Even without the actual “need” to work from home, many businesses are allowing, and even encouraging, their employees to continue working remotely. Remote workers can be more productive, efficient, and are often happier than those who still commute to a workplace daily. This increase in remote work has also increased the need for optimized home office spaces that can allow professionals to work from home in an efficient and comfortable way.
Different industries have different needs for their remote offices. Will you be on calls for the majority of the workday and need a quiet space with privacy? Does your job require a lot of paperwork, meaning you need a lot of storage options? How much space does your set up require? If you can work with a laptop and mobile phone, your office needs will be very different from someone who uses a multi-monitor set up or hosts meetings with clients and colleagues. Before you consult with a remodeling contractor and begin to design your home office, think about exactly what you will need from that office space.
You may not have a spare room that can be converted into a remote office, but many homes have underutilized spaces that an experienced home remodeling contractor can convert into the perfect office. You may consider turning a portion of a hallway, closet, or nook into an office. With the right design, skilled contractor, and organizational tools, even a small space can become a beautiful and functional home office.
Over the last few years many people had the opportunity to work remotely for the first time, and not everyone is going back to the office. This shift emphasizes the need for a dedicated workspace that has the option to be closed off from the “living” areas of the home. Designing a home workspace with that in mind will allow for productive collaborations and increased concentration. However, the popularity of open concept design that was prevalent when many homes were built can work against this. When you are designing a home office and repurposing a space in an open concept living area, consider adding a wall or doors to an underused living or dining room. French doors can provide your office the privacy it needs while still allowing a good visual flow in the main space of your home. In addition to a physical separation, talk to your contractor about installing soundproofing that will allow the noise of your home and the noise in your office to remain separate.
Most employees are not productive in a cluttered space, but many homeowners do not want their home to feel like a corporate cubicle with industrial file cabinets. Your home improvement contractor can solve this organizational challenge with customized built-in storage solutions that will allow you to easily organize and store everything you need for a productive workspace. Floating shelves, built-in filing cabinets, built-in bookshelves and cable channels can all take the cluttered and impersonal office mess and create an aesthetically pleasing and productive office space that keeps everything you need at hand.
If you don’t have the space for a home office on the main levels of your home, finishing a basement can be the perfect solution. Because the basement is away from the activity of the home and is physically separated, it can allow for the perfect work/life balance that is necessary to find when working remotely. While finishing a basement can be a significant remodeling project that may involve plumbing, electrical work, added insulation, and new flooring, it is also a project that will add value to your home far beyond the immediate need for a dedicated office space. Professional home remodeling contractors can help you design and implement a plan that will not only allow you to have a dedicated and separate office space, but will give your family room to grow throughout the years.
Harsh office lighting was never a sought-after design choice, and it certainly has no place in a home office. As you design your space, talk to your home remodeling contractor about the balance of natural light and lighting systems that will optimize your focus. A window that allows natural light can make many workers more productive, and your remodeling contractor can help you design the perfect space to add a window if the current space doesn’t have one. Installing recessed lighting that can be adjusted for different times of day will also make your home office one that truly allows for focus. Layered lighting is often a perfect solution, as it combines general lighting, accent lighting, and task lighting. Your contractor can help you find the right lighting solution to reduce eye strain and allow a functional space in your home to stay aesthetically appealing.
Remote work can be the perfect solution for many employees, allowing for increased productivity, saving on commuting time, and optimizing their workspace. As more of the workforce moves from in-office to remote, you can design a space without allowing your office to take over your home life or give your home a cluttered or impersonal feel. A remodeling contractor can help you achieve the perfect balance. All-Nu Construction is proud to be an industry leader in this community. With decades of home improvement experience, we have the knowledge, experience, and skilled team to bring your plans to life. Contact us to schedule an appointment to talk about your new home office today!