If you are just starting a business from home or working from home regularly, you might be struggling with home office space and storage. It is important that you separate your living and resting space from your work one, or you will end up working in front of the TV until midnight (or in my case be up early, slouched on the sofa with a laptop – I’m not a night owl). Ideally, your home office will have a door that you can close behind you after you have finished with all your work. Ours doesn’t which is one of the reasons that we are looking to move in the not-too-distant future. Not everyone can up and move though. Below you will find a few ideas on where to look for space in your home to start your or run your business.
Basement Home Office
If you have a basement that you are not using, this is an obvious choice. You will need to take care of the insulation, the heating, and the lighting first though. Talk to a professional on how to convert your basement into a home office and have all the facilities you need to make the space work for you. Provided there was a way to guarantee enough air and light in a basement, I’d be ok with that.
Loft
Another budget-friendly solution is converting your loft into an office. You can have your separate space, and it will be much quieter than on the corner of the sofa or in a spare bedroom. You might need planning permissions, though, and it is a good idea to talk to Empire Lofts about your plans and get everything arranged; from electricity to heating and lighting, as well as access to your space.
Garage
Most of us are using our cars every day, and storing it in the garage simply doesn’t make sense. If you are currently only using your garage for storage, you can transform it into a great space that is insulated, bright, and inspiring. Focus on floor insulation, especially if your garage is detached from the home. Replace the windows and doors, and use secondary glazing sheets to keep you warm during the winter. Your own home office, separate but with the convenience of being at home at the same time. I like it!
Conservatory
Most of us love the conservatory in the summer, as we can entertain our guests there and enjoy some bright sunshine. However, you can add extra comfort and insulation to your conservatory to make it suitable for work all year round. The natural light will make this space a perfect office.
Under Stairs Storage
While this is not the ideal home office, you can use your under stairs storage to hold your fold-down chair and desk. Whenever the kids come home from school, you can just remove yourself from the living room, provided that you are not finished yet. There are plenty of great ideas for storage and furniture that will fit your tiny space initially. Harry Potter managed perfectly well under the stairs so there’s no reason why you can’t work from home under the stairs in the right space.
Working from home can be challenging. One of the main problems you will face is that you want to keep your work and home life separate. With some savvy thinking and a modest budget many homes can incorporate a home office that will give you the space and the privacy you need. Sadly our current home just doesn’t offer these opportunities (the attic is a full bedroom and we have no cellar) so we’ll be moving. What about you though? Do you have a home office tucked away somewhere clever?
