Creating a Home Office

These days, millions of people work from home thanks to innovative technology. In fact, over 20 million Americans telecommute for work at least part-time. This number is only expected to grow as technology advances. While there are pros and cons to everything, working from home presents more advantages than disadvantages. That explains why so many employees prefer telecommuting over hopping in their car and driving to an office.

Many residential architects are building home offices in new homes and in remodeling projects. A home office is a great way to add value to your home as well as functionality. If you’re thinking of creating your own home office, here are some things that you should consider:

One of the most difficult decisions is where to put the home office. Finding the right spot for your office can be a challenge. Some homeowners like to put their home office in the kitchen—the center hub of the house. Others prefer to create an office in a spare bedroom or the basement. If you choose the basement as the location, you need to make sure the space is absolutely dry. Also consider a private entrance for your home office for extra privacy.

Make technology available in the office. The whole point of working from home instead of the office is to be able to replicate what is available at the headquarters. This means that you need the correct wiring for voice communication, wireless setup, etc. Most homes that were built in the last few years have advanced wiring known as Category 5.

Make use of all available space. There will probably be plenty of wall space in your home office, and don’t be intimidated to use it. You can have bookcases and shelves from the floor to the ceiling if you choose. Don’t worry so much about aesthetics if you need lots and lots of storage space.

Be sure the electrical system is up to par. If you live in an older home with older wiring, there is the potential for power surges that can result in fires. If you need to upgrade the wiring, don’t put it off. Hire an electrician to make certain the system can handle the demands of your home office.

Paint the walls a motivating color. For some, yellow or red gets them motivated to work. Others perform better surrounded by calm blue walls. Choose a color that you love and that will motivate you. And don’t worry about what others think—it’s YOUR home office!

Creative Ways to Use Your Basement

A full basement foundation may be quite expensive, but it is well-worth the money you spend on it. Unlike a crawlspace alternative, a full basement provides great returns on your investment. In fact, a well-built basement can actually increase the value of your home when it is time to sell.

It’s not just about long term financial gains. Your basement will pay you back in several other ways as well.

Climate

Basements tend to be cool during the hot summer months and warm during the winter months. Since the basement is naturally insulated from heat and cold, you will not have to spend much money on cooling and heating. Because of its temperate climate, the basement is a great place to spend the day when it gets too hot or cold.

Peace and Quiet

Need some peace and quiet? The basement is a great place to escape into. Alternatively, you can move the exercise room or your children's playroom into the basement. This will make the upstairs quieter.

More Space

The basement is also a great place to accommodate your home office. Since many homes are now built on smaller lots, expanding down is better than expanding out.

Basements are no longer dark and dreary. While they are still prone to moisture and flooding problems, latest moisture prevention technologies have made them more livable. In addition, effective basement water barrier products are available nowadays. They can be installed fast and allows people to enjoy a dry and ready-to-use basement.

Because of these waterproofing techniques, your basement can be used in almost endless ways. Here are some ideas for using your basement.

The basement is perfectly suitable for housing certain kinds of rooms.

Media room

You can create an entertainment room in the basement because it is a secluded place. A dark basement is particularly suitable for housing a media room.

Activity room

Your basement can house a children's playroom or a home workshop. It can even house your private gym. The basement is easily accessible; still it is out of the way. By using the basement in innovative ways, you can free up valuable space upstairs.

Wine cellar

The temperate climate inside the basement makes it ideal for storing wine. So include a wine cellar in your basement plans if you are a wine connoisseur.

Laundry room

Consumers now demand more out of the laundry room. Since the basement has easy access to water and drainage, it is a great place for housing your laundry room.

Recreation room

Homeowners often don't mind experimenting with colors and other design elements in their basements. You can build a fully outfitted recreation room in the basement. You should also consider adding a pool table and other fun accessories. If the basement opens to the patio or the backyard, it can also be suitable for entertaining guests on a warm summer day.

Home spa

This might sound a bit unconventional, but the quiet and the peace of the basement make it a great place to accommodate a sauna.

Several homeowners are including a full basement in their house plan because of the many benefits of having one. Gone are the days when basements were synonymous with flooding. Now they have become an integral part of the family living space.