As a result of the pandemic, more people are working from home than ever before. Many offices realized they did not need to spend money on office space when they could have all their staff working from home. Others have scaled down and are now only requiring staff to come in on specific days, literally able to use half the space by staggering their workforce throughout the week regarding who is working from home and who has to come into the office.
Many people realized during this time that a chair at the kitchen table or breakfast bar does not work for a remote worker. You need a desk, printer, shelving, storage, etc. You need a space away from the everyday hustle and bustle of the home to concentrate on work and keep the outside noise away.
To that point, as you design your custom-built home, there are a few key ingredients to consider to ensure you are successful:
- Dedicated workspace
- Natural lighting
- Comfort
- Technical upgrades
- Soundproofing
- Personalization
Dedicated Workspace – there is a reason we have this atop the list, and that is because to work from home successfully, you have to have an office space that is off-limits to everyone else. This is literally your work office, so people should not be knocking on the door or coming and going as they please.
Natural Lighting – as someone who often works from home, I can tell you that natural lighting goes a long way to making your workday more enjoyable. Having windows in the room not only allows for natural light, but it also enhances the mood. The key here is to know the layout of the office before adding the windows, as you will not want the natural light to impact your computer screen.
Comfort – to be blunt… don’t be cheap here. You are going to literally spend about a third of your entire week in this room, so you want comfortable equipment. Visit office supply stores to actually sit in a chair to make sure it is comfortable. Splurge on a desk with enough workspace to hold everything you need without appearing cluttered. Consider adding a couch or recliner where you can get away from the desk and relax for a few minutes when you want to take a break.
You should also consider adding things like a fridge and coffee pot to the office, which may require that a countertop, cabinet, and small pantry be added to the room. Do you really want to get up to go to the kitchen every time you need a cold drink or a cup of coffee?
Technical Upgrades – smart technology has come a long way in recent years, and your office should make use of this. Consider hardwiring your computer to the internet and wireless capabilities to avoid lags. Set up a dedicated office line using VOIP technology.
Soundproofing – this is to keep noise out, not protect everyone else from the noise in the office, as you would for a music studio. If you can hear the hustle and bustle of the home outside the office, it will be a distraction, which defeats the purpose of having a home office in the first place. Have a system in place with your spouse and children for “in case of emergency,” but make it clear that when you are in that office, you are working and cannot be disturbed.
Personalize Your Space – since you are going to be spending so much time in the office, truly make it your space. We all have moments where we need to “look away” from work for a few minutes to refresh our brain, so put décor in the office that will make you feel good about the space. If you love the outside, add some plants. If you are a sports fan, put some of your collectibles out. I think you probably get the idea I am shooting for here.
Now, this may sound a bit off, but you may also want to consider adding some exercise equipment to the room for when you get a brain freeze. For instance, I have a Peloton and some small workout equipment in the corner of my office. When I lock up, I literally do a quick workout to get the brain flowing again.
If you are looking for more ideas on different features for your Oregon custom-built home or need help with your residential construction project, Better Build Now can help. You can check out our blog for ideas (click here), check out our managed residential construction services, or give us a call at 888-402-4180.