Do you have a basement, and how do you use it? If you are like other homeowners who use the basement for storage or rarely go to the basement because it is unfinished, you are missing out on a lot. If you work from home or plan on operating your company from home, creating a home office is the best decision you can make. Needless to say, there is no better place to start a home office than in your neglected basement.
The convenience of working from home and in an office you have designed yourself is fantastic. Transforming your basement into an office is impressive because you will enjoy the freedom of creating an office that matches your style perfectly. But why would you need a basement office? What are the benefits?
Benefits of a Basement Office
Home offices are proving to drive success for business owners. As a result, home offices have become one of the most popular basement renovation ideas that homeowners consider. This is because, unlike other renovations, having a basement office provides you with an income. That is, however, not the only benefit you get from having a home office. Other popular benefits of transforming your basement into a home office include the following.
Increased living space
A basement that is unfinished often ends up being wasted space. Renovating the basement into a home office increases the livable space in your home. This is because you will have a fully functional home office which will in turn boost the value of your home. When you sell your home, the new owner does not necessarily need to use the space as a home office. They can change up the furniture and transform it into a bedroom or anything they want. Having a renovated basement will make your home more attractive to buyers when you want to sell it.
More freedom
There is nothing more exciting than being able to work on your schedule and not having to rush to work and sit for hours in traffic. With a home office, you just need to go to your office when you are ready to work. You can work for as many hours as you want without dealing with the hassle of commuting to work.
Still on the freedom, having a home office helps you have a tranquil area where you can work without distractions. This is more so if you have kids. You can soundproof the basement office as well as lock the door. Your family will know not to bother you while you are working.
Flexibility
The problem with commuting to work is that a lot of time is wasted. At the end of the day, you are too worn out to spend time with your family. A home office helps deal with this problem. Being able to work from home will enable you to be close to your children. You will be able to give them the help they need because you will always be available.
Professional setting
Working from the sitting room sofa is simply unprofessional. It is even more unattractive when you have meetings with clients. Creating a home office will get rid of this problem. This is because when you video call with clients, they will see that you are in a real office. You can also take meetings to the office when clients come over. This makes everything more professional, and you will be able to win clients’ confidence even more.
How to Design a Basement Office
Your basement office design can be as elaborate as you want. You can implement all your preferences. To get the best return on your investment, there are a few things you have to do before you get started.
Plan the office layout
Regardless of how big or small the basement space is, it is imperative that you play the layout of your office early. It is never a great idea to start arranging things at the last minute. To maximize your new office’s space and design, you must consider all the equipment you will need in your office during the planning stage. Make a list of all the essentials, including computers, printers, chairs and electrical supply.
Leave some room for expansion
Do you want to operate the business from the home office for years to come or plan to move to a dedicated office later on? This question will help you know how much space you should leave for future expansion. If you plan on using the basement office as your headquarters and plan on hiring additional employees, you should leave room for this type of expansion.
Be creative
You don’t want to end up with a dull office. You need to create the best first impression by being fancy with the office design. Add wall accents as well as décor that matches the branding of your business.
Plan the entrance
The entrance is the first thing clients see when they visit your office. You need to have a convenient way of getting into your office. A walkout door will be a great idea.
Have an organized storage
A cluttered office will give the wrong impression. Install custom shelving and storage solutions to file your documents. The idea is to keep the office neat and easy to navigate.
Lighting is crucial
Basements don’t get a lot of natural light. You need to install appropriate lighting. Bright, energy-efficient lights will be great. Adding LED light strips can make the basement more aesthetic.
Consider the placement of electrical outlets
Outlet placement will help with the organization of wires — position electronics closer to the outlets to prevent cord hazards.
Creating a basement home office is the best investment you can make if you work from home. The most important thing you need to do is hire the best basement renovation contractors to help with the project. The right contractor will ensure you have a refined design and make sure you meet all building codes.