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Tips & Tricks
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If you work from home, it is important to have a home office that is as separate as possible from the rest of your home. This can be achieved in a number of ways. You could remodel an existing space, such as a basement, garage or attic; or you could add extra space by building an extension or placing a free-standing home office in your garden.
Converting your spare bedroom into a home office is perhaps the easiest solution. In most cases, all you will need to do is remove the bedroom furniture; paint the walls; change the flooring if necessary; and move in your office furniture. You could use the closet to organize and store stationery, files and other materials that need to be kept out of sight but in an accessible place.
If you currently use your basement only for storage, it could be a good idea to convert it into a home office. The main advantage of doing so is the availability of space. Once the renovation work has been completed, you will have a whole floor of your home to use as your working space. However, if your basement is damp, dark and likely to flood, it may not be the best place to locate your home office.
When converting your basement into a home office, lighten the atmosphere by painting the walls in bright colors. Add white painted or light-colored wooden furniture. To supplement the amount of natural light coming into the basement, add a lot of adjustable lighting.
Attics can also be converted into home offices. Add skylights and/or a dormer window to maximize the amount of daylight coming in. If you currently have a ladder leading up to your attic, you will need to replace it with a new staircase.
If you have a garage, you may wish to consider converting all or part of it into a home office. If you convert your garage into two separate rooms divided by a wall, ensure that you will not be disturbed during working hours by other family members using the other room or by washers or dryers.
Another possibility is to extend your home, either by building an extension at the back of your house or above your garage. An advantage of extending your home is that you could create a separate business entrance that only your clients use.
An outdoor, detached office that is completely separate from your home has many advantages. It tends to be quieter than an area within your home and it is harder to be interrupted from your work by family members or impromptu visitors. Since it is physically removed from your home, it is less likely that you will be distracted from your work. It is also easier to welcome clients who will not need to walk through part of your home to reach your home office.
An existing separate building, such as a cabin or shed, can be converted into a home office. Alternatively, you could purchase a prefabricated home office that can be assembled quickly and easily at a reasonable price. Check your local building regulations first to ensure you are allowed to add a new structure without prior permission.
Once your detached home office has been set up, bring in a coffee maker, a small refrigerator and a microwave, so that you will not have to return to your home during your working day.
Whichever part of your home you decide to remodel in order to create your home office, ensure that it is a place in which you will enjoy spending time. Two ways in which you can do this are to participate in the design process and to furnish your home office yourself. If you are surrounded by designs and colors that you love, you will be motivated to work productively in your home office.
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