Janet is pulling on her jacket and grabbing her briefcase and keys in a mad rush
for the front door. Jim is letting the dog out, pouring a cup of coffee, and
heading down a back hallway of his house. Which one is going to work? They both
are!
Home offices are becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity with more
people telecommuting or running their own businesses from their house. The
number of Americans who work from home is in the millions, and with the rising
cost of gas and increased traffic causing longer commutes, that number is
likely to grow even more every year.
Work space is no longer relegated just to the kitchen table or a corner of the
guest bedroom; it has been promoted to a room of its own in the home. A 2007 consumer preferences survey by the National Association of Home Builders
found that a home office was the third most desired specialty room, following
the laundry and dining rooms, respectively.
If you are looking to create a home office, or revamp an existing one, keep the
following points in mind:
Separate your space. Although you are physically working in the house, it is
important to set up your home office so that the lines between your home life
and your work life do not get blurred. By creating a barrier, you will be less
tempted to take a television break in the middle of your work day or work on
spreadsheets when you are supposed to be “home from the office.”
Design your office to match your work style. When choosing the furniture and
layout of your office, make sure if fits the way you choose to work. For
example, if you believe in “a place for everything and everything in its place,” be sure to allot enough space for adequate storage and file cabinets. If you
work on several different projects, set up separate, smaller work stations
dedicated to each task.
Show off your style. There is no such thing as “one design fits all.” While one person may prefer the look of dark woods and rich colors, someone
else may favor a more whimsical look with bright colors and clean lines. This
is your chance to bring in designs and items that best reflect your personality
and interests. Don’t be restricted by what you think a home office should look like. Make it your
own since you will be the one spending the most time there.
Make it comfortable. When choosing the furniture and amenities for your office,
make sure that you are physically comfortable and that your work space is
conducive to productivity. Your chair should be adjustable with adequate seat
cushioning. Add a couch or armchair to the room to allow for additional seating
for guests or to provide a place to read away from your desk. Install recessed
lighting which is less harsh, and buy smaller desktop lights focused on task
areas that are used for reading and writing to reduce eye strain.
For more helpful tips on how to make your home office best fit your style,
contact the GHBA at 281-970-8970 or visit the National Association of Home
Builders online at www.nahb.org/forconsumers.
David Gordon
Whitestone Builders
