Working remotely has fast become permanent for many in the workforce and business owners alike. When designing your custom home build, you may want to consider these design features when you work from home.
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Space
When designing your work-from-home space, consider the functionality of the workable space available. Do you work better in a wide-open floor plan, or are you more content in a smaller space with doors to limit distractions, noise, and foot traffic in the home?
Do you need a designated office, or is a corner at your kitchen table going to be more functional for your needs? When you are designing your work-from-home space, consider how your needs may change over the long term.
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Lighting
When combining home living with your workspace, it is important to avoid cabin fever by making sure you have adequate lighting. Poor lighting can reduce your productivity by dampening your mood, reducing your energy, and increasing eye strain.
You can increase the available lighting in your home design with strategically placed windows, standard skylights, tubular skylights, light fixtures, and task lighting.
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Comfortability
The truth is, if you are not comfortable in your workspace, you will work from another area in your home whenever possible. Consider the features that will keep your space the most comfortable for you. Will you work best at a desk, table, or even a couch? Make sure that you include enough space in your design to accommodate everything that you will need to keep your space comfortable and productive.
Also, keep in mind how to make your space comfortable for any clients that may be coming to your home office.
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Natural Materials
Whenever possible include natural materials such as wood, stone, cotton, and wool in your work-from-home design. Natural materials create a calm and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere, increasing productivity and an overall sense of well-being.
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Organization
A cluttered environment can lower your work productivity. Keeping your workspace organized will lower any unnecessary stressors, keep you from missing vital information, and help you stay focused throughout the day. Built-ins are a great way to maximize the workable space in your home and can provide you with the solution for staying organized. Shelving, cabinets, desks, closets, and bookshelves can provide you with adequate storage solutions. Your home designer can help you plan the best built-ins for your space, giving a lavish feel to your custom space.
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Functionality
Your space needs to work for you, not against you. When designing your work-from-home space it is important to think about where your outlets will be, the internet reliability, and phone connection. Planning for these design elements will help you avoid any hassle in the future when you want to work from a specific location in your home.
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Focus areas
Consider everything that you will be accomplishing in your workspace. If your workload requires a wide range of tasks, make sure that you include enough space to meet your goals. If you are sharing your workspace with other members of the family, or other functions in the household, include designated space for those situations without sacrificing your daily workload.
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A splash of color
While a warm neutral color pallet can be a pleasing environment for your work-at-home space, don’t underestimate the power of a splash of color. Choosing a color that motivates you and adding this color via accessories and accent pieces can boost your mood throughout the day.
Keeping the energy up by the influence of your atmosphere will increase your productivity.
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Considering these eight design features will maximize the look, feel, and functionality of your work-from-home space.