Since the COVID lockdowns began last year, almost half of U.S. employees shifted to remote work. The dining table was fine for some time. But as weeks turned into months and months into a year, we started looking for working spaces out on the patio, in the kitchen nook, or behind closed bedroom doors. Now more than ever before, people are saying goodbye to open floor spaces and seeking to find designated home office spaces from which they can be as efficient and productive as possible. And so the "cloffice" trend re-emerged. According to the 2021 Pinterest trend report, there has been a two-fold increase in the volume of searches for "cloffice ideas" on the platform over the past year.

If you're unfamiliar, a cloffice is a closet that has been converted into a functioning office space. It offers a functional yet design-savvy way to create a feasible workspace at home when square footage is tight. Here are tips for creating a stylish, affordable cloffice as recommended by our REALTORS®.

• Add A Work Surface
  A practical cloffice starts with a tabletop surface or desk where you can spread out paperwork and place your computer. If you have room, push an actual desk against the back wall of the closet. If that won't work because of dimensions or lack of space, try mounting a piece of plywood, butcher block, or MDF board with heavy-duty brackets to create a floating desktop. Keep in mind that the average office desk height is between 28 and 30 inches, but you can place your work surface in accordance with the chair you'll be using.
  
  
• Pull Up a Comfortable Desk Chair
  No cloffice would be complete without a dedicated chair, but picking the right one can be tricky. Typically, a good cloffice chair should be comfy and petite enough to fit into your compact work area. Try a cushioned dining chair with a swiveling base or a midcentury modern-inspired chair. If space is really tight, consider an upholstered pouf or ottoman that can tuck under the desk if space is really tight.
  
  
• Incorporate Different Types of Storage
  Getting your cloffice storage spot on is key to creating a functional and inspiring space that will keep you feeling productive. When designing your cloffice, ensure you have the best storage solutions to keep your office supplies, paperwork, and other essentials well organized. Mount floating shelves above the desk area, use desktop organizers, add hooks for your work items, or slide a set of drawers underneath the workstation for easy-access storage. Built-in cabinetry can be custom-fit to the closet's dimensions for a more permanent storage option.
  
  
• Create Privacy With a Door or Curtains
  Of course, you don't want a cloffice with a door that's constantly on your way or one that will disrupt the flow of your room if you use the office regularly. Consider adding a pocket door or a traditional one that slides in and out of the adjacent walls. Or you can install a door that tucks against either side of the closet. If you're working with a small closet and don't want to install a pocket door, consider removing the door entirely and hang a full-length curtain to keep the office concealed when you aren't using it.
  
  
• Incorporate Space-Savvy Lighting
  Good lighting is essential for a functional, pleasing, and productive workspace. However, incorporating lighting into a cloffice is no easy feat, especially when many closets don't have outlets. To add light without rewiring, consider installing battery-operated puck lights on the ceiling or the underside of the floating shelves to supply plenty of overhead light. If the closet has an electrical outlet, choose a wall sconce or a table lamp. And if bold statement lights are more your speed, hang a pendant light, an ornate chandelier, or a flashy ceiling flush mount that will give that luxe touch.

Our agents have seen increased buyer demand for home office space over the past year. So, showcasing a dedicated working area can make your home appealing to work-from-home buyers looking for Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale. Please contact us today to learn how we can help make your home stand out from the crowd.