For many, working at home can offer peace of mind, and an improvement in comfort, well-being, and productivity. This is likely why there has been an increase in remote work over the last decade.
While COVID-19 played a role in the increase in work-at-home jobs, there was already a rising interest before the virus swept the nation.
For those new to working at home, you may have a makeshift office set up, which can help you get your job done but may also not be ideal. If you already have a dedicated workspace, you may consider a remodel to optimize the area.
Either way, we can help you learn more about work-at-home trends, when to invest in a home office remodel, the must-have features, and remodeling mistakes to avoid.
The work-at-home trend
While working remotely has been a trend for quite some time, the most recent increase from the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how people view work-at-home jobs.
In the past, remote jobs had a bad reputation. People felt working from home would lead to more distractions, less productivity, and disorganization.
Managers felt that to maintain their employee’s production, they needed to keep an eye on them.
However, after many were forced to work from home to help slow the spread of COVID-19, managers and employers saw that remote work is practical and can increase employee satisfaction. With technological advancements, many can work from almost anywhere.
Video conferencing makes it possible to communicate with employers, employees, clients, and customers, at any time, in real-time. Many other software applications have helped employees collaborate and work together, even from different locations.
Though remote work does require some self-discipline. That’s why a dedicated workspace can help to improve productivity.
When it’s time for a home office remodel
Considering how important your work and home environments are, it may be time for a remodel.
Not only do you want a dedicated workspace, but a space where you can maintain productivity and—and a work/life balance.
Remote work makes it tempting to work during your downtime, but having space to work that’s separate from the rest of your home can help you maintain that separation.
Additionally, it may have been years since you built your home office and it looks outdated, dark, and dingy. It could be time to spruce things up and modernize the space.
You want your workplace to be comfortable, ergonomic, and functional. Even if you’re only working with a small area in your home, a designer can help you achieve the look and feel of the environment you want to work in.
Must-have features in your home office
Do you find yourself tired, stressed, or disorganized while working? Adding new light fixtures, letting in some natural light, and adding custom cabinets or shelves can change all of that. But those are just a few examples, let’s look into the best features for your home office and how they can help you.
Custom cabinets
Customized cabinets are an essential feature for every home office. To stay organized and prevent clutter, everything must have a place to go. When you invest in custom cabinets, you can install them in even the most challenging spaces.
Good lighting
Poor lightning can affect your eyesight, production, and mood. Natural light is the best, but when the sun is not shining, you may need overhead lighting and lamps.
A combination of the three can prevent headaches, reduce eyestrain, and lift your mood.
Furniture that compliments your home
Before purchasing furniture, consider your specific taste and what the rest of your home looks like.
If the style of your home is modern, you may want to consider a contemporary office with artwork and metal furniture. If you have a more traditional home, warm wood furniture and soft, comfy chairs may work well in your office.
A comfortable chair
Since you will be spending a lot of time in your office, you want to invest in a comfortable and ergonomically correct chair.
A great chair can offer comfort, help you maintain the proper posture, and prevent back and neck pains.
A splash of color
Adding color to your office can increase your mood and productivity. White and beige walls can feel dull and don’t help much with creativity.
Include bright colors to improve your mood and get your mind going. Or maybe you need calming colors to help you relax and focus. However you feel, customize the space with colors you’ll enjoy looking at for the majority of your workdays.
Vertical and horizontal shelving
To make the most of your home office, you will want to use every bit of space. This is especially important if you have a small workspace.
To use this technique, you can install custom cabinets, bookshelves, and floating shelves or use metal or wood cube storage.
Plants
Investing in plants can keep you and the air in your home office healthy. They’re a great addition to any design plan.
Snake plants, zanzibar gems, spider plants, peace lilies, dracaena massangeana, and devil’s ivy are a few plants that can purify your air and increase your mood and overall health.
6 mistakes to avoid during your home office remodel
Redoing any space can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t do it often. Try not to fall into these common working-from-home traps.
Setting up a workspace in your bedroom
Your bedroom should be a place for relaxation. Doing work in your bed or bedroom can affect your sleep quality and make you less productive when you should be working. This is why a separate space dedicated to only work is necessary. Even in the midst of your remodel, consider working from the library or a cafe during that time instead.
Picking a noisy area
You may only have so many options available in your home to make your workspace. But your office should be as far away from distractions as possible, preferably in the back of your house or in a basement, away from kids’ bedrooms or playrooms, away from windows with a lot of outside noise, etc.
Not enough storage
Every home office should have drawers, a filing cabinet, and shelving to prevent clutter. Without places to put your papers, office supplies, and accessories, your office can become disorganized, leading to a cluttered space—and mind.
Cluttered background
If your job requires video conferences, you’ll want to be sure that your background looks professional and appealing. Forgetting to tidy up and organize the area behind you can distract others and make you look unprofessional.
You may also want to maintain the privacy of your home. Consider this when you’re redesigning. Positioning your desk and computer to face a wall rather than the door or any other area may be best. Then you can even look at some fun, but non-distracting wall art to include.
Not giving yourself privacy
While the best way to provide yourself with privacy is to work from a room with a door, that isn’t always possible.
If you cannot dedicate an entire room to a home office, opt for a room divider. A barrier can help you mentally separate your office from your living area and let others know when to give you privacy.
Not using awkward spaces
Designers can measure your awkward spaces so that you can use all the space you have. Placing customized cabinets in these spaces can satisfy your storage needs and make your room look better.
Should you hire a designer for your home office remodel?
When you’re ready to remodel your home office, a designer can help you choose products, materials, furniture pieces, decorations, and accessories.
You may already have a vision, but a designer’s experience and knowledge can help guide you toward realistic design goals.
If you’re unsure of what you want your home office to look like when completed, you can find ideas by visiting a home office showroom.
Regardless of your budget or the size of your office, a designer can help you turn it into a cozy and productive work space, using custom cabinets and high-quality products.
Learn more about how Uniq Concepts customize homes and the products we use.
When you are ready to remodel your home office, reach out to one of our professionals in Fairfield, NJ.