Putting up a new office in your home can be challenging especially when it comes to deciding on where to put it. However, you might find yourself in a situation where you have no option but to look into the basement compared to any other available spaces.
The basement can make the best spot for your office at home especially because of the seclusion it provides from your family members as well as the conducive environment it provides. However, if you have never used the basement as an office, do you know what to do to convert the basement into a cozy office?
Here are the guidelines.
Think About Heat Insulation
When working in your basement, light is one of the obvious problems. However, heat can be a problem too. You, therefore, need to spend some time in the basement to establish if you have any problems with the air conditioner temperature or heat in the basement.
If your basement is too cold or too hot, you might have to think about using heat insulation products such as Astragals to minimize the loss of heat or prevent any heat from entering the basement.
This will help you in getting a conducive environment for your home office.
Assess The Basement
Now that you have made the basement conducive for an office, you need to assess it to make sure that it is also conducive for office basics such as heating and lighting, storage needs, communication lines such as the Internet and phone network, office equipment such as fax machines and computers and furniture among others.
Get The Basement Inspected
Since you will be spending the better part of the day in the basement working, then you need to make sure that it is properly inspected.
Get a professional to check if the room has any leaks or other problems that would create a disturbance when working. After that, ensure that repairs are done and any waterproofing measures implemented before any other work starts.
Think About Noise
Since you might be living with your family members, you need to think about noise especially if you have children. When planning the office, it is a good idea to have it at the far end of the basement not close to noisy rooms such as media and playrooms.
To get more creative, you can install sound insulation materials and use foam insulation for the basement walls to soundproof your home office.
Separate Entrance
You might want to be receiving clients at your home office. This means that you need to think about coming up with a different entrance to the office. You do not need to have people coming to your office through your house.
However, you need to ensure that you have followed regulations and business codes in your areas to ensure that you are allowed to conduct business from your home.
Do Not Start Any Constructive Work Before Planning The Floor Layout
You need to make sure that you have planned the floor layout of the basement before starting any constructive work. The best way of doing this is by measuring the space that you have, getting your furniture in, and organizing it well.
It is important to consider the access points to make sure that your furniture will not interfere and will fit well in the room.
Technology: Wire The Office
You will be using a lot of office equipment in the basement office, some of which will need power sources while others will need access to the internet.
You, therefore, need to carefully wire the office and make sure that you have power and internet source points around the office. These points should not be blocked by your furniture.
Kitchenette and Bathroom
Even though not mandatory, you need to think about adding a kitchenette and/or a bathroom in your basement office.
This is important when it comes to keeping you on track as you work since you will be able to avoid interacting with other family members.
You can also use these amenities if you are allowing clients in your office, ensuring that they do not use your family bathroom.
Invest in Proper Lighting
Finally, it is important to invest in proper lighting for your basement office. One thing to note is that lighting plays a very essential role in your office. It also can affect your energy levels, productivity, and mood.
You can consult an interior designer to get guidelines on the best types of lights to have in your office or follow lighting trends and ideas for your office. Additionally, think about task-specific lights for your work area.
In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed so many people to work from home. If you are one of those and have been wondering where to set up your office, then you can follow the guidelines in this article to convert your basement into a cozy office.
