Up until recently, most home remodels were planned out of need. Homes become outdated, suffer leaks, look ugly, or just need a fresh look. Lately, many people decide to remodel their homes to create space to work at home. Some older homes have office space. But most new homes don’t. Plus, most families are not just big but all members busy with various activities. No wonder most basements are finished to offer extra space for a gym, storage, guests, and all sorts of activities. Even those, who over the years decided to transform their garage into an office, only meant to find some peace and quiet away from the family routine – not work full time. Now, this has become the norm.
With covid, the number of people working at home increased dramatically. Those who lost their work tried to find other ways to make a living – online. They all need a home office now. Plus, some need extra space for a gym or other activities they used to do outside up until the virus caught up with our lives. Even now that the social distancing requirements have loosened up, many people still work at home. And many managers prefer that the majority of their employees continue to work at home. But there’s a problem. Or, two. Or, more.
· There’s usually no actual space for working at home.
· The disruptions are plenty at home and that burdens productivity.
· While managers don’t want to see productivity loss and employees can’t afford to lose their job due to reduced productivity, homes are made for leisure; not work. Still, employees need to find a way to work at home and keep their productivity levels high to keep managers happy and their job intact.
To increase productivity at home, you must bring office habits to the home
Before you consider what home improvements you need to boost work
productivity once again, think of what kept you going in the office all these years. There’s no doubt that the office environment is not the same as the environment at home. When you were going to the office, you got dressed for the office, nobody disturbed you while you were at work, and you had the technology and all means required to do the job. Your environment was a workplace and not a home with sofas, a kitchen island, toys on the floor, and a TV set. When you were in the office, you talked with colleagues, set targets, got organized, and had a work schedule.
Now the easy way to get all that back but this time at home is to create a replica office at home. Think of all the things you need in order to work as if you were in the office, depending on the nature of your work. Most likely, you need a room where you can set up the office and all things you need in it – computers, printers, an ergonomic chair, a desk, et cetera. With all these things you need in mind, it’s time to talk with a home remodeler.
Home remodeling tips to work in peace – hence, boost productivity
Half the job is to find the right space. Since you don’t want disruptions and noises, prefer the basement, the garage, or other remote parts of the house. If your house is not huge or your family is huge, ask your home remodeling contractor for solutions.
Sometimes, a big living room can be split into two parts with the installation of drywall. The important thing is to have a space used only for the purpose of your job. If both spouses work at home and you need two offices but have no space, see if you can share the same room with two desks or partitions.
To feel like you were in the office, it’s best to create a similar environment or better. For example, focus on how well the room is illuminated. Find a corner close to a window or another opening that will make your work pleasant but the sun’s brightness won’t disturb your work on the computer – keep the sun on your back or to the side.
Ask your home remodeler to create space within space
One of the most effective ways to boost productivity is to take short breaks. During these 5-minute breaks, you may need to stretch, do some yoga, or walk up and down. What you don’t want to do is talk about other people’s problems, watch TV, or do anything that will take your mind away from work. And so, it’s best to have some room in the home office to walk. If there’s enough space in your home, you can create a small gym right next to the office where you can blow some steam off.
Today, there is a sea of ideas, materials, and ways to make your home renovation work in favor of your job’s productivity. By having the right workplace at home, you’ll be back combing your hair, dressing properly, waking up early, and getting in the mood for work before you know it. You’ll see.