Working from home is not going away anytime soon, in fact, it is quite the opposite. Many companies have extended their work from home policies through 2021 and some have decided to change over a large portion of their workforce to work from home, permanently. Loss of a commute, the ability to remain at home in inclement weather, and an extremely casual dress code may all be benefits stemming from this change. However, unless you have dedicated office space in your home, there may be some downsides to this arrangement. Creating a quiet, comfortable, and fully equipped workspace is the key to a functional and proper place to be productive.
Creating a Home Office
Some people are fortunate to already have an office to work from, but what happens when a spouse is now also working from home or there is no room set aside to emulate a work environment? Adding an addition is a wonderful option to create a home office if one is necessary. This will enable existing space like a dining room to remain status quo and assist with establishing a legitimate work atmosphere. After only so much time, is a makeshift workspace effective. Start thinking about designing a home office and accelerate your productivity as soon as possible.
Finding Space for Your Home Office
When setting up a home office, the first requirement is to allocate space. Do you have an extra bedroom? Can you convert a guest room? Do you have the ability to use exterior property to build an addition? If you are short on indoor space, take a moment to consider your outdoor assets. You may be able to borrow square footage from your patio or take advantage of unused space in your yard to build an addition. There are several ways that you can utilize your outdoor areas, so give it full consideration when planning your project. Being surrounded by nature is excellent for developing a positive and motivational environment to work from.
Home Office Must Haves
In addition to designating space to accommodate working from home, there are many other elements required to achieve a proper setup. Furniture, including a proper desk and comfortable chair should be the first considerations. Electric and internet access is imperative to keep you online and to fuel any of the equipment such as printers and shredders that are required for your office. Lighting is essential as well, especially to reduce eye strain and headaches. A task light on the desk is great to have, but you can utilize natural light from windows, if they are present in the space that you work in. Windows are imperative as they provide a means of egress and deliver access to sunlight and nature, which will provide serenity that can enable you to thrive.
Folders and filing systems should not be forgotten. Organization is key for efficiency and increased productivity. Be sure to have all the necessary accessories like writing instruments and post-it notes at your disposal. Desk organizers can be wonderful to help tidy up these accessories. You can choose from so many functional and decorative ones that are available to liven up your space. Be sure to purchase something for cord management so that you can control all the wires that will be plugged in around your office. Finally, add some pictures and an indoor plant to spruce up the area.
Make the Move to Improve
Whether it's for privacy on conference calls, a quiet space away from the kids on virtual classrooms, or to foster inspiration, developing an office at home is a great investment. The room can double up as a homework space for kids (after the workday ends) and an office for your spouse if you have alternating work from home days. Should there no longer be a need for a dedicated office in the future, additions can always be converted to an additional living space or multipurpose room.
If you have started considering options for designing a home office, we are here to provide suggestions based on your needs and your budget. Please contact us at 888-270-3546 to turn your work from home ideas from concept to reality.