A growing number of people are deciding to add an office to their homes. When working with an older home or a home that otherwise was not designed to have a home office; you have to find a space in the house that can be converted into the home office space you desire. For most people, the best option is to simply use a bedroom and make a few changes. In fact, with a few simple steps, it is actually quite easy to learn how to convert a bedroom in a home office.
Checking on Space
Before you start converting the bedroom into a home office, you need to make certain it is large enough to house your home office equipment. In most cases, a bedroom will be big enough for a home office.
Nonetheless, you should make certain you have the space you need for all of your desk and home office equipment. Don’t forget that you will also need room to move around in the office.
Ideally, you should be able to set up your main workspace so that you can easily reach files and other pieces of office equipment that you might need to use. Therefore, checking on the space is about more than just making sure there is plenty of room, it is also about making certain dimensions of the room are easy to work with.
Internet Connection
If you are like most people, you are going to want to have Internet access from within your home office. Therefore, unless you have a wireless network with a router set up elsewhere in your house, you will need to install a phone jack or cable outlet in your new office space. That way, you can easily connect to the Internet.
Be certain to plan out where your main workstation will be located so you don’t have to worry about stringing your line over a long distance. You should also consider whether or not you want to add a fax machine or a phone line to your office. Even if you don’t want those items now, it is a good idea to plan for them in case you decide to add them later.
Storage Solutions
Every office needs a lot of great storage to help keep things organized. First, start with the closet and decide whether you’ll need to build custom shelving or if you can purchase out of the box storage solutions at your local office supply or home improvement store. You’ll also need to consider getting a file cabinet and more shelving near your desk for easy access to your books or magazines.
Lighting Considerations
Every office needs good lighting to help keep things bright. Having a dark office can make things a little depressing. For maximum productivity, keep things well lit. You’ll want to consider having good overhead lighting, task lighting, and possible some floor lamps to help create an even flow of light throughout the office.
Choosing the Right Color Paint
Stick to lighter neutral or vibrant colors for your home office. Like poor lighting, darker colors can make things a little dreary which can impact your productivity while in your home office.
