Image Pexels CC0 License
If you plan to work from home for the foreseeable future, you may be keen to improve your setup. While working at the kitchen table may have been fine for the first part of last year’s lockdown, you may now be keen to create a designated area for work. Creating a specific room in your home to use for work has many benefits. A specifically designed work from home space will be far more comfortable than using the kitchen table and a dining chair as your desk. You will also avoid everyday distractions when you have a separate workplace, so no more interrupted Zoom calls! But, one of the most crucial changes is the ability to switch off at the end of the day and relax. When you have a separate area for your work, it becomes easier to separate home life from work life and create a more harmonious balance. If your home has a basement, this provides the ideal candidate for your new workspace. Here are some ideas to transform your basement into a useable home office:
Make it Useable
If your basement is more storage space than a useable room at the moment, you may need to spend some time preparing the space and having a clearout. Once you have moved the stuff out of the room, you need to prepare the basement ready to decorate. The priority is checking the cellar has ventilation, is watertight, and can retain a comfortable temperature. If the basement is not insulated already, you may want to consider doing this to ensure it is a comfortable place to work all year. You may also need to treat areas of the basement with products such as RIW cementseal to ensure it is waterproof.
Practical Considerations
A new office that is not fit for purpose could become more annoying than working at your kitchen table. While the practicalities may not be the most fun part of this project, it is crucial to get it right to avoid frustrations in the future. Checking you have enough power points for your office equipment and your internet speed is fast enough for you to work with in the basement is essential.
Add Some Light
If your basement has a window, this can be a significant bonus as it allows you to enjoy the benefits of natural light in your new office. However, if you don’t have natural light in the room, there are plenty of ways you can make the space brighter. Choosing paint colours to reflect the light and make the room seem more spacious is a great starting point. You may also want to select office furniture that is lighter in colour to avoid making the room seem darker. Your final step is to choose the finishing touches for your new office. As this is your office space, it provides you with the opportunity to inject your personality into the room with artwork and decorative pieces that lift your mood and bring you happiness.
