Planning Your Home Office Renovation

When you work from home, having a space that allows you to concentrate and be productive is essential. Sometimes that means taking over an extra bedroom or the dining area in your home. If your workspace is less than ideal, i.e., you've taken over the kitchen table or living room, this blog is for you. It's time to create a space in your home that is both functional and reflective of who you are so you can do your best work. Here are some tips for accomplishing a great work-from-home space.

First, let's consider the nature of your work. Do you participate in a lot of conference calls? Do you need to meet with clients? Do you need space to spread out large documents or other materials? Thinking first about what it is you actually do in the act of performing your job will help in planning out the ideal space for your home office. If you are on lots of phone calls, having a quiet area apart from the hustle and bustle of your family can be helpful. Same goes with if you need to meet with clients, you would probably benefit from a larger space located close to your home's entrance.

Second, consider your desk, shelves, storage, and seating needs. Your furniture should support the work you do, not create the need for you to work around it. For example, think about your workflow and which items you need at your fingertips on a regular basis. If you need to use a large monitor and have a phone, printer, and other objects nearby, that cute little desk probably isn't going to be sufficient. Same holds true if you need to have files or other supplies within reach, you will want a desk option with drawers to accommodate these items. When selecting furniture, your best bet for long-term satisfaction are collections with lots of configuration options and expansion pieces. Maybe the budget doesn't allow you to get everything at once, but when you're ready, coordinating pieces will be available.

Third, your ideal workspace should reflect who you are and keep you motivated. This is where color and decoration play a significant role in your home office renovation. For instance, forget the standard "office beige" and instead paint your walls a color that you enjoy. Don't worry about what is "on trend" as paint is one of the easiest things to change and it's more important that you're happy in your space. If you don't like the color of your office, you're less likely to do your work there. And, be sure to fill your space with decor that makes you happy — everything from plants to artwork to pictures and more help to create a unique and welcoming space.

Fourth, lighting is a huge factor for creating a functional and enjoyable workspace. Whether your light comes from a natural source (a bright window) or from ceiling/floor lamps, make sure you have plenty to meet your needs. But don't settle for boring lighting options. There are great pendant and chandelier options that can really transform a room from "meh" to "ooh la la" without much fuss.

Fifth, be the ruler of your office and conquer every square foot available to you for storage and general organization. Think vertically and horizontally. Floating shelves can offer storage solutions for smaller items, and custom built-in shelving and bookcases can accommodate larger or heavier items. Built-in storage options are also great if you are one who likes everything to be accessible but not necessarily seen until needed and there are many versatile options available to meet your exact specifications.

Last, but not least, make sure your home office is wired to meet your technology needs. Does the office have enough outlets and, more importantly, in the places where you need them? Do you have adequate plugs for wired internet connections? Are your outlets surge protected so your computer equipment won't be damaged when the power fluctuates or goes out?

At Fort Rock Construction, we have helped many homeowners in the Eugene and Springfield area with home renovations and home remodels so they can work from home. This has included bedroom conversions, living room conversions, garage conversions, home additions, and reclaiming unused attic and basement space to create livable and workable areas. If you are interested in learning more about the options for your home, please give us a call at 541-767-1611. We would be happy to help with your home office renovation.