Separating your work tasks from the rest of your life is necessary for your mental health. It has been seen that working from your bed or couch can actually have a negative effect on your productivity. Your sleep quality decreases, your posture worsens, and you have a lower level of energy overall. Don’t take that risk. Create a home office so that you have a dedicated space to work. With Austin remodeling and design experts, it’s easy to get your balance back on in a comfortable—and healthier—space. Keep reading to find out more about how to amp up your remote working environment.
Use Soundproofing to Minimize Distractions
The point of having a home office is to have an area where you can focus. You can’t achieve this if you are dealing with all of the other goings-on in your household. Over the summer, this could mean the sound of your kids playing in the room next door. If you have virtual meetings to attend, this may be a distraction. Luckily, there are ways to get around this with noise-reducing materials and objects.
Start at the front of your office with the door. Oftentimes, homeowners opt for hollow-core doors because they are more affordable. The issue is that they don’t block sound well. So, invest in a solid door when you partner with an Austin remodeling and design company. For additional noise dampening, you can seal the space around your door. Use durable weatherstripping. This is a great tool for around your home. It won’t just help with soundproofing, but it will also prevent air leaks and, thus, lower your energy bills.
Another good idea is to install acoustic panels on the walls of your home office. Bare walls create an echo chamber. But acoustic panels will absorb the sound because they make the walls thicker. You don’t have to use them on every wall of your office. Even just one wall is enough to keep the space quiet.
Get the Most Out of Your Storage
Don’t let your supplies turn into clutter! Keep everything as organized as possible so that you aren’t wondering where you left something or what you need to go pick up from the store. It can cause you undue stress. Any Austin remodeling and design professional will recommend that you differentiate work areas. That is to say, don’t leave your client files in your living room. They should stay confined to your office. And once they are in your office, they should have their specific place. Those client files can be put into a filing cabinet or organizer.
You can go with shelving, as well. Even if you aren’t interested in having built-in bookshelves for your storage, there are many ways for you to increase space. Install floating shelves above your desk, for instance. Take advantage of as much open, vertical wall space as you can. This will free up the number of objects that you have living on your desk.
Give Yourself Enough Room to Move
As with any room in your house, your office’s size is going to depend on what you plan to do with it. Not everyone decides to put several seating options in their office, but that may be something you appreciate. This way, you can go back and forth between your desk chair, couch, and beanbag. You don’t have to be confined to just the desk chair. Instead, you are given a better opportunity to remain comfortable throughout your workday.
Whether you are flipping a current room into a home office, building a new custom home, or tacking on an addition, you need to think about your needs. If you decide down the line that you would like to further expand your office space, it will be another expense. So, when you sit down with an Austin remodeling and design expert, let them guide you. They have seen a thing or two when it comes to these kinds of builds, so they can come up with the perfect blueprint that accounts for your workspace and storage.
On average, a home office for a full-time remote worker should be between 50 to 100 square feet. Some have found that up to 200 square feet work better for them, though. This could be true of your situation if you need several storage options or don’t work alone. Again, the sizing comes down to your daily routine.
Make Use of High-Quality Lighting
Natural light works wonders for helping us focus. It makes us happier in both mind and body. Plus, it’s a way to save money that you would have otherwise been spending on electricity. The warm lighting that the sun produces will absolutely improve your work environment and your utility bill. A floor-to-ceiling window brings forth this natural light while simultaneously adding design interest to your home office. It’s ideal to have this window in front of or next to where you work. Then, you get the chance to maximize your views of your beautiful yard without any glare.
On the topic of glare, you can also get it from overhead lights. That isn’t to say that you should never use overhead lights. They have their time and their place, such as pendants in your kitchen. But an Austin remodeling and design company will tell you that this isn’t favorable in an office space. By using lampshades and ambient lighting, you can mitigate the harshness that comes with non-natural lighting.
Showcase Your Personal Touches
Bring your home office to life with your signature style. Consider painting an accent wall in your favorite color. Alternately, you could go with one of the best colors for offices, according to Austin remodeling and design pros. Neutral shades of brown and green are known to create a non-distracting background. They keep your eyes from feeling fatigued. Various shades of blue can give you a sense of tranquility and peaceful balance. This aids in your focus while you are working.
Pick out furniture for your home office that goes well with your paint choices. Something to be aware of is that buying new furniture is a commitment. You shouldn’t turn around tomorrow and bring everything back. Instead, locate pieces that capture your attention for the best reasons. Find a desk and chair that you know you will enjoy spending your time, respectively, at and in. Having a workspace that doesn’t destroy your back is a must. You don’t want to be hunched over at your desk, day in and day out.
You also don’t want to have to keep leaving your office to get snacks throughout the day. However, you do want to make sure that you are getting up and moving enough. Being stuck in your chair for several hours out of the day isn’t good for your body across the board. It raises your risk of a variety of health concerns. So, incorporate an attractive station for coffee, tea, and or food. Make it like your personal break room area.
As a design-build Austin remodeling and design company, Bat City Builders is all about providing you with a personalized experience. We will keep you in the loop every step of the way as we create the perfect home office. That means you won’t be left in the dark when it comes to budgeting. Reach out to us about the needs for your new home office.
Photos, in order of appearance, by:
- Collov Home Design on Unsplash
- Pixabay on Pexels
- Visually Us on Pexels