2020 is the year of online learning, and people across Texas and the rest of the country are trying to manage how to create more space for home classrooms. It could be that the dining table has turned into a desk for you and your children, perhaps your house has become a disaster zone, or maybe you are thinking of finding a top agent in Austin, TX to help you sell your home.
The experts at HomeLight polled nearly 1,000 real estate agents to see how home buyers and sellers are adjusting to this new normal. Decluttering is the first step in figuring out where to create a dual office. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Declutter and clear out spaces
You’ve probably already heard of Marie Kondo’s decluttering method, to only keep items that spark joy. Even if you’ve already tried this on your home in the past, if you need more space for a home study area, now is the time to try again. This method includes donating or tossing items that don’t spark joy, and keeping everything else.
Sort through items by category, such as children's toys, or books, to make it easier to go through them quickly. Don’t get hung up on which items to donate with boxes for “keep, donate, and I don’t know.” The “I don’t know” box will help you move through items more swiftly, then you can go back to them later.
Clearing out space in closets and cabinets can make more room for books, or even study nooks with a well-lit desk. If you have an unused room that looks more like a storage unit, it’s time to clear it out to make room for a homeschool.
Dedicate a space
Once you’ve gotten a handle on your clutter, then you can think creatively about the best work areas. The ideal way to achieve long-term success for a home classroom and office — as per the results of a recent survey of top real estate agents from HomeLight talking about how people are creating this work environment at home — is with a dedicated space.
Home offices or study areas can be set up in spare bedrooms, basements, closets, or even in a corner of a larger room.
If you have a large, open living room, it might be an option to use a room divider to section off a study area. Key factors are a clear division from the rest of the home, and that this space is only for studying during the day.
In smaller spaces, use a desk to fold away into a cabinet or fold down when not in use. You may find that by clearing out bookcases, or other storage, you can fit school supplies and books.
If you have a spare room with a full bed, consider swapping it out for a space-saving trundle to make way for a desk.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you need more space to create a successful study area at home — by first decluttering you might be surprised by how much room you actually have to work and live in.
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