You’re working from home, but your budget is limited for setting up an office. So how do you create a productive workspace without breaking the bank? These creative solutions will help you maximize your productivity without maxing out your credit card.

Bargain Shop for Inexpensive Desk and Surface Options

You can pick up an inexpensive desk from a consignment store, or any number of retailers like Ikea, Staples, Overstock and Wayfair. If you anticipate having lots of files, consider buying a standalone desktop surface (or creating one if you’re a DIY type—old, refinished doors work well), and placing it atop two file cabinets.

If you prefer to use your laptop in multiple rooms, look into purchasing a lateral file. It’s large enough to hold a charging station and office supplies on the top, while giving you loads of room for files and other supplies in the drawers. Hang some shelves above it for more storage,  and use a bulletin board to post materials you reference often.

With the advent of flat screen TVs, old entertainment centers and armoires have lost their place in many living rooms, rendering them inexpensive and readily available. Find a bargain, then reconfigure it as an office storage unit. When the doors close, so does your workday.

If you have a little-used closet, set up a work surface inside (just make sure your power strip can reach an outlet with the addition of an extension cord). Any built-in shelving can be used for office supplies, saving you space and money at the same time.

Repurpose Existing Furniture 

Go “shopping” in your own home: Repurpose furniture and housewares you already have for workspace or work storage. Crates can turn into file cabinets. A nightstand can become a printer stand. Mismatched kitchenware and empty jars can transform into funky holders for pens, scissors, and letter openers.

Become a Magician: Now You See It, Now You Don’t

Purchase an inexpensive bin to hold your most-used files and supplies. Some filing cabinets have wheels, but you can also use stackable file boxes, which are easy to move at day’s end. Then you can easily co-opt a dining room table or breakfast bar for work by bringing out your office bin. This same concept applies to a folding table, which easily stores under your bed or next to the washer/dryer. Pull out your table, set it up, and voilá — instant desk. Put it away, and your home regains its “chill” vibe.

Spread Out with Wireless Equipment

There’s no way around it: Your work supplies take actual space in your home. Whether it’s a standalone desk or a repurposed closet, your home workspace must hold office supplies and tools, files or manuals, and equipment. To save on the amount of needed space, set up a wireless network, and suddenly you have nearly unlimited options on how you arrange your office.

For as little as $50, you can add a wireless router to your internet service, allowing your printer and computer to work together without being side by side. Printers, scanners, and all-in-ones take up a LOT of room. Wireless connectivity gives you the ability to set up your printer in any part of the house, which means you need less actual workspace.

Wander from Home

Skip the home office altogether and research areas in your community with free Wi-Fi and a quiet working space (such as a library, coffee shop or community center). Setting up “shop” might require the cost of a cup of coffee each day, but it’s worth it to get out of the house and having a dedicated space to work.

The WFH option is a real luxury that doesn’t have to cost a penny extra. With a little ingenuity, you can create a workspace that takes full advantage of your situation and keeps your budget on track. Without having to go to an office, you’ll also save on clothing and commuting expenses,  which just might allow you to upgrade your home office later.

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Author, editor and producer Libby McMillan Henson has worked from home for most of her career. She writes for Apartment Guide, covering creative ways to make your home work for you.