Offices can be small, comfy

Not everyone commutes to the office. For many, the office is at home. For others, home is where the office needs to be.

For apartment dwellers, or anyone who lives in a small space, designating room as an office isn’t easy. It isn’t possible to remodel or make any structural changes, and money may be tight.

Here are some tips for creating a home office in a small area without blowing the budget:

Get Comfortable. Working at home doesn’t have to mean sitting on the bed, crouching over your notebook computer like Carrie Bradshaw in “Sex and the City,” or trying to work on the coffee table. Find a place where you are comfortable – near the window or away from family traffic – and establish your workstation. A folding table or even a piece of plywood over a pair of metal file cabinets will transform a corner into an office.

Make the most of the space you have. Often the dining room is the most underused space in a house or apartment. Commandeer the room, or a corner of it, for your home office. For entertaining, keep a folding or expandable table that can be set up quickly, and just as quickly put away.

Closet space. If you have a closet, you can make an office. A small desk or table and access to an electrical outlet can give you precious work space without infringing on the rest of your apartment. Simply close the closet door or a put up a folding screen to hide the clutter from guests.

All in one place. If possible, invest in a computer armoire to use as your home office space. Prices begin at around $500 and go as high as you want to pay. The advantage of an armoire office is that it can be closed when you want the office to go away. If you’re handy, you can find plans for building a computer armoire online at popularmechanics.com.

Get mobile. Finally, if the budget allows, consider a laptop or notebook computer so you are free to move around your small space.