If there are two things that many tiny house lovers agree on, it’s that traditional homes are too big and workspaces are too confining. This mindset has bolstered the tiny house movement as well as the remote work culture. But combining the two might seem difficult. Difficult, but not impossible.

Here are a few tips on how to turn your less-than-400-square-foot-space into a home office that won’t interfere with living.

How to get rid of things you don’t need.

If you’ve already started your tiny house journey, great. You’ve probably purged down to bare bones. But, when you are just getting ready to take the first steps, getting rid of excess junk is one step you can’t overlook.

It’s easy to get into this mindset that more is better, but in reality, as Organise My House points out, much of the stuff you’re holding onto is likely a little more than clutter. Roll up your sleeves, bite the bullet, and find a prescreened junk removal service to haul away and properly dispose of old carpeting, broken appliances, mattresses, and other large items that have no place in your tiny home.

The same advice can be applied to your small space if it’s already cluttered up. Keep in mind that you are going to have to bring certain things in to have an office, so making a spot for that is essential.

Choose the best internet provider.

Next up, do your research on internet providers. Ideally, you can find a service that offers lightning-fast speeds, and that has hot spots all over if you plan to travel. HighSpeedInternet.com is a great resource for comparing providers in all 50 states.

You also want to keep in mind whether or not your provider offers wireless Internet, and if you can use your phone as a mobile hotspot. This is especially important if you are in a rural area. And of course, taking steps to ensure your data is secure is a must.

Find functional home office furnishings.

Now it’s time to look for furniture that will fit into your scaled-back lifestyle. Most office supply stores have a selection of portable laptop desks and larger surfaces that can be folded in and out to store when not in use.

You also need plenty of office supplies and equipment. A portable printer is a must, and GearHungry recommends several small models that are equipped with Bluetooth technology that can print on both standard and legal-sized paper.

Another idea to help you save space without losing functionality is to turn your desk or other surface into a whiteboard. SmarterSurfaces notes that if you choose to paint your desk, it may take seven days before its ready to use.

Soundproof your zone and use headphones.

Finally, you’ll want to ensure that your space is quiet so that you can concentrate when it’s time to get to work. Tiny homes are often less insulated and more prone to sound intrusion than their brick-and-mortar counterparts. You can use many of the tactics used to soundproof a mobile home, including filling any gaps in the home and adding noise-blocking curtains to the windows.

Something else you might need to consider if you travel for work is making sure you know where co-working spaces are along the way. When you live and work at home, the last thing you want is to have to conduct meetings in your personal space.

Just because you want the best of both worlds – personal freedom and freedom from the bonds of material goods – does not mean that you don’t have to make a living. But thanks to the internet and technology, living where you work is an absolute possibility, and you don’t need a McMansion to make it happen. Part ways with excess stuff, pull in clever solutions, and go get ‘em!

-Blog post by Natalie Jones

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