Where to Put a Home Office
Tips and Suggestions for Incorporating a Work Space in the Home
May 29, 2009
Home offices are becoming a necessity in many households, but not everyone has an entire room to devote to one. But fear not. Home offices can be incorporated into several different areas of a home. When creating a home office, it’s important to keep in mind your specific needs, including storage, work space and proper lighting.
Here are a few things to think about when deciding where to put a home office:
Work in the Kitchen
Kitchens are often the hub of the home. It’s where people congregate morning, noon, and night. Kitchens are well suited to household management work. Try to set aside a corner that isn’t close to food preparation areas to minimize the risk of damage to computer equipment and papers.
Put an Office in the Attic
Attics can be tricky to make use of as they often have slanting walls and low ceilings. Why not turn one into a home office? The benefits include privacy and if there’s a window, a nice view. Low bookshelves are well suited to the unusual dimensions of the room.
Basements as Work Spaces
Basements provide space, privacy, and a spot away from the hustle and bustle of the household. Basements can be dark, but purchase some good lighting, and paint with light, neutral colors and it shouldn’t be a problem. As basements can sometimes be damp, invest in a good dehumidifier to avoid any damage.
Spare Bedrooms as Home Offices
If you’ve got the room, this is the best solution. There will be plenty of room for a desk, bookshelves, and whatever else the business may need. There will be electrical outlets, easy access for phone lines and computer cables, and natural light. A spare room will also have room to accommodate a few people in case there are business partners or meetings that need to be held. It’s also a great decorating opportunity.
Put an Office in the Closet
They don’t have a lot of space, but closets can be turned into simple home offices. Install shelves and a fold-down desk surface and voila! Home organizing stores, and larger home stores such as IKEA have chic and stylish versions. Obviously this idea isn’t suited to larger businesses, but for household management and simple, small businesses, it’s a cinch. Best of all, the door can be closed when the work is done.
Work in the Family Room
Stay connected with the family by keeping the home office where the action is. It’s comfortable, but there’s little privacy. Try to set aside a corner where office materials won’t get mixed up with the flotsam and jetsam of everyday life.
Garage Offices
Garages have several pros and cons. They’re a large space and provide privacy, however they need to be insulated and made weather-tight. Security measures will have to be made if expensive equipment is being kept inside. And of course, if cars are being kept there as well, use caution and don’t run over the computer!
When planning where to put a home office there are certain things that must be taken into consideration. Space, privacy, access to electrical outlets, security, and many other factors will determine the best place for a home office. Think long and hard about what the office requires as well as what will suit the rest of the home best.
