Tips to renovate your Home Office on a budget
With the home office becoming a necessary feature of new homes, those who are working in spare bedrooms or other spaces in the home should consider remodeling to create a dedicated office space. A professional remodeler can help make important decisions that will add value to the home and give return on investment. Whether your home office is a designated place for running a business or a site for multi-tasking, it should be a comfortable place where you showcase your creativity and collectibles, your art and books and anything else that inspires you.
Key Points
Houzz.com, polled its community members to find out what makes for the perfect working from home space. Top findings included:
Dedicated space.
From converted linen closets, to loft spaces, to dual-purpose guest bedroom/offices, 82 percent of respondents have a dedicated space for working from home.
Productivity must-haves.
When asked what element is most important to being productive in their home office, 31 percent said they need a comfortable desk and chair, followed by 23 percent who require a door for privacy and 21 percent who prefer a quiet location away from living areas and kids’ bedrooms. Good lighting and storage space are also important (10 percent and 9 percent, respectively).
Pet peeves.
Interruptions top the list of pet peeves while working from home (45 percent), followed by 27 percent who have too much clutter due to a lack of storage and 10 percent who dislike sharing a space with others. (Houzz 2017 Work From Home Poll Series.)
With these statistics and more in mind, we’ve compiled some tips to help you create a charming, practical work space.
Choose a focal point.
Position the desk where you can see more than a blank wall when you look up from your work. A window is a great focal point that also provides some natural lighting. If glare is a problem, translucent window shades or blinds can help reduce any glare without darkening the room. If the space has no opportunity for a view, then consider positioning the desk to face the door instead, or place one of your favorite pieces of art or an inspirational pin board above the desk.
Built-ins.
Custom millwork will be an added expense in any renovation, but is always money well spent. There is no better way to make efficient use of your space, especially in a home office. Storage is often overlooked and underestimated when designing a home office – a mistake that can affect your productivity. Make sure to include enough shelving, filing cabinets or cupboards to accommodate work space needs. For those on a tight budget, consider bookshelves and storage units; framing them with moldings creates a custom built-in look for less.
Invest in ergonomic and multi-use pieces.
A sit/stand work stool will be worth the investment. Since you’ll likely spend hours there, a beautiful, ergonomically correct, comfortable chair will be worth every penny. Make sure your desktop is wide enough for your computer while allowing an adequate work surface.
Houzz senior editor Anne Colby says, “If you can splurge on only one thing in your office, make it your workstation. Having an ergonomic – meaning efficient and safe – arrangement of your chair, desk, computer, keyboard, mouse and telephone can keep you working more productively and prevent repetitive injuries.”
If space limitation requires this to be a multi-purpose space, consider including an extra desk chair to allow two to work at once or provide a place for a visitor, a coffee table that has storage, a day bed that can act as a sofa or guest bed, or side tables that could act as stools.
Color palette.
Research indicates that dark colors can make a space feel smaller. Select a hue that gets your motor running. For some, bright, cheery colors like orange or lime green work well. Others prefer calming greens or blues to achieve peak performance. Consider keeping the walls white and adding interest with some well-placed wallpaper and wainscoting. You can always add sumptuous color and inspiration with an area rug, art and other unique objects.
Master your technology and its mess.
Position equipment near outlets that are easy to access when it’s time to unplug. Utilize a wireless router and invest in both a wireless printer and a wireless mouse. To minimize the messy appearance of electric cords, add a grommet in your desktop to lead wires from the desk to the plug, attach visible wires to the underside of your desk and along a desk leg, and then gather floor wires with a simple cord tamer. Colby advises, “Digital devices and other technology should be a primary consideration in your office design. Consider hiring an electronics pro to help you arrange and install everything properly.”
Let there be light.
Good office lighting is critical as it will cut down on eye strain and headaches. An overhead ceiling light will provide good general lighting. A pair of open-top floor lamps placed in corners will do the same. Include a desk light to provide shadow-free task lighting and extra light in the evenings. Full spectrum daylight bulbs in your light fixtures will provide an extra boost. Add a mirror to enhance natural light, and the reflection will instantly open up the space, making it appear larger and lighter.
Location is key.
Home offices come in many different shapes and sizes. The key is to think about where and when you do your work. If you are a busy mom, a kitchen desk area may be the ideal place; if you’re a professional, staying away from the daily flow and distractions of your household will be important; for other family members, an unused wall can be converted into a long desk with room for multiple stations.
Allow enough room.
Make sure you will be able to move easily from side to side, to stand up and to sit back from your desk. To avoid underestimating, allow at least 60 inches in width and 84inches in depth. Also, consider your work flow – what comes in, where will it stay while you’re working on it, and where does it go when you’re finished? Place an inbox on or next to your desk. Keep your current work, your filing system and reference materials within arm’s reach.
Make a Floor Plan.
With the essentials in mind, begin your home office design with a floor plan, which you can easily find online. This tool will help you organize your thoughts and cover all your bases. Create furniture layouts and floor plans. Try built-ins, different pieces of furniture, add lighting and determine which location in your home will work best. With an online planner, you’ll be able to easily visualize your design ideas in 3D and create a complete home office design before you begin.
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Sources include HGTVcom, HOUZZ.com, and entrepreneur.com.
