productive atmosphere. Small things like a rug, some plants or even some artwork can really make a difference to how you work. Again, you could even bring some of these things from home to save yourself even more money! Think of it as creating a space that makes you want to be productive, rather than just filling it with unnecessary decor.
